Hormone Test

sex hormone test

Dr. Nithin Jayan
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Nithin Jayan, MBBS, DNB
Last Updated on May 29, 2014
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Test : sex hormone test


Indications : The sex hormone test is useful in diagnosing a range of conditions including fertility-related issues, puberty and menopause related issues and in diagnosing sex-hormone producing tumors.

Some of the factors that affect the test include - the timing of test, recent nuclear scan and certain hormone based medications.

For the test, blood is drawn from a vein on the forearm through venipuncture and sent to the laboratory.

Physiology : Sex hormone test is carried out to test the blood level of the major sex hormones- estrogen and progesterone in women and testosterone in men.

Estrogen stimulates sexual maturity in females. Progesterone helps to maintain pregnancy. Testosterone stimulates male fertility and secondary sexual characters.

Abnormal levels of sex hormones are often associated with endocrine dysfunction especially the pituitary and adrenal glands, hence this test is usually carried out along with other hormone tests.

Normal Range : Estrogen-24-149pg/ml,testosterone-300-1200ng/dL,progesterone-menopausal women-150ng/Dl-2000ng/dL,Premenopausal-1500-2000ng/dL

Interpretation :

Normal

Estrogen-24-149pg/ml,
Testosterone-300-1200ng/dL,
Progesterone:
Menopausal women-150ng/Dl-2000ng/dL,
Premenopausal-1500-2000ng/Dl

Estrogen

Low levels indicate ovarian failure, pituitary dysfunction, or menopause.

High estrogen levels could indicate estrogen-producing tumors or severe liver disease such as cirrhosis. In men it could indicate testicular tumors.

Progesterone

Low levels - ovarian or pituitary gland dysfunction or pregnancy-related problems.

High levels - linked to ovulation, pregnancy, ovarian cysts, adrenal gland disorders, or certain tumors.

Testosterone

Low levels - Pituitary gland dysfunction, testicular / prostate cancer, orchiectomy (removal of the testes), estrogen therapy, liver cirrhosis.

High levels - Benign and malignant tumors of adrenal gland and hyperthyroidism. In women, it may be caused by ovarian or adrenal tumors or PCO syndrome.



References :



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