Sex Hormones Tests Health Article

Definition

Sex hormones tests include tests that measure levels of estrogen (estradiol and estriol), progesterone, and testosterone (total and free).

Purpose

In non-pregnant women, a test of estradiol (E2) levels is ordered to evaluate delayed sexual maturity, precocious puberty, menstrual problems, and infertility, and ovarian failure. It is also used to test for tumors in both males and females that secrete estrogen. The test is also used to measure estrogen secretion in males who present with gynecomastia and feminization in male children.

Estriol (E3), another estrogen, is only ordered for pregnant women (typically at 15–18 weeks gestation). The test is used as part of the triple marker screen (in association with alpha fetoprotein and chorionic gonadotropin) for Down syndrome.

A progesterone test is ordered to evaluate women for anovulation, and to investigate precocious puberty. Progesterone may be measured in those persons with ovarian or adrenal cancer that secrete progesterone.

The testosterone test (free testosterone and/or total testosterone) is used to evaluate delayed sexual development, male sexual precocity, testicular failure, virilism in females, infertility, and tumors that secrete testosterone.

Precautions

Both the estrogen and testosterone test are most often measured by radioimmunosasay and results can be affected by radioactive scans. When RIA is used the estradiol or estriol tests should not be performed on a patient who has received radioactive dye within 48 hours prior to the test. For RIA testosterone tests, the period between the scan and the test should be at least seven days. Oral contraceptives may interfere with progesterone and estradiol results. Tetracycline, some phenothiazines, diazepam, clomiphene, and some vitamins may interfere with estradiol results.

Estradiol and progesterone results vary with the phase of the menstrual cycle, and this must be taken into account when interpreting the results of these tests.

Sex hormone tests are performed on blood collected by venipuncture. The nurse or phlebotomist performing the procedure should observe universal precautions for the prevention of transmission of bloodborne pathogens.

Description

The sex hormones control the development of primary and secondary sexual characteristics and regulate the sex-related functions of the body, such as the menstrual cycle, and the production of eggs or sperm. Because of their normally low concentration in plasma the sex hormones are typically measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA), chemiluminescence immunoassay, or fluorescent immunoassay.