The Estrogen Metabolism Assessment is a hormone test which evaluates how estrogen is being processed in the body. This hormone test yields clinical insight into many estrogen-dependent conditions and provides an important tool for monitoring dietary, lifestyle, and hormone therapies. Specifically, the Estrogen Metabolism Assessment tests hydroxyestrogens in urine, providing a rapid, convenient way to evaluate clinical interventions (including hormone therapy, diet, and lifestyle changes) aimed at optimizing estrogen metabolism.
The potential impact of estrogen on a person’s health and well-being is enormous. Estrogen can exert a strong influence in diverse conditions such as:
- Breast cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Osteoporosis
- Heart disease
- Autoimmune disorders
Recent scientific advances into estrogen metabolism have shed new light on more effective clinical interventions in estrogen-dependent conditions.
Estrogen Metabolism
Estrogen metabolites provide valuable clinical information regarding cancer risk. Two significant metabolites that can be accurately assessed are 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone (16 alpha-OHE1) and 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1).
- 16 alpha-OHE1 is a powerful metabolite that stimulates target tissues. Levels can rise in response to obesity, alcohol consumption, and toxic exposure. High levels of this potent metabolite are linked to increased risk and poorer prognosis in conditions linked to estrogen excess such as breast cancer and lupus.
- 2-OHE1 is a metabolite that binds weakly to cell receptors and may slow cell proliferation. Excessive levels of 2-OHE1 may increase the risk of osteoporosis in post-menopausal women with low estrogen.
The ration between 2-OHE1 and 16 alpha-OHE1 is the key to optimizing health. Treatments that increase the 2:16 alpha-OHE1 ratio help to reduce the risk of estrogen-dependent disease. Using the assessment, practitioners can monitor the impact of dietary intervention (flaxseed, soy products, cruciferous vegetables or derivatives like indole-3-carbinol and diindolylmethane, omega-3 fatty acids) and exercise. The ratio also allows for accurate monitoring of clinical safety and effectiveness of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
The Estrogen Metabolism Assessment is designed for both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. It can be performed using serum or urine. Serum sampling provides a direct assessment of circulating estrogen metabolites. Urine testing offers convenient, noninvasive sample collection.
Test Type: Urine Test