How is it used?Estrone tests may be done to aid in the diagnosis of an ovarian tumor, Turner's syndrome, and hypopituitarism. In males, it may help in the diagnosis of gynecomastia or in the detection of estrogen-producing tumors.

Estradiol levels are used to help evaluate ovarian function. Etradiol helps diagnose the cause of precocious puberty in girls and gynecomastia in men. Its main use has been in the differential diagnosis of amenorrhea (for example, to determine whether the cause is menopause, pregnancy, or a medical problem). In assisted reproductive technology (ART), serial measurements are used to monitor follicle development in the ovary in the days prior to in-vitro fertilization. Estradiol is also sometimes used to monitor menopausal hormone replacement therapy.

Estriol, along with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP maternal), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and inhibin-A (an ovarian and placental hormone) tests, are used to assess the risk of carrying a fetus with certain abnormalities, such as Down syndrome.

When is it ordered?Your doctor may order an estrone or estradiol (along with other tests) if you have symptoms such as pelvic heaviness, abnormal vaginal bleeding, abnormal menstrual cycles, or if your sex organs (men's and women's) are developing earlier or later than normally expected. They may also order estrone and/or estradiol if you are having hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, and/or amenorrhea, symptoms of menopause. If you are on hormone replacement therapy, your doctor may use estrone levels to monitor your treatment.

If you are having fertility problems, your doctor may use estradiol measurements over the course of your menstrual cycle to monitor follicle development prior to in vitro fertilization techniques (timed with a surge in your estradiol level).

If you are pregnant, your doctor may order serial (multiple) samples to look for a trend, a rise or fall in the estriol level over time. Unconjugated estriol (estriol not bound to sex hormone binding globulin) is often measured in the 15th to 20th week of gestation as part of the triple screen.