[Comparison of the effects of orally or percutaneously administered estradiol on carbohydrates and lipids after the menopause].

The metabolic changes in carbohydrate (fasting blood sugar and blood sugar levels two hours after taking 70 g of glucose orally as well as insulin and glycosylated A1c haemoglobin) and also lipid metabolism as total and fractional HDL, triglycerides and alphaprotein B, were compared in 43 patients of a mean age of 48.6 years who had hysterectomy with castration. These patients were divided into two random groups: the first group (23 women) received hormone replacement treatment in a dose of 1.5 mg of oestradiol percutaneously, the second group of 20 women received 2 mg of oestradiol specially prepared for oral administration. Biological control was carried out immediately after the treatment and 3 and 6 months later. It consisted of levels of carbohydrates and of lipids and of oestriol, oestradiol and FSH. Both treatments, whether percutaneous or oral, were similar in their beneficial action on the changes brought about by castration. When 17 Beta oestradiol was administered percutaneously a better control over the carbohydrate and lipid (triglyceride) metabolism was obtained. This confirms that when oestradiol is administered orally the same respect has to be given to the contrary indications to its administration and to controlling the metabolic effects as when any other form of oestrogen therapy is administered orally.