Estradiol

What is Estradiol?

The development and maintenance of the female phenotype, germ cell maturation and pregnancy are facilitated by hormones called estrogen. These steroids are also involved in general processes in our body including growth, the maturation of our nervous system, the remodeling and metabolism of our bones, and finally the responsiveness of our endothelial. There are two types of biologically active estrogens, found in the systems of women who are not pregnant. These are estrone and estradiol. The third type of estrogen is mainly found during pregnancy; and, does not have a pronounced role for women who are not pregnant.

Produced mainly in our ovaries and testes, estradiol is formed from testosterone. A small amount of E2 is also produced in the adrenal glands and our body fat. According to mayo clinic labs, estradiol is up to five times more potent biologically then estrone. For women who did not have menopause, estradiol levels fluctuate within menstruation. Levels are the lowest during the follicular phase; then, start increasing until 2 to 3 days before ovulation. After this phase, levels start increasing at a much higher pace to reach their highest levels at ovulation. Then, levels start declining until the end of the menstrual cycle.

A study, published by the BMC Women’s health journal, linked estradiol to lung functions. According to its findings, estradiol is in charge of shuttling adaptive immunity. It plays an essential role in lung inflammatory conditions.

Why take the Estradiol test?

Estradiol tests are effective tools to pinpoint a deficiency or excess in a woman’s hormone levels. It helps diagnosing many health conditions that are caused by such an imbalance. The test can also help identify the timing of a woman’s menstruation cycle. Men can also benefit from estradiol tests as they could detect any excess hormone and identify what is the probable cause for this imbalance.

You have to get tested if you have signs and symptoms of low estradiol levels such as delayed menstrual periods, as well as sexual symptoms like low sex drive, increased vaginal dryness and irritation and damage to the vagina. Since estradiol is needed to balance your bones’ breakdown and reformation, low levels may cause an imbalance in this bone remodeling process, leading to weakened bones and osteoporosis. If you are experiencing stress fractures in your ribs, or you are breaking your bones easily, these could be caused by a low estradiol level.

Women who experience hot flashes, a lot of sweating especially at night, headaches and sleeping problems, need to test their estradiol levels. These symptoms, in addition to mood swings, abdominal fat and hair thinning, could be caused by a sudden drop in estradiol levels.

What causes the levels of Estradiol to rise?

Illnesses like hypertension, anemia and impaired liver functions can affect your estradiol test results. Some medications can negatively impact your test results. These include birth control pills, estrogen therapy, glucocorticoids, antibiotics, and phenothiazines.

A study, done by the Department of Mental Health and Alcohol Research at the National Public Health Institute in Finland, observed the effects alcohol on estradiol levels. Findings showed that moderate to heavy alcohol consumption lead to increase in the hepatic NADH/NAD ratio which led to a decrease in steroid catabolism. This decrease in estradiol levels was accompanied by increasing the risk of developing breast cancer.

What your Estradiol test results mean?

It is important to understand estradiol levels to assess your wellbeing. This hormone’s levels are high at birth and fall down to puberty levels by the third week after birth.

For boys and men, normal E2 values, per tanner stages are as follows:

• Stage I: normal values are either undetectable or within the range of 0 to 13 pg/mL
• Stage II: normal values either undetectable or within the range of 0 to 16 pg/mL
• Stage III: normal values are either undetectable or within the range of 0 to 26 pg/mL
• Stage IV: normal values are either undetectable or within the range of 0 to 38 pg/mL
• Stage V: normal values have to be between 10 and 40 pg/mL

For girls and women, normal estradiol levels, per tanner stages, are as follows:

• Stage I: normal values are either undetectable or within the range of 0 to 20 pg/mL
• Stage II: normal values are either undetectable or within the range of 0 to 24 pg/mL
• Stage III: normal values are either undetectable or within the range of 0 to 60 pg/mL
• Stage IV: normal values have to be between 15 and 85 pg/mL
• Stage V: normal values have to be between 17 and 350 pg/mL

For adult men, normal values are between 10 and 40 pg/mL. For adult women, levels are linked to their age and menopause. Premenopausal levels are between 15 and 350 pg/mL while postmenopausal levels are less than 10 pg/mL.

If you have lower than normal levels of estradiol; then, you may have Turner syndrome that is a genetic condition caused by a missing chromosome, hypopituitarism (low level of pituitary hormones), female hypogonadism (which is when the ovaries are not functioning well), and eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa. Low levels can also indicate that a woman is post-menopausal, or that she has polycystic ovary syndrome.

Higher than normal levels of estradiol indicate early puberty, ovary and adrenal glands tumor, hyperthyroidism and liver cirrhosis in women. In men, high levels of E2 indicate gynecomastia (enlarged breast sizes), delayed puberty, liver cirrhosis, hyperthyroidism and testicular cancer.

Where can I get an Estradiol test near me?

Please use our Lab Locator to find find a convenient testing location.

Reviewed By: Dr. Kurt Kloss, MD
Last Reviewed Date: Aug 30, 2019