Effect of Norplant®-2 rods on liver, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism

Abstract

The effect of Norplant®-2 rods on liver, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism was evaluated in 100 women using Norplant®-2 rods. Besides a significant increase in serum bilirubin, there was no other obvious evidence to suggest any possible hepatocellular dysfunction with the use of Norplant®-2 rods. As regards lipid metabolism, decreases in total triglycerides, cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were initially seen. These parameters returned to their preinsertion mean at the end of five years. As a result, the value of the HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol - HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratios remained around their preinsertion value at the end of five years. All this appears to indicate that the use of Norplant®-2 rods is not directly contributory to cardiovascular risk. The use of Norplant®-2 rods was not associated with any significant effect on carbohydrate metabolism.