Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood (serum)
- Fasting: Not required
- Turn-around: 4–6 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Gold standard accuracy with precise estrone measurement
- No doctor visit required - order directly and get results through secure online portals
- Comprehensive hormone insights to guide menopause management and HRT decisions
- Early cancer risk detection through monitoring estrone levels linked to hormone-sensitive cancers
- Cost-effective testing often more affordable than traditional physician-ordered labs
- Convenient scheduling with walk-in availability and quick turnaround times
Who Is This Test For?
- Women experiencing menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and irregular periods
- Individuals monitoring hormone replacement therapy effectiveness and safety
- People with family history of hormone-sensitive cancers requiring preventive screening
- Women with irregular menstrual cycles seeking hormonal balance assessment
- Men with gynecomastia needing estrogen level evaluation
- Anyone wanting proactive hormonal health monitoring without physician referrals
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online or walk into any lab location - no appointment needed
- Quick blood draw takes just minutes with 0.5 mL serum sample
- Secure results delivered to your private online portal within 4-6 days
FAQ
What exactly does this test measure? This test measures estrone (E1) levels in your blood using highly accurate LC-MS/MS technology.
Do I need to fast before the test? No fasting is required, but avoid strenuous exercise before your blood draw.
Can men take this test? Yes, men can benefit from estrone testing, especially those with gynecomastia concerns.
How quickly will I get results? Results are typically available within 3-7 business days through your secure online portal.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The Estrone (E1) Blood Test measures levels of estrone, one of three primary estrogen forms in your bloodstream. Estrone becomes the predominant estrogen in postmenopausal women when ovarian estradiol production ceases (Cleveland Clinic 2025). This test provides crucial insights into hormonal changes during menopause, helps monitor hormone replacement therapy effectiveness, and assesses cancer risk in postmenopausal women.
Unlike traditional testing requiring physician visits, this direct-access test eliminates barriers like appointment scheduling and waiting times. The test uses advanced liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methodology, the gold standard for steroid hormone measurement, ensuring highly accurate results for informed healthcare decisions.
Who would benefit from this test?
Women experiencing menopausal symptoms benefit most from estrone testing, as it provides insights into hormonal changes causing hot flashes, mood swings, and irregular periods. Those on hormone replacement therapy can monitor treatment effectiveness and safety through regular estrone level assessment (Mayo Clinic 2025).
Individuals with family history of hormone-sensitive cancers should consider preventive screening, as elevated estrone levels are linked to increased endometrial and breast cancer risk. Men with gynecomastia can evaluate hormonal imbalances contributing to breast tissue development. The test also supports fertility evaluations and helps diagnose conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
When should I order an Estrone (E1) Blood Test?
Order this test during perimenopause or menopause transition when experiencing symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, or irregular bleeding. Women on hormone replacement therapy should test every 3-6 months to monitor treatment effectiveness and adjust dosages appropriately (Mayo Clinic 2025).
Consider testing if you have unexplained fatigue, mood changes, or weight gain that could indicate hormonal imbalances. Those with family history of hormone-sensitive cancers should include estrone testing in preventive health screening. The test is also valuable when investigating fertility issues or confirming menopausal status for treatment planning.
How do I interpret the results?
≤65 pg/mL (postmenopausal):
- What it means: Normal range
- Typical action: Continue monitoring
10–138 pg/mL (premenopausal, follicular phase):
- What it means: Normal cycling
- Typical action: No action needed
16–173 pg/mL (premenopausal, luteal phase):
- What it means: Normal cycling
- Typical action: No action needed
≤68 pg/mL (men):
- What it means: Normal range
- Typical action: No action needed
Elevated levels:
- What it means: Possible increased cancer risk
- Typical action: Consult healthcare provider
Approximately 1.3 million women enter menopause annually in the United States, making estrone monitoring increasingly important for women's health.
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
No fasting is required for estrone testing, making it convenient for walk-in appointments. Avoid strenuous exercise prior to blood draw and schedule testing in a rested state for most accurate results. Inform the laboratory of current medications, particularly hormone therapy or birth control, as these can affect results.
Women who are still menstruating should note their menstrual cycle day, as estrone levels fluctuate throughout the cycle. No special dietary restrictions are needed, but maintain your normal routine before testing for consistent baseline measurements.
How often should I get tested?
- Hormone replacement therapy monitoring: Every 3–6 months
- Menopausal transition: Every 6–12 months
- Cancer risk monitoring: Annually
- General preventive screening: Every 1–2 years
- Symptom investigation: As needed
Why early detection matters
Early detection of hormonal imbalances through estrone testing supports preventive interventions before symptoms become severe. Studies show 4.2-fold increased risk of endometrial cancer with long-term unopposed estrogen use, while estrogen-progestin therapy increases breast cancer risk by 40-70% after extended use (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 2020).
Monitoring estrone levels helps identify optimal timing for hormone replacement therapy and guides treatment adjustments. With 2.6 million people in England taking HRT in 2023/24 - a 22% increase from the previous year - proper hormone monitoring becomes increasingly critical for safe, effective treatment (Independent 2024).
Related tests you may consider
Estradiol (E2) Test pairs perfectly with estrone testing to provide comprehensive estrogen assessment. The estrone-to-estradiol ratio helps evaluate menopausal status and monitor hormone therapy effectiveness.
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) is essential since most circulating estrone is bound to SHBG and albumin. SHBG levels help interpret bioavailable estrone and are crucial for monitoring hormone replacement therapy effects.
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) provide confirmatory diagnosis of menopause and help distinguish between primary ovarian failure and hypothalamic-pituitary causes of low estrogen states.
