Patient's question:
What preparations are needed for a checkup at the hospital to measure estrogen levels in the body?What are the specific tests involved?
Are there any symptoms in daily life that can indicate a decline in estrogen levels? I had a miscarriage after terminating a 6-month pregnancy, and in the year that followed, my menstrual flow was significantly reduced. Even after taking traditional Chinese medicine for regulation, there was no improvement. Does a decrease in estrogen levels affect menstrual flow? Does it impact fertility and the health of the fetus?
Follow-up question: After each menstrual period, I experience brown discharge, which lasts for 3 to 4 days and occurs every month. I’m not sure what this means.
Doctor's answer:
The normal values of six estrogen tests are important indicators for assessing whether estrogen levels are normal. The specific ranges are as follows:1. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): Promotes the development and maturation of ovarian follicles. Normal values: In the pre-ovulatory phase, 1.5-10 mIU/ml; during ovulation, 8-20 mIU/ml; in the post-ovulatory phase, 2-10 mIU/ml.
2. Luteinizing hormone (LH): Stimulates ovulation, forms the corpus luteum, and secretes progesterone. Low FSH levels may be seen during estrogen-progestogen therapy, etc. Normal values: In the pre-ovulatory phase, 2-15 mIU/ml; during ovulation, 30-100 mIU/ml; in the post-ovulatory phase, 4-10 mIU/ml.
3. Prolactin (PRL): A purely protein hormone that promotes breast hyperplasia, milk production, and lactation. Normal values: In non-lactating women, the normal blood PRL level is 0.08-0.92 nmol/L. Levels above 1.0 nmol/L indicate hyperprolactinemia.
4. Estradiol (E2): Promotes the transformation of the endometrium into the proliferative phase and the development of secondary sexual characteristics. Normal values: Blood E2 concentration in the pre-ovulatory phase is 48-521 nmol/L; during ovulation, 70-1835 nmol/L; in the post-ovulatory phase, 272-793 nmol/L. Early ovarian dysfunction and Sheehan syndrome may be present.
5. Progesterone (P): Promotes the transformation of the endometrium from the proliferative phase to the secretory phase. Normal values: Blood P concentration in the pre-ovulatory phase is 0-4.8 nmol/L; in the post-ovulatory phase, 7.6-97.6 nmol/L. Conditions such as luteal dysfunction and ovulatory dysfunctional uterine bleeding may be present.
6. Testosterone (T): Approximately 25% is secreted by the adrenal cortex, and only 25% comes from the ovaries. Promotes the development of the clitoris and mons pubis. Normal values: The normal blood T concentration in women is 0.7-3.1 nmol/L. High blood T levels can lead to infertility.