Serum total and unbound testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in female acne patients treated with two different oral contraceptives
Palatsi, R.; Hirvensalo, E.; Liukko, P.; Malmiharju, T.; Mattila, L.; Riihiluoma, P.; Ylöstalo, P.
Acta Dermato-Venereologica 64(6): 517-523
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-5555 PMID: 6084924 Document Number: 408097
Serum total and unbound testosterone (T) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels were studied in 54 female acne patients before and during the treatment by 2 different oral contraceptives, 1 containing 0.150 mg desogestrel + 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol (EE) and the other 0.150 mg levonorgestrel + 0.03 mg EE. Pretreatment values were abnormal in 57% of the patients. A borderline significant correlation between the severity of acne and SHBG was found. After 6 months of treatment, a 250% increase in SHBG was seen in the desogestrel/EE group and no significant change in SHBG level in the levonorgestrel/EE group. However, at the time same, serum free testosterone fell 60% in both treatment groups. SHBG cannot be the only regulator of serum free testosterone. Acne improved significantly in both treatment groups. It is likely that the improvement was the result of the free testosterone decrease and the imnprovement was greater in the desogsertel/EE group where SHBG elevation was also seen.