Effect of etonogestrel implant on serum lipids, liver function tests and hemoglobin levels.
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to assess the possible effects of etonogestrel implant (Implanon, Organon, Oss, The Netherlands) on total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Hb levels in a sample of Turkish population.


METHODS
Healthy women of childbearing potential who had applied to our Family Planning Clinic for a contraceptive method and had chosen to have an Implanon insertion after thorough counseling about all family planning methods and screening for eligibility for Implanon use were enrolled in the study. Serum concentrations of TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, AST, ALT and Hb levels were tested before and at 3 and 6 months after insertion. Baseline mean parameters were compared with mean parameters at 3 and 6 months for statistical significance using paired-samples t test.


RESULTS
Eighty-two women eligible for the study were included. Mean age of the patients was 27.5+/-4.8 years. When compared to the baseline values, there was a statistically significant decrease in the TC (p<.001), HDL-C (p<.001) and TG (p=.006) at the end of the third month, while there was a significant increase in Hb values (p=.01). The decrease in TC (p=.001) and HDL-C (p<.001) and increase in Hb value (p=.03) persisted by the end of sixth month while the decrease in TG was transient. A statistically significant increase in mean ALT level was observed at 6 months (p=.03).


CONCLUSIONS
The effect of Implanon on liver functions and lipid metabolism does not lead to unhealthy alterations. Increase in Hb can be attributed to the high frequency of amenorrhea in patients.
Dilbaz
Berna
B
Family Planning Clinic, Etlik Zubeyde Hanim Women Health Teaching and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Ozdegirmenci
Ozlem
O
Caliskan
Eray
E
Dilbaz
Serdar
S
Haberal
Ali
A
D000328:Adult; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000139:chemically induced; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017135:Desogestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004343:Drug Implants; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D013997:Time Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014421:Turkey; D055815:Young Adult
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D004343:Drug Implants; D006454:Hemoglobins; D008055:Lipids; D014280:Triglycerides; C044815:etonogestrel; D017135:Desogestrel; D002784:Cholesterol