This panel measures the concentrations of estrone, estradiol, and estriol, the 3 main types of estrogens in serum. This panel may be useful in assessing estrogen status.
Estrogens are endogenous steroids that regulate growth and maintenance of sex organs and secondary sex characteristics in women. Estrogens also have effects on many other organ systems such as maintenance of bone density, production of liver proteins, arterial vasodilation, reduction of intraocular pressure, and influence on mood [1]. Measurements of estrogens may help evaluating sexual maturity, menstrual abnormalities, fertility abnormalities, fetal-placental health in pregnancy, tumors that excrete estrogens, and feminization syndromes in men [2].
Increased levels of estrogens may be observed in normal pregnancy, precocious puberty, hyperthyroidism, liver cirrhosis, and ovarian, testicular, and adrenal tumors. Decreased levels of estrogens may be observed in failing pregnancy, Turner syndrome, hypopituitarism, primary and secondary hypogonadism, menopause, Stein-Leventhal syndrome, and anorexia nervosa [3].
Estriol becomes the predominant estrogen only in late pregnancy. Measurements of estriol are commonly used to help screen for certain fetal abnormalities such as Down syndrome. In non-pregnant women and men, measurements of estriol have limited clinical use [2].
The results of this test should be interpreted in the context of pertinent clinical and family history and physical examination findings.
References
1. Gruber CJ, et al. N Engl J Med. 2002;346(5):340-352.
2. Haymond S, et al. Reproductive related disorders. In: Burtis CA, et al. eds. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. 4th ed. Elsevier Inc; 2006:2097-2152.
3. Pagana K, et al. Mosby's Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference. 15th ed. Elsevier Inc; 2020:346-400.