Trace elements and vitamin levels in menopausal women receiving hormone replacement therapy

Trace elements are extremely important in human metabolism, growth, and tissue repair. The risk of nutritional disturbances, in particular, vitamin and trace element deficiencies, are striking during menopause. The aim of this longitudinal study was to evaluate the effect of estrogen treatment on serum levels of copper, zinc, magnesium, calcium, vitamin E, and vitamin A in menopausal women. Thirty-eight menopausal women were included in the study, and were administered a continuous hormone replacement therapy (HRT) of 0.625 mg conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) and 2.5 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). Blood samples were obtained before and six months after HRT. There was a statistically significant difference between levels of serum copper, zinc, magnesium, calcium, vitamin E and vitamin A before and after HRT (p < 0.001). In conclusion we observed a beneficial effect of HRT on serum levels of trace elements, vitamin A, and vitamin E in addition to the well known other benefits.