Estrogens

Estradiol, Estriol

What To Think About

• Blood estrogen levels are a more accurate indicator of how well the ovaries are working than urinary estrogen levels.
• Tests that measure blood levels of progesterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone are often used to study the problems that can affect fertility and the menstrual cycle. For more information, see the medical tests Progesterone, Luteinizing Hormone, and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone.
• The level of estriol in the blood is often used in a maternal serum triple or quad screening test. The triple screen measures alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), beta human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-HCG), and unconjugated estriol (uE3). The quad screen measures these three substances plus the hormone inhibin A. For more information about estriol and hCG, see the medical tests Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) in the Blood, Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), and Hormone Inhibin A.
• In some cases a combination of screening tests is done in the first trimester to look for Down syndrome. The integrated test combines ultrasound measurement of the thickness of the fetus's neck (nuchal translucency) and measurements of beta-HCG and a protein called pregnancy-associated plasma protein A to check for problems. For more information, see:

  Should I have the maternal serum screening test (triple or quad screen)?

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Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS Carrie Henley	Last Updated: August 6, 2007
Medical Review:	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine
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