Estradiol
Estradiol is a very important hormone in the body. It is used to evaluate treatment for infertility and menopause. It is also used to test for how well the ovaries are working.
Estradiol Overview
This lab test measures the amount of estradiol (hormone) in the blood.
In women, estradiol plays a major role in the development of uterus, fallopian tubes, breasts, and vagina. In addition, estrasiol is released by the placenta during pregnancy. In men, a small amount of estradiol is released by the testes. Estradiol helps prevent sperm from dying too early.
Estradiol test is used to test for a variety of conditions as well as evaluate certain treatments. This test may be ordered to check:
- How well the ovaries, placenta, or adrenal glands work
- For signs of an ovarian tumor
- If male or female body characteristics are not developing normally
- If your periods have stopped (levels of estradiol vary, depending on the time of month)
- How well hormone therapy is working for women in menopause
- How well a woman is responding to fertility treatment
Estradiol levels are measured in picograms per milliliter (pg/mL).
- Male: 10-50 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL)
- Female (premenopausal): 30 to 400 pg/mL
- Female (postmenopausal): < 30 pg/mL
Technique
Blood draw
Preparation
Fasting is not required before the test
Tell your doctor about all the medications you take as some medications may interfere with the test results.
What the results mean
Elevated estradiol levels may mean:
- Early puberty in girls
- Klinefelter's syndrome
- Normal pregnancy
- Adrenal tumor
Decreased estradiol levels may mean:
- Lack of periods
- Anorexia nervosa
- Extreme exercise
- Menopause
- Ovarian failure
- Turner's syndrome
