Estrone

What is Estrone?

As soon as you hear about women ‘s hormones, estrogen is the first thought that crosses your mind. The truth is there are three types of estrogen: estrone, estradiol and estriol. Throughout our life stages, all three hormones fluctuate causing numerous biological processes and possible illnesses. Estrogens, produced within the normal ranges, have protective properties. This is the reason why numerous diseases start occurring or become worse after menopause (when estrogen levels go down). Examples of these diseases are Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, osteoporosis and heart disease. Estrogens and their breakdown products have numerous health benefits for both males and females, especially for reproductive health, cardiovascular health, skeletal and digestive health.

Estrone is an important hormone that needs to be balanced with estradiol and estriol. It is significant and contributes in both pre and post-menopausal women. It as essential properties to protect the well being of our heart and brain.

The U.S National Library of Medicine explains that estrone is an aromatized C18 steroid that has a 3-hydroxyl group and a 17-ketone. It is formed in the body from androstenedione or testosterone via estradiol. It is produced in the ovaries, placenta and adipose tissues. When metabolized further, estrone can be transformed to estriol by the enzyme estradiol dehydrogenase.

The estrone test is a test that measures the amount of this hormone in our body. This steroid hormone is the least abundant of the three and is considered to be a strong acting one.

Why take the Estrone test?

The estrone test is a great tool to diagnose numerous conditions and abnormalities in the body’s functions. These comprise detecting an early or delayed onset of puberty, which is when a girl starts developing secondary sex characteristics and begin menstruating; and investigating the causes of menstrual abnormalities, especially amenorrhea. The test is also used to evaluate the normal functioning of the ovaries and detect any possible ovarian failure; as well as monitor hormone replacement therapy and menopausal hormone replacement therapy.

In men, this test can help diagnose delayed puberty, the reason behind enlarged breasts and other feminization signs, detect estrogen producing tumors and pinpointing a possible testosterone or androgen deficiency.

You need to take the estrone test if you have symptoms associated with high levels. These include gaining weight around the waist and abdomen, experiencing emotional moodiness where you are always on the verge of crying and weeping, as well as having cravings for processed carbohydrates like sugar. Other symptoms include feeding tired throughout the day, finding it very difficult to wake up in the morning, and sleeping in the afternoons. Heavy periods that are longer in duration and marked by heavier bleeding and increased clotting are also symptoms of high estrone levels. Finally, some even experience mid cycle spotting that can happen on all three hormones are imbalanced, as well as irregular bleeding.

What causes the levels of Estrone to rise?

Drinking alcohol, moderately, can alter your serum estrone levels. A study published by the Nutrition journal explained that alcohol consumption can increase estrone levels. In the study, women were divided into three groups. One group was the placebo and did not receive any alcohol, the second group was given 15g of alcohol per day and the third group was given 30 grams of alcohol daily. The results were an increase in serum levels by 6.9% for the second group and 22% for the third group. So, the higher is the alcohol consumption, the more pronounced is the hormonal increase.

What your estrone test results indicate?

To understand the different levels of this hormone in our body, one has to identify the different stages of puberty that a child goes through. These stages are referred to as tanner stages and start at different ages for boys and girls. There are five different tanner stages:

• Stage 1 begins when the first signs of puberty appear. It occurs at the age of 7.1 years for both girls and boys.
• Stage 2 begin when hormones starts sending signals throughout the body; and, physical development starts. It occurs at the age of 10.5 years for girls and 11.5 years for boys. At this age, girls’ breasts start forming under the nipple accompanied by itching and tenderness, their uterus begin to increase in size and small pubic hair appear. Boys’ testicles and scrotum begin to increase in size and small pubic hair at the base of the penis start appearing.
• Stage 3 marks the beginning of physical changes that start becoming more obvious. It occurs at the age of 11.6 years for girls and 13.6 years for boys. At this stage, girls’ breast buds begin appearing, and hair starts growing in the pubic area and under the armpits. This stage also marks the beginning of acne on the face and back; and, the buildup of fat on the hips and thighs in girls. For boys, the third tanner stage is when the penis gets longer and testicles grow bigger, muscles get larger, and the voice starts changing.
• Stage 4 is when puberty has run its course: girls have fuller breasts, get their first period and get thicker pubic hair, while boys starts growing armpit hair and continue to grow sexually. It occurs at the age of 12.3 years for girls and 15.1 for boys.
• Stage 5 means that your child is fully mature, physically. It happens at the age of 14.5 years for girls and 18 years for boys. This is the age when both girls and boys become fully mature sexually.

Estrone’s normal reference ranges depend on the age and gender of the person being tested. At birth, babies are born with high levels of this hormone. These levels remain high for about two weeks post-delivery, after which they go down to their puberty levels.

For boys and men, these are the normal E1 values, per tanner stage:

• Stage I: normal values are either undetectable or within the range of 0 to 16 pg/mL.
• Stage II: normal values either undetectable or within the range of 0 to 22 pg/mL.
• Stage III: normal values are between 10 and 25 pg/mL.
• Stage IV: normal values have to be between 10 and 46 pg/mL.
• Stage V: normal values have to be between 10 and 60 pg/mL.

For girls and women, normal estrone levels are:

• Stage I: normal values are either undetectable or within the range of 0 to 29 pg/mL.
• Stage II: normal values are between 10 and 33 pg/mL.
• Stage III: normal values are between 15 and 43 pg/mL.
• Stage IV: normal values have to be between 16 and 77 pg/mL.
• Stage V: normal values have to be between 17 and 200 pg/mL.

For adult men, normal values are between 10 and 60 pg/mL. For adult women, levels depend on menopause. Premenopausal levels are between 17 and 200 pg/mL while postmenopausal levels are between 7 and 40 pg/mL.

Where can I get an Estrone test near me?

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

Reviewed By: Dr. Kurt Kloss, MD
Last Reviewed Date: Apr 28, 2022