The doctor the pill and hyperlipidemias. Reflections concerning an investigation

Blood lipids were determined in 82 women about to become oral contraceptive users and nonusers 21 women taking sequential pills and 1067 women taking combined pills for 2 months to 6 years. Results were reported as number and percent above the normal limits taken as: 7 gm/liter for total lipids 2.6 gm/liter for total cholesterol and 1.5 gm/liter triglycerides. There were 4 cases of hypertriglyceridemia among the non-pill-users or 4.8% abnormal. The sequential pill users had 2 with high cholesterol 3 with high triglycerides and 1 with mixed hyperlipidemia or 30% abnormal. Those using combined pills had a total 6.2% abnormal including 28 (2.6%) with hypercholesterolemia 29 (2.7%) with hypertriglyceridemia and 10 (.9%) with mixed hyperlipidemia. The mixed hyperlipidemia is the most dangerous with respect to risk of thromboembolism. Women with abnormal blood lipids should take low-dose pills follow a low fat and carbohydrate diet and stop oral contraception if the levels are frankly abnormal.