Testosterone and Oestradiol Blood Test

Oestradiol is a female steroid hormone that is made primarily in women's ovaries and only little in men's testicles.

The female reproductive system, breast tissue growth, and bone density are all influenced by this, the strongest of the three oestrogens. Oestradiol levels in premenopausal women fluctuate during the monthly cycle, reaching their highest point at ovulation.

Oestradiol levels in women decrease with ageing, peaking at menopause when the ovaries stop releasing eggs. Hot flashes, nocturnal sweats, and mood swings are just a few of the menopause symptoms that low oestradiol can bring on. Osteoporosis can also result from low oestradiol.

A hormone called testosterone is responsible for male features. It plays a part in controlling bone mass, fat distribution, muscular mass, strength, the creation of red blood cells, and the production of sperm in men.

It also helps to regulate sex drive. Men's testicles and, to a much lesser extent, women's ovaries both produce testosterone. Although lower than normal amounts of testosterone can occur at any age and can result in low libido, erectile dysfunction, difficulties gaining and retaining muscular mass, and lack of energy, testosterone levels in males naturally fall after the age of 30.

Even though testosterone levels in women are significantly lower than in men, it is still vital for the same reasons—it affects libido, how fat and muscle are distributed, and how red blood cells are formed.

Because reference ranges are dependent on the population being tested, they will all somewhat vary between laboratories. 95% of men will fall inside the usual range, which has been determined.

We follow the British Society for Sexual Medicine's (BSSM) recommendations for greater consistency, which state that low testosterone can be diagnosed when levels are consistently below the reference range and that levels below 12 nmol/L may also be considered low, particularly in men who also experience symptoms of low testosterone or who have low levels of free testosterone.