Estradiol (E2) Test
Estrogens are a group of sex hormones most commonly associated with women, although men produce small amounts of estrogens as well. Estradiol (E2) is the primary form of estrogen produced by a woman’s body during her reproductive years. Other estrogen hormones include estrone (E1) and estriol (E3). Estrone is associated with post-menopausal women and estriol is associated with pregnancy.
The Estradiol (E2) Test measures the amount of estradiol in your blood, which may help evaluate ovarian function and monitor follicular development during ovulation. It is important to note that estradiol levels fluctuate over the course of a woman’s regular menstrual cycle. Knowing where you are in your menstrual cycle when you take this test may aid you and your healthcare provider in interpreting your test results.
In men, this test is used to evaluate estrogen production levels. Excess estrogen in males often results in breast tissue enlargement, referred to as gynecomastia.
