As the hormone responsible for developing and regulating the female reproductive system, estradiol (E2) plays an important role in the menstrual cycle, supporting pregnancy and maintaining reproductive health.
Low estradiol levels can impact your bones, brain, cardiovascular and reproductive health. If you are experiencing symptoms of dry skin, trouble concentrating, hot flashes, mood swings and menstrual changes, you may have low levels of estradiol.
The Labcorp OnDemand Estradiol (E2) Test measures the levels of estradiol in your blood to provide insights into your hormone health.
Note: This test does not diagnose or determine the cause of infertility. It is recommended to consult with a healthcare provider if you have any questions about your result.
Preparation: If you are still menstruating, it is recommended to test on day 3 of your menstrual cycle (cycle day 1 is the first day of your period). If you have no menstrual cycle or have irregular menstrual cycles, you can test at any time.
If you’re taking a supplement containing biotin (also called vitamin B7 or B8, vitamin H or coenzyme R), commonly found in products promoting nail, skin and hair health, we recommend that you wait at least 72 hours from your last dose before taking the test.
Produced by the ovaries, estradiol is the most common type of estrogen. It regulates menstrual cycles in women and helps thicken the lining of the uterus. Estradiol levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle, peak right before ovulation, and drop after ovulation occurs.
Our estradiol test is a quick and convenient way to gain information about your reproductive health to better understand your menstrual cycle, which you can then discuss with your healthcare provider.
An estrogen hormone imbalance can cause symptoms such as irregular menstrual cycles, weight fluctuations, fatigue, and mood changes. Estrogen and progesterone work together to support the menstrual cycle, and hormonal imbalances can occur due to several factors, including the transition of menopause, stress, illness, an unbalanced diet, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, or excessive caffeine or alcohol consumption.
An estrogen hormone imbalance can cause symptoms such as irregular menstrual cycles, weight fluctuations, fatigue, and mood changes. Estrogen and progesterone work together to support the menstrual cycle, and hormonal imbalances can occur due to several factors, including the transition of menopause, stress, illness, an unbalanced diet, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, or excessive caffeine or alcohol consumption.
It's important to remember that hormones fluctuate throughout life and menopause is a natural phase of life.
These symptoms could also be caused by other conditions. It is recommended to consult with a healthcare provider if you have any questions about your results or symptoms.
Estradiol plays a key role in bone health. As we age, our bodies produce less estradiol, which can lead to weaker bones.1
1. Cleveland Clinic. Estrogen. February 8, 2022. Accessed November 14, 2023. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22353-estrogen
2. Lindsay TJ, Vitrikas KR. Evaluation and treatment of infertility. Am Fam Physician. 2015 Mar 1;91(5):308-14. Erratum in: Am Fam Physician. 2015 Sep 15;92 (6):437.
<p>1. Cleveland Clinic. Estrogen. February 8, 2022. Accessed November 14, 2023. <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22353-estrogen" target="_blank" title="Estrogen">https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22353-estrogen</a></p> <p>2. Lindsay TJ, Vitrikas KR. Evaluation and treatment of infertility. Am Fam Physician. 2015 Mar 1;91(5):308-14. Erratum in: Am Fam Physician. 2015 Sep 15;92 (6):437.</p>
View your easy-to-read results online in your Labcorp Patient™ account, including Linked Accounts. For certain results that require prompt attention, you will also be contacted by phone or mail.
For those assigned female at birth: We recommend that you test on day three of your menstrual cycle (cycle day one is the first day of your period). Since estradiol levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle, results will vary on any given day. Day 3 of your menstrual cycle is considered the “baseline” because that's typically when estradiol levels are most stable.
If you have irregular menstrual cycles, you can test at any time.
Estrogen levels fluctuate throughout life, including puberty, fertility and menopause. As you age, estrogen levels begin to decline naturally. If you have concerns about fertility or menopause, more comprehensive tests could be considered, including Fertility Ovarian Reserve Test and Menopause Test.
Adults assigned female at birth may experience symptoms of hormonal imbalances or fluctuations during menopausal transition such as:
If you’re experiencing new, persistent symptoms or have concerns about your estradiol levels, it’s best to consult with a healthcare provider who can interpret the results in the context of your overall health and medical history.
Hormone changes in the body trigger each of the four phases of the menstrual cycle: menstruation, follicular phase, ovulation and luteal phase.
Menstruation is the first phase of the menstrual cycle and is the shedding of lining of the uterus. During menstruation, the levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone drop, which causes the endometrium to detach from the walls of the uterus and bleed.
Proliferative (follicular) phase is the phase of the menstrual cycle that starts after menstruation and ends with ovulation. During this phase, the ovaries produce follicles which develop into a mature egg. The level of estrogen increases, and this helps to thicken the lining of the uterus so that it can support a pregnancy. The follicles grow and mature under the influence of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
Ovulation phase is when an egg is released from a follicle in the ovary. Ovulation is triggered by a surge in the hormone luteinizing hormone (LH). The egg travels down the fallopian tube towards the uterus, where it can be fertilized by a sperm.
Luteal phase begins after ovulation where the follicle that released the egg becomes a corpus luteum, which produces progesterone. Progesterone helps to maintain the thick lining of the uterus to prepare for a fertilized egg. If fertilization does not occur, the corpus luteum breaks down and the level of progesterone decreases. This causes the lining of the uterus to shed, and the menstrual cycle begins again.
Want to learn more about estradiol testing, hormonal imbalance or key hormones in women? Here are some additional resources to help you stay informed about your hormone health:
Your testing will be performed in a CLIA-certified clinical laboratory. Labcorp provides leading-edge medical laboratory tests and services through a national network of primary clinical laboratories and specialty testing laboratories. Our labs perform regular quality assurance testing to ensure our results are accurate.
Your results will be provided to you through our secure online portal to view or print. Results are also made available through a secure portal to the independent healthcare provider who placed your test order. If you are accessing your results through your Labcorp Patient™ account, all users linked to the account will have access to all OnDemand test results. Results may also be provided to a local, state, and/or federal health authority; for example, many states require the testing laboratory and physician to report test results for certain communicable diseases, such as COVID-19, to local or state health departments.
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Visit the Labcorp OnDemand® website to browse and purchase laboratory tests and create your Labcorp Patient™ account to view your results. All Labcorp OnDemand testing requires an order from an authorized healthcare professional. For your convenience, Labcorp OnDemand has contracted with independent professional entities (collectively, Providers) to deliver healthcare provider services. Visit a Labcorp location for sample collection; or, if using an at-home collection kit, collect your sample yourself. We’ll let you know when your results are ready and can be accessed through your Labcorp Patient™ account.
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