[Effect of hormone substitution therapy on AT III in women in the climacteric]

Anti-thrombin III is the major inhibitor of intravasal coagulation. Patients with AT III activity less than 80% are at risk for thromboembolic complications. We have examined 224 women with climacteric symptoms (flush, urogenital complaints, osteoporosis) who received estrogen replacement therapy for one year. 105 women (group I) received conjugated estrogens at 0.626 mg. 52 women (group II) were given conjugated estrogens at 1.25 mg. 67 women (group III) were treated with transdermal estrogen replacement (TTS 50 mcg). AT III activity was measured before and one year after replacement therapy. No significant alterations of AT III activity were noted between the different modalities of application. This supports epidemiologic findings suggesting that no increase in the incidence of thromboembolic complications was seen in women who received estrogen replacement therapy over several years.