17-beta-estradiol

17-beta-estradiol is the essential estrogen of the sexually mature woman, from the granulosa cells of the maturing follicle and in pregnant women in the placenta. 17-beta-estradiol is produced by aromatizing testosterone, but also estrone. The concentration of 17-beta-estradiol changes in the course of the female cycle. In males the production takes place in the testicles and the adrenal cortex.

Standard values for women (standard values in pg/ml) - Conversion factor: pg/ml x 3.671 = pmol/l

• Prepubertal: < 20
• Early follicular: 20-190
• Preovulatory: 150-350
• Luteal: 100-200
• Postmenopausal: < 30
• Men: <40
• Pregnancy 1st Trimenon: 300-7.000
• Pregnancy 2nd Trimenon: 1.000-17.900
• Pregnancy 3rd Trimenon: 4.300-17.600

Suspicion of cycle disorders

Assessment of ovarian function

Monitoring of follicle maturation (oocyte maturation)

Suspicion of oestrogen-producing tumours

Determination of the need for substitution during the menopause

Control of sterility therapy

Determination methods: ECLIA; LIA; ID-GC/MS

Interpretation: increased values in women

• Follicular persistence - absence of follicular sprouting with excessive hormone production
• Oestrogen-producing tumours (granulosa and thecacell tumour)
• Liver dysfunction such as cirrhosis (connective tissue remodelling of the liver with functional impairment) - Slowing down of the oestradiol metabolism
• renal dysfunction - slowing down of the oestradiol metabolism
• Estrogen substitution and overdose
• Periovulatory phase (phase around ovulation)
• Gravidity (pregnancy)

Interpretation: increased values in men

• Adiposity (obesity)
• Hormone producing tumors
• Liver dysfunction such as cirrhosis (connective tissue remodelling of the liver with functional impairment) - Slowing down of the oestradiol metabolism
• renal dysfunction - slowing down of the oestradiol metabolism

Interpretation: lowered values for women

• primary ovarian insufficiency
• Menopause
• Secondary ovarian insufficiency
• Taking hormonal contraceptives
• Lack of stimulation of the ovary
• Pituitary insufficiency: Corpus luteum insufficiency; anovulation

When interpreting the measured values, the phase of the cycle must always be taken into account (specify the day of the cycle on the day of blood collection or the first day of the last menstrual period).

1. Böhm C et al (2017) in: Neumeister B et al. clinical guide to laboratory diagnostics. Urban&Fischer Publisher Munich S. 341