Estrogens, Fractionated, LC/MS

The Estrogens, Fractionated, LC/MS panel quantifies the levels of estrone, estradiol, and estriol, which are the three primary types of estrogens found in serum. This panel can be useful for evaluating estrogen levels. Estrogens are naturally occurring steroids that play a role in the growth and maintenance of reproductive organs and secondary sexual characteristics in women. They also impact other bodily systems, such as bone density maintenance, liver protein production, arterial vasodilation, lowering intraocular pressure, and influencing mood.

Estrogen measurements can assist in assessing sexual maturity, menstrual and fertility disorders, fetal-placental health during pregnancy, estrogen-secreting tumors, and feminization syndromes in men.

Elevated estrogen levels may occur in normal pregnancy, early puberty, hyperthyroidism, liver cirrhosis, and ovarian, testicular, and adrenal tumors. Reduced estrogen levels may be seen in cases of failing pregnancy, Turner syndrome, hypopituitarism, primary and secondary hypogonadism, menopause, Stein-Leventhal syndrome, and anorexia nervosa.

Estriol becomes the dominant estrogen only in late pregnancy. Estriol measurements are often used to help screen for certain fetal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome. In non-pregnant women and men, estriol measurements have limited clinical significance.

Test Details Include:

Estrone

Estradiol, Ultrasensitive, LC/MS

Estriol, Serum

Preferred Specimen(s):

2.5 mL serum collected in a red-top tube (no gel)

Minimum Volume:

1.5 mL

Methodology:

Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry