Estrogen – role, research and interpretation of results

Estrogen is a key sex hormone found mainly in women, but also in smaller amounts in men.It performs many important functions in the body, regulating not only the reproductive system, but also influencing systemic health.In this article, we will take a closer look at what estrogen is, when it is worth testing its level and how to interpret the test results.

Estrogen – what is it?what are the properties of this female sex hormone?

Estrogen is a group of hormones that includes estradiol, estrone and estriol.The main hormone of this type is estradiol, which is synthesized mainly by the ovaries in women and to a lesser extent by adipose tissue.Estrogens have many important functions, such as regulating the menstrual cycle, maintaining a healthy skeletal system, influencing skin density, as well as mood and cognitive functions.

When should estrogen testing be performed?

Testing your estrogen levels may be recommended in a variety of circumstances:

• To assess the health of the reproductive system:Estrogen testing can help diagnose problems with the menstrual cycle, irregular bleeding or infertility in women.
• During menopause:It is worth monitoring estrogen levels in menopausal women to assess the need for hormone therapy.
• When monitoring your pregnancy:Estrogen plays a key role in pregnancy, so monitoring it is important if you suspect there are problems with your pregnancy.
• If skeletal diseases are suspected:Estrogen affects bone density, so testing the hormone level may be recommended when osteoporosis or other skeletal diseases are suspected.

Proper estrogen levels during pregnancy

During pregnancy, estrogen levels increase, which is a natural process.This hormone is essential for maintaining pregnancy and fetal development.However, abnormal estrogen levels during pregnancy may be associated with a risk of health problems for both mother and baby.Therefore, it is important to regularly monitor its level during pregnancy.

Estrogen – course of the test.which parameters should be checked along with estrogen levels?

Testing estrogen levels involves taking a sample of the patient’s blood.The test results usually include the determination of the overall level of estradiol in blood serum.However, it is also worth paying attention to other parameters that may be important in the interpretation of the results, such as:

• Progesterone:Working together with estrogen, progesterone plays a key role in regulating the menstrual cycle and maintaining pregnancy.
• LH (luteinizing hormone):LH levels can help determine the phase of your menstrual cycle and confirm ovulation.
• FSH (follitropin):The hormone follitropin is associated with egg maturation and may be useful in diagnosing fertility problems.

Estrogen – norms, interpretation of results

Estrogen levels may vary depending on the laboratory and the units of measurement.Therefore, it is always worth consulting the results with a doctor or specialist.However, generally accepted norms for estradiol levels in adult women range from 30 to 400 picograms per milliliter (pg/ml) depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle.Estrogen levels in men are much lower and usually range from 10 to 40 pg/ml.

The interpretation of the results depends on the purpose of the test and the patient’s symptoms.Values outside the norm may indicate various health problems, so an individual assessment is necessary.

Estrogen test – price/reimbursement

The costs of estrogen testing may vary depending on the region and type of medical facility.In some cases, the test may be reimbursed by the health system, especially if it is ordered by a doctor for diagnostic purposes.

Your suggestions

If you have any doubts about your estrogen levels or suspect health problems related to them, it is always worth consulting a doctor or specialist.Testing your sex hormone levels can provide important information about your health and help you make an appropriate diagnosis and start treatment.

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It is worth remembering that estrogen should not be interpreted in isolation, but always in the context of other hormonal parameters and the patient’s clinical symptoms.Therefore, estrogen testing should always be performed under the supervision of a doctor or specialist who can help fully assess your hormonal health.