Ordering the Estrogen Metabolism, Urine | Breast Cancer Risk Assessment
Ordering the Estrogen Metabolism, Urine | Breast Cancer Risk Assessment helps measure how your body breaks down estrogen, which can affect your risk for certain conditions like breast cancer, fibroids, and hormone imbalances. Interestingly, the test can also show how well your liver is working to process and remove estrogen, which is not widely known.
When ordering this test, you can expect the following specific benefits:
- Shows the balance between “good” and “bad” estrogen breakdown products.
- Helps track changes after starting new supplements or hormone therapy.
- Gives clear numbers to help guide decisions about diet and lifestyle changes.
- Reveals if your body is making more of the estrogen type linked to higher breast cancer risk.
- Can be used as a baseline to monitor changes over time.
Who Should Consider Hormone Metabolite Testing
People who have a family history of breast cancer, experience irregular periods, or have symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, or unexplained weight gain may benefit from this test. For example, someone who has been feeling tired, dealing with mood swings, and noticing changes in their menstrual cycle might want to know if their estrogen breakdown is playing a role.
Ordering this test may also be helpful in these situations:
- Someone starting or changing hormone replacement therapy.
- People with a history of fibroids or endometriosis.
- Those with unexplained breast pain or tenderness.
- Anyone with a personal or family history of osteoporosis.
- People who have been exposed to environmental toxins that may affect hormone balance.
Testing can help you see if your body is making more of the estrogen type linked to higher risk for certain conditions, and it can help you and your doctor decide on next steps. Delaying this test could mean missing early changes in estrogen breakdown that are easier to address when caught sooner.
Preparing for Urine Estrogen Analysis
Fasting is not required for this urine test, so you can eat and drink as usual before collecting your sample. Always follow any instructions your doctor or healthcare provider gives you to make sure your sample is collected the right way and your results are as useful as possible.
Labs Included When Ordering Your Estrogen Metabolism, Urine | Breast Cancer Risk Assessment
| Test Name | Reference Range | What This Biomarker Means | Low and High Levels of Estrogen Metabolism, Urine | Breast Cancer Risk Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creatinine | 0.3 – 3.0 | Creatinine is used to check if your urine sample is concentrated enough for accurate hormone measurement. It helps make sure your results are not affected by how much you drank before the test. |
High levels mean your urine is very concentrated, which can affect hormone readings.
Low levels mean your urine is too diluted, which can make hormone levels look lower than they are. |
| 2-Hydroxyestrone | 0.5 – 2.2 | 2-Hydroxyestrone is a “good” estrogen breakdown product. Higher levels are linked to a lower risk of breast and other hormone-related cancers. |
High levels mean your body is making more protective estrogen byproducts.
Low levels mean your body may not be breaking down estrogen in a way that lowers risk for certain conditions. |
| 16 a-Hydroxyestrone | 0.2 – 1.2 | 16 a-Hydroxyestrone is a “bad” estrogen breakdown product. Higher levels are linked to a higher risk of breast and other hormone-related cancers. |
High levels mean your body is making more of the estrogen type linked to higher risk.
Low levels mean your body is making less of this risk-related estrogen byproduct. |
| 2:16 Ratio | >1.5 | The 2:16 ratio compares “good” to “bad” estrogen breakdown products. A higher ratio means your body is making more protective estrogen byproducts compared to risk-related ones. |
High levels mean your body is making more protective estrogen byproducts compared to risk-related ones.
Low levels mean your body is making more of the risk-related estrogen byproducts. |
Reference ranges may change slightly as labs update their methods and guidelines.
Estrogen Metabolism, Urine | Breast Cancer Risk Assessment FAQ
Is there Estrogen Metabolism, Urine | Breast Cancer Risk Assessment testing near me?
This is a test kit you can use at home, so you can collect your urine sample locally and send it in. If you have symptoms like irregular periods or breast pain, being able to order and collect the sample easily helps you get answers without delay—check the draw location link at the top of the page for more details.
How do I interpret the test results?
While your treating physician should review your results, we also offer a one-on-one test results review with our clinical team to help you understand what your numbers mean and what steps you can take next.
What is the cost of the test?
The price you see includes standard shipping to you and back to the lab, but draw fees may apply. Ordering this test is worth it if you want to find out if your estrogen breakdown is linked to symptoms like breast pain or hormone imbalance, so you can take action sooner.
How often should I retest?
It’s best to retest every 6 to 12 months, especially if you are making changes to your diet, supplements, or hormone therapy. Regular testing helps you and your doctor see if your estrogen breakdown is improving or if more changes are needed.
How accurate is the test?
This test uses liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), which is highly specific and sensitive for measuring estrogen metabolites in urine. The specificity is 98% and the sensitivity is 97%. TrueHealthLabs.com partners with CLIA-certified and CAP-certified laboratories to uphold rigorous testing standards for dependable results.
Important Notes
None.
Medical Review Board
Reviewed by Jeff Donohue M.D. from Body Logic and Brady Hurst DC, CCCN. Written by True Health Lab’s team of editorial health contributors.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and not intended as medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.
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