Estrogen

ESTROGEN TEST

Estrogen, or Oestrogen, is the primary female sex hormone. It is responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics. There are three major endogenous estrogens in females that have estrogenic hormonal activity;

• Estrone,
• Estradiol, and

The Estrane steroid estradiol is the most potent and prevalent of these.

Estrogens are produced in all vertebrates as well as some insects. The three major naturally occurring forms of estrogen in women are Estrone (E1), Estradiol (E2), and Estriol (E3). There is another type of estrogen called Estetrol (E4) but that is produced only during pregnancy. Estrogens circulate at lower levels than androgens in both men and women. While estrogen levels are significantly lower in males compared to females, estrogens nevertheless also have important physiological roles in males.

Estrogens Like all steroid hormones, readily diffuse across the cell membrane. Once inside the cell, they bind to and activate estrogen receptors (ERs) which in turn modulate the expression of many genes.  In addition to their role as natural hormones, estrogens are used as medications, for instance in menopausal hormone therapy and hormonal birth control.

Doctors may use estrogen tests to help check on matters that have to do with puberty, fertility, menopause, and other conditions. If the doctor needs to check to diagnose a condition which has been caused by too much or too little of a particular estrogen type, she/he may recommend an estrogen test.

It is a simple blood test, and it can measure up to three types of this estrogen.

WHO GETS TO DO THIS TEST

An estrogen test measures any of three forms of the hormone:

• Estrone (E1)
• Estradiol (E2)
• Estriol (E3)

A test for one type may be called an “Estrone test” or an “E1 test,” for example. The screening may also be referred to as an “estrogenic hormones” test. Doctors may recommend testing of estradiol or Estrone for symptoms such as:

• Vaginal bleeding after menopause
• Problems with menstrual cycles
• Infertility
• Menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats and irregular menstrual periods.
• The doctor may use an E1 or E2 test to see how well treatment is going, if the patient is on hormone therapy to treat symptoms of menopause.
• Girls whose sex organs develop earlier or later than normal might also be tested for E1 and E2 levels.
• Doctors usually test E3 during pregnancy, during this period, Estriol temporarily becomes the main estrogen. Abnormal levels of Estriol may be a sign of problems with the baby’s health.

One might need several tests to track changes in estrogen levels over time.

TESTING IN MEN

Although their levels are usually lower than they are in women, men also have Estrogen. Estrogen levels that are either too low or too high in men could also lead to health problems.

A man might have an estrogen test to:

• Check on whether puberty is delayed
• Find tumors that make estrogen
• Find if high estrogen levels are due to low levels of testosterone or androgen --two key hormones in men
• Diagnose enlarged male breasts,

PREPARING FOR THE TEST

There is no special preparation for an estrogen test.  No need to stop eating or drinking anything as with some types of blood tests. Before the test however, the doctor should know about all the medications and supplements the patient takes. Especially the birth control pills or hormone therapy, this is because they may affect the test results.

During the test, the doctor or health care professional will take a little blood from a vein in an arm. The blood sample will be tested in a laboratory.

WHAT THE RESULTS MEAN

Estrogen levels that are considered normal or healthy will depend on age and gender. In women, pregnancy will also have a big effect on estrogen levels. The results can also be affected by the period within a menstrual cycle.

High or low levels of a specific form of estrogen aren’t enough to diagnose a condition. The test results can help, though, to find the cause of symptoms.

In girls and women, high levels of E1 or E2 could mean early puberty or tumors in the ovaries.

For boys and men, increased E1 and E2 levels could mean delayed puberty, tumors in the testicles, and may be the cause of gynecomastia.

For both men and women, high E1 and E2 levels could mean:

• Hyperthyroidism
• Tumors in the adrenal glands
• Liver damage (Cirrhosis)

For pregnant women, high E3 levels could mean labor will occur soon.

Low estrogen levels in women are signs of several conditions, including:

• Low levels of pituitary hormones
• Poorly functioning ovaries
• Eating disorder
• Failing pregnancy (Estriol levels drop)
• Turner syndrome (inherited condition caused by an abnormal or missing X chromosome)