A prospective study of carbohydrate metabolism was done with 56 "normal" women who were 4 to 11 weeks post partum. Each had a 3 hour oral glucose tolerance test performed before and after 6 months of using an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD). The results showed only slight changes in blood glucose and plasma insulin levels between the two tests. There were elevations of the fasting and 0.5 hour glucose values and the 2 hour plasma insulin value at the 6 month test. These data provide a further understanding of the changing metabolic parameters associated with pregnancy and they also give the "control" baseline information for comparison with other postpartum studies on the metabolic effects of contraceptive steriods.
PIP: To obtain control information, carbohydrate metabolism was studied in normal postpartum women during a 6-month period when they were using IUDs. None received steroids. Subjects were 56 women who were 4-11 weeks postpartum. All had normal initial glucose tolerance tests. Glucose tolerance tests were repeated at 6 months postpartum. Plasma samples from the 2 tests on each woman were also analyzed in duplicate for their insulin content with a radioimmunoassy technique. There had been a mean weight gain of 5 lb in the intervals. The amount of change between the 2 tests was small. There was some elevation of both fasting and 1/2-hour glucose values at 6 months. Only 2 fasting blood values became abnormal. Plasma insulin values were slightly higher at 6 months . There was a positive correlation between those with weight change and the change in fasting glucose values (p less than .009) and the 2-hour plasma insulin values (p less than .001). These data give a control baseline of information for comparison with postpartum studies on the metabolic effects on contraceptive steroids. Reported results of blood glucose and insulin changes in postpartum women using steroid contraceptives usually far exceed those found in this control group and suggest that contraceptive steroids can alter carbohydrate metabolism.