Clinical chemistry in women treated with progestogen implants

Effects on metabolic parameters of six subdermal implants of d-norgestrel, norgestrienone (R2010) and methyl-norgestrienone (R2323) were studied in women. In general, tests remained within the normal range. An exception was increases in serum transaminase levels in several subjects on R2323 implants. Average cortisol values showed a tendency to decrease on all three regimens, but remained within the normal range and the decreases met tests for statistical significance only with R2323 at six months and R2010 at 12 months. Serum cholesterol levels showed significant decreases on R2010 implants.