Clinical chemistry and pituitary response changes in Egyptian acceptors of L. Norgestrel six rods implants during the first year of use.

71 Egyptian women using Norplant contraceptive implants for 1 year were followed with laboratory testing of carbohydrate lipid and protein metabolism liver and kidney function tests serum iron and iron binding capacity and pituitary response to GnRH. The subjects were normal healthy fertile non-pregnant non-lactating women who had not used hormone for 6 months. There were no pregnancies. Most women complained of altered menstrual patterns. Some reported headache dizziness increased vaginal discharge nausea and pain at the insertion site. There was no significant change in fasting or post-prandial glucose or kidney function. Cholesterol decreased significantly at 3 months triglycerides fell at 3 and 12 months and HDL rose significantly at 3 and 12 months. SGPT fell significantly at 3 and 12 months. Total protein and albumin was significantly lower at 12 months. Serum iron and total iron binding capacity were significantly elevated at 3 and 12 months. Secretion of LH and FSH fluctuated around normal limits. The lipoprotein findings are discrepant from those reported from other developing countries in Norplant trials.