In this article, Niketrainers.com.co will tell you:
What are estrogens?
Estrogens are female sex hormones. The estrogens include: 17β-estradiol, estrone, and estriol. 17β-estradiol is the most active hormone in a woman’s reproductive period. Estradiol is the main estrogenic hormone produced in the ovary in women and in small amounts in the testes in men. Estrone is a hormone with five times less activity and is the main estrogen in the postmenopausal period. Estriol has the weakest biological effect of all oestrogens.
Estrogens are produced primarily in the ovaries, and in much smaller amounts also by placental and adipose tissues. Estrogens affect many functions of the body, especially the female one – they are responsible for the development of female sexual characteristics, breast development, and regulate the menstrual cycle. Estrogens accelerate metabolism, support the development of uterine muscles, increase vaginal hydration, thicken its walls, protect blood vessels, increase the concentration of “good” LDL cholesterol, preventosteoporosis, supporting bone mineralization.
In men, estrogens regulate libido and help sperm mature.
What are the indications for estrogen testing?
The indications for testing estrogen levels are:
- disorders of the menstrual cycle in the form of amenorrhea, irregular bleeding
- weakened libido
- menopause
- drug-induced ovulation control
- monitoring the development of follicular follicles
- infertilityand fertility treatment monitoring
- hormonal substitution in women
- evaluation of ovarian function
- suspicion of an estrogen producing tumor
- monitoring of anti-estrogen therapy inbreast cancer
- disturbed development of male sexual characteristics in boys
- premature or delayed puberty in girls
- gynecomastia
- galactorrhea
- hypogonadism.
How to prepare for the test?
The patient for blood estrogen testing should report on an empty stomach, i.e. at least 8 hours after the last meal.
What are the contraindications for estrogen testing?
There are no contraindications for estrogen testing. It is enough to take a small amount of venous blood.
Interpretation of estrogen test results
Estrogen norms in women:
Estron:
- in the reproductive period 17–200 ng / l
- in the postmenopausal period 7–40 ng / l
Estradiol
Depending on the phase of the monthly cycle in which a woman is found, the concentration of estradiol changes, therefore the range of norms also varies. In order to accurately determine the phase of the cycle, the concentration of progesterone should be additionally determined.
- Follicular phase: 30–120 ng / L (110–440 pmol / L)
- Ovulation: 130–370 ng / L (477–1358 pmol / L)
- Luteal phase: 70-250 ng / l (257-917 pmol / l)
- Postmenopausal period: <10 ng / L
Estriol:
- less than 80 ng / l
Estrogen norms in men:
- Estron: 10–60 ng / l
- Estradiol: 10–40 ng / L
- Estriol: <160 ng / L
The ng / l unit is equivalent to the pg / ml unit used by some laboratories. Moreover, depending on the method of determination, the standards of estrogens in individual laboratories may differ, hence it is best to follow the standards specified by the sample testing center.
Reasons for the increase in blood estrogen levels:
Estradiol:
- the around-ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle
- drug-induced ovulation
- substitution with too high doses of hormones
- Graaf’s bubble survived
- tumors that produce estrogens (e.g. granuloma, tumor cell tumors, tumors of the testicles, adrenal glands)
- cirrhosis
- overactive thyroid gland.
Estron:
- obesity in the postmenopausal period.
Reduction in the concentration of estrogens in the blood – causes
- primary ovarian failure:
– ovarian dysgenesis (including Sweyersyndrome, Turner syndrome)
– ovarian hypoplasia
– premature ovarian failure
– postmenopausal period - secondary ovarian failure:
– pituitary gland insufficiency
– use of drugs that inhibit ovulation
– anorexia, chronic starvation
– excessive exercise (athletes)
– alcohol abuse.
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