RAPID ABSORPTION OF MICRONIZED ESTRADIOL-17-BETA FOLLOWING SUB-LINGUAL ADMINISTRATION

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 57  (1) , 62-64
Abstract
The effect of sublingual administration of 2 mg of micronized estradiol-17.beta. (E2) on circulating concentrations of estrone (E1), E2, luteinizing hormone [lutropin] and follicle-stimulating hormone [follitropin] was evaluated. Six women were studied during the early follicular phase, along with 3 hypogonadal women. E2 absorption was extremely rapid with a respective 9-fold and 41-fold increase over basal serum levels within 30 min. For most of the 24 h period studied, E1 rather than E2 was the predominant circulating estrogen. Although physiologic levels of E2 can be maintained, apparently the sublingual route is not ideal for E2 replacement, as concomitant superphysiologic elevation of circulating E1 occurs.