Serum estradiol and gonadotropins level in postmenopausal women with or without hormone replacement

Serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E2) was measured in 49 menopausal women, to assess the changing serum level in women with or without hormone replacement. Women in the study group (N = 25) received estrogen with or without progestin. The control group (N = 24) did not receive any hormone regimen. Serum hormone measurement was done at 0, 6 and 12 month, using time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay method. The results revealed no significant change of FSH, LH and E2 at 0, 6 and 12 month in the control group. (FSH at 0, 6, 12 month: 55.14 +/- 22.82, 63.90 +/- 24.54, 72.81 +/- 29.58 IU/L, P = 0.09; LH at 0, 6, 12 month: 35.54 +/- 19.86, 33.02 +/- 16.30, 32.33 +/- 17.37 IU/L, P = 0.83; E2 at 0, 6, 12 month: 49.28 +/- 48.54, 37.29 +/- 39.93, 25.63 +/- 23.58 pmol/L, P = 0.17). However, in the study group, FSH and LH significantly decreased but E2 significantly increased at 6 and 12 months. (FSH at 0, 6, 12 month: 59.33 +/- 22.30, 27.23 +/- 16.31, 29.74 +/- 19.45 IU/L, P < 0.05; LH at 0, 6, 12 months: 41.4 +/- 17.02, 19.62 +/- 13.66, 15.65 +/- 8.77 IU/L, P < 0.05; E2 at 0, 6, 12 months: 47.33 +/- 41.25, 280.94 +/- 174.11, 270.70 +/- 198.65 pmol/L, P < 0.05). In conclusion, hormone replacement decreased serum gonadotrophin, though not reaching the premenopausal level. However, serum E2 value was significantly increased close to the level in the follicular phase of normal menstrual cycle.