Human Growth Hormone Levels in Normal Subjects Receiving an Oral Contraceptive

Human growth hormone (HGH) levels were measured by a double antibody radioimmunoassay of plasma from women in both the fasting state, and after insulin-induced hypoglycemia. The tests were performed on 26 normal, ambulatory females'at rest, as a control, and also during the third treatment cycle with a combination-type oral contraceptive. It was found that the oral contraceptive elev[ill] the HGH levels. This would appear to be the mec[ill]m by which oral contraceptives alter carbohydrate metabolism.