Abstract
The effect of low-dose gestagen pills on hepatic function was investigated in 5 subjects who had previously suffered from hepatosis of pregnancy and 9 healthy controls. The gestagen used was 0.3 mg of norethisterone daily. The following laboratory tests were performed during the 6 months of low-dose gestagen medication: Serum alanine aminotransferase (S-ALAT-GPT), serum cholesterol, triglycerides, total bilirubin, total proteins, electro-phoretic distribution of proteins, α-1-antitrypsin, cerulo-plasmin, acid α-1-glycoprotein, α-2-HS-glycoprotein, total haptoglobin, β-lipoproteins, α-2-macroglobulin, transferrin, and IgG immunoglobulin. The tests either revealed no differences between the two groups or showed only minor changes. None of the subjects discontinued the treatment because of hepatic dysfunction or symptoms suggestive of such. The authors consider oral contraceptives containing low doses of gestagen to be suitable even for patients who have suffered from hepatosis of pregnancy.