Estrogen Fractions Test (Estriol Excretion, Estradiol, Estrone)- Why am I having this test?
Estrogen fractions test is used to evaluate:
- Sexual maturity, menstrual problems, or fertility problems in females.
- The health of a fetus and placenta in pregnant females.
- The presence of female characteristics in males (feminization syndromes).
This test can also be used as a tumor marker in people with estrogen-producing tumors.
What is being tested?
This test measures the level of estrogen in the body. There are three major forms of estrogen:
- Estriol. Estriol is the major estrogen during pregnancy. Excretion increases around the eighth week of pregnancy and continues to rise until just before delivery.
- Estradiol. In women, the level of estradiol fluctuates monthly during the course of a normal menstrual cycle.
- Estrone. Estrone is the major form of estrogen in females after menopause.
Estrone and estradiol are present at different levels in everyone. The combination of estrone and estradiol is called total estrogen level.
What kind of sample is taken?
This test can be performed using the following samples:
- Blood. This is usually collected by inserting a needle into a blood vessel.
- Urine. This is collected in a germ-free (sterile) container over a 24-hour period.
The choice of sample often depends upon what your health care provider is looking for.
How do I collect samples at home?
Your health care provider may ask you to collect urine samples at home over a 24-hour period. When collecting a urine sample at home, make sure you:
- Use supplies and instructions that you received from the lab.
- When you get up in the morning, urinate in the toilet and flush. Write down the time. This will be your start time on the day of collection and your end time on the next morning.
- From then on, collect all of your urine only in the sterile plastic jug that you received from the lab.
- If the plastic jug that was given to you already has liquid in it, that is okay. Do notthrow out the liquid or rinse out the jug. Some tests need the liquid to be added to your urine.
- Do notlet any toilet paper or stool (feces) get into the jug.
- Refrigerate the sample until you can return it to the lab.
- Stop collecting your urine 24 hours after you started. Collect the last specimen as close as possible to the end of the 24-hour period.
- Return the samples to the lab as instructed. Keep the jug cool in an ice chest while you are bringing it to the lab.
How do I prepare for this test?
If the test requires a urine sample, make sure to drink plenty of fluids before and during the 24-hour collection period.
How are the results reported?
Your test results will be reported as values. Your health care provider will compare your results to normal ranges that were established after testing a large group of people (reference ranges). Reference ranges may vary among labs and hospitals. For this test, common reference ranges are:
Reference ranges for estriol
- Male
or child younger than 10 years old
- Urine: 1–11 mcg/24 hr.
- Adult
female, follicular phase
- Urine: 0–14 mcg/24 hr.
- Adult
female, ovulatory phase
- Urine: 13–54 mcg/24 hr.
- Adult
female, luteal phase
- Urine: 8–60 mcg/24 hr.
- Adult
female, postmenopausal
- Urine: 0–11 mcg/24 hr.
- Pregnant
female, first trimester
- Serum: less than 38 ng/mL.
- Urine: 0–800 mcg/24 hr.
- Pregnant
female, second trimester
- Serum: 38–140 ng/mL.
- Urine: 800–12,000 mcg/24 hr.
- Pregnant
female, third trimester
- Serum: 31–460 ng/mL.
- Urine: 5,000–12,000 mcg/24 hr.
Reference ranges for estradiol
- Child
younger than 10 years old
- Serum: less than 15 pg/mL.
- Urine: 0–6 mcg/24 hr.
- Adult
male
- Serum: 10–50 pg/mL.
- Urine: 0–6 mcg/24 hr.
- Adult
female, follicular phase
- Serum: 20–350 pg/mL.
- Urine: 0–13 mcg/24 hr.
- Adult
female, midcycle peak
- Serum: 150–750 pg/mL.
- Urine: 4–14 mcg/24 hr.
- Adult
female, luteal phase
- Serum: 30–450 pg/mL.
- Urine: 4–10 mcg/24 hr.
- Adult
female, postmenopausal
- Serum: less than or equal to 20 pg/mL.
- Urine: 0–4 mcg/24 hr.
Reference ranges for total estrogen
- Male
or child younger than 10 years old
- Urine: 4–25 mcg/24 hr.
- Female,
not pregnant
- Urine: 4–60 mcg/24 hr.
- Pregnant
female, first trimester
- Urine: 0–800 mcg/24 hr.
- Pregnant
female, second trimester
- Urine: 800–5,000 mcg/24 hr.
- Pregnant
female, third trimester
- Urine: 5,000–50,000 mcg/24 hr.
What do the results mean?
Levels greater than the reference ranges may indicate:
- Feminization syndromes in males.
- Very early onset of puberty.
- A tumor of an ovary, testicle, or adrenal gland.
- A normal pregnancy.
- Liver damage.
- Hyperthyroidism.
Levels less than the reference ranges may indicate:
- Failing pregnancy.
- Turner syndrome.
- Hypopituitarism.
- Menopause.
- Anorexia nervosa.
Talk with your health care provider about what your results mean.
Questions to ask your health care provider
Ask your health care provider, or the department that is doing the test:
- When will my results be ready?
- What are my treatment options?
- How will I get my results?
- What other tests do I need?
- What are my next steps?
Summary
- The estrogen fractions test measures the level of estrogen in the body.
- The test is used to evaluate sexual maturity, menstrual problems, or fertility problems in females.
- This test measures the levels of the three major forms of estrogen. The combination of two of the major forms, estrone and estradiol, is called total estrogen level.
- The estrogen fractions test may be done using a blood sample or a 24-hour urine collection sample.
- Talk with your health care provider about what your results mean.
