Serum glycosylated proteins as a measure of carbohydrate metabolism in users of oral contraceptives

Women using oral contraceptives may display minor alterations in carbohydrate metabolism. Using the oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT) it has been demonstrated that currently used low-dose combination pills induce an increase in the insulin response. In addition it has been suggested that during long-term use of low-dose combination pills glucose tolerances deteriorate. The oGTT is not performed under physiological conditions, and so it is questionable as to whether such a test truly reflects the glucose metabolic state. Moreover, the results are often influenced by factors such as stress and diet. The amount of glycosylated protein in serum is at present considered a good index of glucose homeostasis during the fourteen days preceding blood sampling.