Estrogen Metabolism Assessment, Urine - Genova Test Kit
The Estrogen Metabolism Assessment is a hormone test which evaluates how estrogen is being processed in the body and if the bad estrogens are being built up which may lead to cancer, both breast and prostate, osteoporosis, heart disease and autoimmune disorders.
Description
This test should NOT be performed on individuals with kidney disorders. Abnormal kidney function or use of diuretics may influence test results. Synthetic hormones will not show up on the test and conjugated equine estrogens will show up mostly as estrone.
The potential impact of estrogen on a woman’s health and wellbeing is enormous. Acting in a seemingly paradoxical fashion, this powerful hormone can exert a strong influence in diverse conditions such as breast cancer, osteoporosis, heart disease, and autoimmune disorders. Recent scientific advances into how this hormone is metabolized in the body are shedding new light on estrogen’s dual nature—leading to more effective clinical interventions in estrogen-dependent conditions.
Estrogen is metabolized in two ways. Along one pathway, it is converted into a powerful metabolite, 16alpha-hydroxyestrone (16alpha-OHE1), that acts to stimulate target tissues. Levels of 16alpha-OHE1 can rise in response to obesity, alcohol consumption, and toxic exposure. High levels of this potent metabolite are linked with increased risk and poorer prognosis in conditions associated with estrogen excess, including breast cancer and lupus.
Alternately, the body can break down estrogen into a much weaker metabolite, called 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1). This metabolite binds weakly to cell receptors and may slow cell proliferation. However, excessive levels of 2-OHE1 may increase the risk of developing conditions associated with estrogen deficiency, such as heart disease, depression, and osteoporosis.
A proper balance between 2-OHE1 and 16alpha-OHE1 is the key to optimal health.