Serum estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone levels in Thai women post total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy using oral 17 beta-estradiol.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the difference of serum estradiol (E2) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in Thai women post total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy, before and after using a daily dose of 2 mg oral 17 beta-estradiol. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study (before and after treatment). SETTING: Menopause Clinic, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University. SUBJECTS: Thirty-five women who had undergone total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy at Chulalongkorn Hospital 1 week previously due to benign gynecologic conditions were recruited in the study. Body mass index was 20-25 kg/m2. These women had no contraindication for using hormonal replacement therapy and no history of any hormonal intake in the past. INTERVENTION: All subjects were assigned to receive a daily dose of 2 mg oral 17 beta-estradiol applied at bedtime (8.00 p.m.). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum E2 and FSH were measured before and after the study at weeks 4, 8 and 12, 12-14 hours after oral application. The hormonal measurement was performed using the time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (FIA) method. RESULTS: Five cases were excluded, three cases due to poor compliance which was less than 85 per cent and two cases due to loss to follow-up. Of the remaining 30 cases, the mean age and body mass index were 43.03 +/- 4.58 years and 22.72 + 1.86 kg/m2, respectively. Serum E2 level significantly increased from baseline value at 4, 8 and 12 weeks (median of E2 value at 0, 4, 8 and 12 weeks: 20.00, 22.50, 324.65 and 355.35 pmol/L, p<0.001). On the other hand, there was no significant difference in the FSH serum level (median of FSH value at 0, 4, 8 and 12 weeks: 18.65, 18.40, 18.60 and 20.35 IU/L, p=0.517). CONCLUSION: A daily dose of 2 mg oral 17 beta-estradiol taken at bedtime (8.00 p.m.) for 12 weeks increased the serum E2 to the follicular phase level of the normal menstrual cycle. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in the FSH serum level.