An estradiol (E2) test measures levels of the hormone E2 in the blood. The results can reflect issues ranging from fertility problems to liver damage.

The right estrogen levels are essential for reproductive health. Having too much or too little estrogen can also lead to medical problems, such as weak bones, urinary tract infections, and even depression.

Doctors may order an estradiol test if they are concerned about a person’s fertility, puberty, or menopause. This article looks at when a doctor might order this test, what the results can mean, and what to expect during and after the test.

Doctors will likely request an estradiol test if they want to find out more about why a person’s sex characteristics are developing in a certain way.

Although estrogen is known as a female sex hormone, it also plays a role in male growth and development.

Estradiol levels can affect how the reproductive system develops. Abnormally high or low levels can influence how the following parts of the body grow and work:

  • womb
  • fallopian tubes
  • vagina
  • breasts
  • libido
  • erectile function
  • sperm cells

During their reproductive years, women usually have the highest levels of estradiol. After reaching menopause, estradiol levels are much lower.

Problems caused by abnormal levels of estradiol include:

An estradiol test can detect early or late puberty. If a child appears to be starting puberty earlier or later than expected, a doctor may order this test.

Transgender women may take estradiol as part of their hormone therapy to develop more female characteristics. If so, their doctor may wish to perform regular estradiol tests to monitor their levels.

An estradiol test is a simple blood test, and its risks are low. However, any test involving a needle carries some risks, such as:

  • bleeding
  • infection
  • bruising
  • feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or fainting
  • pain and soreness at the site afterward
  • multiple punctures if a doctor cannot find a suitable vein
  • blood building up under the skin

While some blood tests require a person to avoid eating or drinking beforehand, people taking an estradiol test do not need any special preparation.

If a person is taking medication, such as birth control or hormone therapy medication, they must tell their doctor before they have the test. Certain forms of medication could affect the results.

To carry out an estradiol test, a medical professional will take a blood sample from a person’s arm or hand, clean the area, and look for a suitable vein.

They will use a needle to draw blood from the area, which they will then send to a laboratory for testing.

The results of an estradiol test vary from person to person and will indicate different things, depending on the individual. Many factors can affect the results, such as age, sex, and health history.

Doctors measure estradiol levels in picograms per milliliter (pg/mL).

  • In premenopausal females, normal estradiol levels are 10 to 300 pg/mL.
  • In postmenopausal females, normal estradiol levels are less than <10 pg/mL.
  • In males, normal estradiol levels are 20 to 50 pg/mL.

If the test results indicate low estradiol levels, they could signal one of the following:

If the test results indicate high estradiol levels, they could signal one of the following:

  • hyperthyroidism
  • liver damage
  • gynecomastia
  • tumors in the ovaries, testicles, or adrenal glands

Pregnancy and a person’s menstrual cycle can affect the results in the following ways:

  • Estradiol levels are higher during pregnancy as the placenta produces estradiol.
  • During the menstrual cycle, estradiol levels are highest during ovulation and lowest during menstruation.

In adolescents, high levels of estradiol could signal early puberty in girls and delayed puberty in boys.

An estradiol test alone cannot diagnose a specific disease. If the test results show low or high levels of estradiol, a doctor may recommend further tests to help pinpoint a diagnosis.

If a doctor thinks that infertility could be a cause, they may prescribe a test to check a person’s levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

In females, FSH is responsible for stimulating egg production, and in males, it triggers sperm production. Low levels of FSH may suggest problems with fertility.

A person should ask their doctor how they will let them know their test results. If the test results suggest low or high levels of estradiol, the doctor will advise the best next steps.

Depending on the results and underlying cause, a doctor may suggest one of the following courses of action:

  • changes to medication
  • new medication
  • referral to a specialist
  • additional tests or procedures
  • further testing and monitoring of estradiol levels

An estradiol test is a simple blood test that doctors use to assess the levels of a particular type of estrogen in the body.

As estrogen is critical in so many areas of health, the test will often be the first step in assessing ways to improve a person’s well-being.