Improved Iron Status Parameters May Be a Benefit of Hormone Replacement Therapy

Abstract

One of the benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is to decrease cardiovascular disease. A mechanism whereby HRT may play a role in reducing cardiovascular risk is through improved iron status parameters. High serum ferritin has been related to increased risk of coronary heart disease, whereas low iron-binding capacity has been identified as an important risk factor for myocardial infarction. This study examined iron status parameters in a group of postmenopausal women taking oral HRT (n = 27) and those not taking oral HRT (n = 27) at two times 1 year apart. Women were compared on the following serum measures: estradiol, lipids, iron, total iron-binding capacity, and ferritin. Women taking HRT had higher levels of estradiol (p < 0.001) and improved lipid profiles (p < 0.001)(lower total and lowdensity lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol and higher levels of high-density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol). In addition, women on HRT had better iron status parameters than those not on HRT (p = 0.002). Total iron-binding capacity was greater for women on HRT compared with women not on HRT, and serum ferritin levels were lower in women on HRT than those not on HRT. The groups were comparable in age, body mass index, and physical activity. Our results confirm previous findings and indicate that women taking HRT have higher serum levels of estradiol and improved lipid profiles compared with those not taking HRT. In addition, we have found that iron status parameters are better in women taking HRT, suggesting the need to further examine this effect as it relates to decreased cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women.