What is Estradiol?
Numerous hormones are in charge of the development and proper functioning of our reproductive system, these are the estrogens. Estrogens are a group of steroids that play major roles in our system. There are three types of estrogen: estrone, estradiol and estriol. All three can help regulate a woman’s menstrual cycle, and are involved in the correct and timely growth of uterus and breasts. Estrogens are also responsible for maintaining healthy pregnancies. These hormones are considered to be the main ones in women; but, also play important roles and men such as for bone metabolism and growth.
Estradiol is produced in the ovaries when they are stimulated by two hormones FSH and LH. It is also produced in men ‘s testicles. This component is the most potent of all three estrogens; and, is found at its highest concentration in non-pregnant premenopausal women. E2 is a great marker for ovarian functions. Breasts and adrenal glands also produce estradiol. This latter helps in the proper growth and development of the uterus, fallopian tubes, vagina and breasts. It controls the distribution of fat in women.
In men, estradiol is produced by the testes and adrenal glands. It is the hormone that plays an important role in protecting sperm cells as well as maintaining healthy sexual functions. It is found in smaller amounts in men than women; and, its role is nor as major.
Estradiol is an essential hormone that is important for the menstrual cycle. When its levels are low, irregularities start appearing. For example, menstrual periods stop occurring every month or become very light in terms of bleeding. During menopause, the levels of this hormone diminish tremendously, leading to a cessation of the menstrual period. When it comes to puberty, having low estradiol levels can cause delayed puberty, which is marked by delayed menstrual periods and breasts and pubic hair development. Low levels of estradiol can also lead to sexual issues such as low sex drive and dryness of the vagina. The result would be painful sexual intercourse that is accompanied by the irritation and damage of the vagina.
Estradiol is a hormone that is needed for the proper balance of the bone remodeling functions that consist of bone breakdown and reformation. When the levels of E2 are lower than needed, and then balance gets created between broken-down bones and newly built ones. As a result, bones become weak and easily broken. Osteoporosis would follow, that can lead to multiple stress fractures of the ribs and vertebra.
Why take the Estradiol Sensitive test?
The sensitive estradiol test has a high sensitivity to determine your serum levels of the estradiol hormone. While most people prefer to take the regular estradiol test, certain circumstances require a more sensitive tool to have a more precise diagnosis. Situations when such a test is recommended are:
- When females and males have a precocious and delayed puberty that have been accentuated.
- When disorders of sex steroid metabolism are suspected. For example, when there is a deficiency in aromatase and/or 17 alpha-hydroxylase deficiency.
- When you are undergoing a clinical assessment and imaging studies to understand the risk of bone fractures in both old men and postmenopausal women.
- To monitor postmenopausal women who are on low-doses of female hormone replacement therapy.
- To monitor antiestrogen therapy like the aromatase inhibitor therapy.
- To evaluate hypogonadism and oligo-amenorrhea in women.
- To assess ovaries when undergoing in-vitro fertilization.
- To monitor estrogen replacement therapy for women who are hypogonadal and premenopausal.
- To evaluate feminization in men.
- To identify estrogen-producing neoplasms in men.
What causes the levels of Estradiol to rise?
Many factors can affect your levels of estradiol. It is recommended to discuss with your doctor about any medication or pills you might be taking. Medicines that can affect your estradiol levels include birth control pills, estrogen therapy, glucocorticoids, phenothiazines that are used to treat mental illnesses such as Schizophrenia, and antibiotics like ampicillin and Panmycin.
From another angle, certain conditions may sabotage your levels. These include anemia, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and reduced liver function. You need to consult with your doctor if you are taking any of these medicines or if you suffer from any of these conditions.
What your Estradiol Sensitive test results mean?
This sensitive estradiol test results depend on your age and gender. Values are according to Tanner stages, which are the puberty stages. According to professor James Tanner, adolescents go through many types of maturation involving cognitive, psychosocial, and biological ones. These complex transitions are referred to as puberty and can impact psychosocial factors. Many changes occur during this stage; however, stature and a development of secondary sexual characteristics are the most visible changes. According to them, professor Tanner developed the tanner stages. Stage one, for both girls and boys, is the mark of prepuberty. Stage two is marked by the enlargement of the scrotum and testes with the reddening of the scrotum skin for boys; and, the breast bud stage consisting of the elevation of the breast and papilla and the enlargement of the areola for girls. Stage three happens when boys experience enlargement of the penis and further growth of the testes while girls experience further enlargement of the breasts and areola. Stages four and five keep the development of these sexual organs going forward until they reach full adult-like maturation.
Babies are born with high estradiol levels that go down below 15 pg/mL after the first week. Between the age of 1 and 6 months, levels increase to 10-32 pg/mL for boys between 30 and 60 days and then go down to less than 15 pg/mL by the age of six months. For baby girls, levels increase to 5-50 pg/mL between 30 and 60 days (after birth) to fall down again to less than 15 pg/mL by the time they are one year old.
Between the ages of 6 months and 10 years for boys and one to 9 years for girls, Estradiol levels remain less than 15 pg/mL.
During puberty, levels are dependent on tanner stages. Normal ranges also differ for boys and girls. These are the values:
For boys and men:
- Stage 1 (up to the age of 9.8 years): normal ranges are between 5 and 11 pg/mL
- Stage 2 (between ages 9.8 and 14.5 years): normal ranges are between 5 and 16 pg/mL
- Stage 3 (between ages 10.7 and 15.4 years): normal ranges are between 5 and 25 pg/mL
- Stage 4 (between ages 11.8 and 16.2 years): normal ranges are between 10 and 36 pg/mL
- Stage 5 (between ages 12.8 and 17.3): normal ranges are between 10 and 36 pg/mL
- Adults: normal ranges are between 8 and 35 pg/mL
For girls and women:
- Stage 1 (up to the age of 9.2 years): normal ranges are between 5 and 20 pg/mL
- Stage 2 (between ages 9.8 and 14.5 years): normal ranges are between 10 and 24 pg/mL
- Stage 3 (between ages 10.7 and 15.4 years): normal ranges are between 7 and 60 pg/mL
- Stage 4 (between ages 11.8 and 16.2 years): normal ranges are between 21 and 85 pg/mL
- Stage 5 (between ages 12.8 and 17.3): normal ranges are between 34 and 170 pg/mL
- Women in follicular stage: normal levels are between 30 and 100 pg/mL
- Women in luteal phase: normal values are between 70 and 300 pg/mL
- Women in postmenopausal phase: normal values are less than 10 pg/mL
To interpret your results and assess your health, especially your sexual health, you need to compare your values to the reference ranges mentioned above. Men who have high levels of estradiol may have enlarged breasts, testicular cancer, delayed puberty, liver cirrhosis, or hyperthyroidism. Girls who have higher than normal levels of E2 may have early puberty, tumors of the ovaries, tumor of the adrenal glands, hyperthyroidism or liver cirrhosis.
Lower than normal levels of E2 in women can indicate many health problems. These include Turner syndrome, hypopituitarism, female hypogonadism, eating disorders, onset of menopause, polycystic ovaries and extreme endurance while working out. Once your abnormal results are analyzed by your doctor, you will be given the different treatment options that are the most suitable for you.
Where can I get a Estradiol Sensitive test near me?
Please use our Lab Locator to find find a convenient testing location.
Reviewed By: Dr. Kurt Kloss, MD
Last Reviewed Date: May 19, 2020
1. Order Labs
2. Find Lab Near You
3. Lab Results Ready
