Estradiol also known as Oestrogen
17-beta-estradiol (Estradiol (17-ß-) (E2))
Test to determine a deficiency (in women) or excess (in men and women) of estradiol production.
Do you take more than 5 mg of biotin (vitamin B8) per day? If so, wait at least 8 hours after your last dose before having your blood drawn. Biotin can affect the results of the estradiol test.
About Oestradiol
Estradiol is the most important female sex hormone. Estradiol is necessary for the normal development of female sexual characteristics.
Production increases sharply as eggs mature and are fertilized. A low estradiol level means that eggs are no longer maturing.
In men, this level is often measured during post-treatment follow-up or to determine the cause of infertility.
Estradiol (17β-estradiol) is a sex hormone and belongs to the group of estrogens.
It is generally considered a female hormone, but is also present in men. Estradiol not only affects the reproductive system but also influences bone structure, among other things. In fertile women, it is the most common estrogen, alongside estrone (especially after menopause) and estriol (especially during pregnancy). The body produces it from androstenedione or from testosterone.
Estradiol levels are low in men. Approximately 30% is produced by the testes, and the remainder comes from conversion in the liver and adipose tissue.
Before puberty, estrogen levels are also low. During puberty, estrogen levels rise, and subsequent changes occur throughout the menstrual cycle until menopause. After menopause, estrogen can only be produced via adrenal androgens.
Reasons for measuring estradiol in the blood may include:
- Research on female fertility
- Research on women with cycle disorders
- Suspicion of high oestradiol levels in men
- In men with breast development
Estradiol is bound to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). If SHBG levels are low, this affects the estradiol test result. When determining reference ranges, it is assumed that a normal amount of SHBG is present. LH and FSH measurements can help determine whether premature menopause is present.
Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) is a condition in which a woman stops menstruating before the age of 40. This occurs because the ovaries stop ovulating earlier than usual. The average age for Western women to enter menopause is around 51 years. About 1 in 100 women experience premature ovarian failure.
POF or POI is caused by the ovaries no longer producing egg follicles. This can also happen when you still wish to have children. When POI is diagnosed, if you wish to have children or may wish to have children in the future, measures can be taken to help you achieve your goal by freezing your eggs. This is not always possible and is not available at every hospital.
Although the cause is usually unknown, POI can be caused by:
- damage to or removal of the ovaries (by chemotherapy, radiation or surgery)
- an enzyme defect
- a genetic disorder
- an autoimmune disease
Early menopause can increase the risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. The risk of breast cancer, on the other hand, is lower because women are exposed to hormones for a shorter period of time. Due to the increased risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease, a healthy lifestyle (not smoking, eating a healthy diet, and getting sufficient exercise, such as walking) is especially important. In addition, hormone replacement therapy is often started in consultation with a doctor.
See also the AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) test
