Estrone (E1) Test

The estrone, serum test measures the concentration of estrone in the bloodstream.

• The estrone, serum test is typically conducted as part of the diagnosis and workup of precocious and delayed puberty in females and, to a lesser degree, males.

• It is also used as part of the diagnosis and workup of suspected disorders of sex steroid metabolism, such as aromatase deficiency and 17 alpha-hydroxylase deficiency.

• It can serve as an adjunct to clinical assessment, imaging studies, and bone mineral density measurement in the fracture risk assessment of postmenopausal women and, to a lesser degree, older men.

• It can help monitor low-dose female hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women and antiestrogen therapy (such as aromatase inhibitor therapy).

The estrone, serum test may be recommended in the following situations:

• When a female patient presents with signs of puberty before eight years of age or without breast development by 13 years of age.

• When a male patient presents with signs of puberty before nine years of age or with feminization symptoms such as gynecomastia.

• To investigate possible disorders of sex steroid metabolism that affect estrogen production or conversion.

• To assess the fracture risk of postmenopausal women and older men based on their estrogen status.

• To monitor the effectiveness and safety of hormone replacement therapy or antiestrogen therapy.

A positive result in the estrone, serum test may suggest an overproduction or excess exposure to estrogens, which may lead to conditions such as precocious puberty, estrogen-producing tumors, or hormone-sensitive cancers.

The test typically involves a blood draw, where a healthcare professional will collect a small sample of blood from a vein, usually in the arm. The procedure is relatively quick and minimally invasive.

Patients may be advised to follow specific instructions before the test, such as fasting for a certain period or discontinuing certain medications. It’s essential to follow your healthcare provider’s guidance to ensure accurate test results.

Additional tests that may be ordered alongside the estrone, serum test include:

• Estradiol test: To assess the levels of estradiol, another major estrogen hormone.

• Gonadotropin tests: To measure the levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), which regulate estrogen production and ovarian function.

• Androgen tests: To measure the levels of testosterone and androstenedione, which are precursors of estrogen synthesis.

• E1 test

• Estrone (E1), Serum

Precocious puberty refers to the early onset of physical and hormonal changes associated with puberty. Puberty is the period during which a child's body undergoes growth and development, leading to the maturation of sexual and reproductive characteristics. Precocious puberty occurs when these changes begin earlier than the typical age range. In girls, precocious puberty is generally defined as the onset of puberty before the age of 8, and in boys, it is before the age of 9. The normal onset of puberty typically occurs between ages 8 and 13 for girls and between ages 9 and 14 for boys.