The influence of the route of oestrogen administration on serum levels of cortisol‐binding globulin and total cortisol

Abstract

Oral oestrogen-containing preparations increase total cortisol levels by increasing circulating CBG concentration. These effects were not seen in patients using transdermal oestrogen replacement. Although further studies are indicated, it is probably unnecessary to routinely discontinue transdermal oestrogen replacement when performing an assessment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis or evaluating adequacy of hydrocortisone replacement.