The 2 hour sulfobromophthalein retention test and the transaminase activity during oral contraceptive therapy

Abstract

Serial determinations of two-hour BSP retention and of SCOT and SGPT were performed on 22 Swedish women before, during, and after one year of oral contraceptive therapy. An increased 2 hour BSP retention (more than 2 per cent) was observed in 16 of the subjects and in 44 per cent of all the BSP tests were performed during treatment. Elevated SCOT values were observed in 6 subjects and elevated SGPT values in 11. The frequency of increased BSP retention reached a maximum after 3 months of therapy and then remained unchanged, while the frequency of elevated transaminases was maximum after one month of therapy and then gradually decreased. The similarities between the signs of abnormal liver function observed during oral contraceptive therapy, in the last trimester of pregnancy, and with idiopathic jaundice of pregnancy are emphasized. The significance of the results obtained is evaluated with special reference to their bearing on the use of oral contraceptives in clinical practice.