Welp...i'm back off the hCG and AI... :(

[hiram1st]

The range for the standard E2 test at Labcorp is 7.6-42.6 pg/ml. The sensitive assay is 3-70, also in pg/ml.

My standard assay E2 values have been roughly 20 pg/ml higher than the result of my sensitive tests. I've seen other people report that there was more than a 30 pg/ml discrepancy on their tests.

The standard assay is meant to be for women, and not accurate for detecting the small amounts of E2 that men have. Here in the US, any doctor that is well versed in TRT knows to use a sensitive or ultra sensitive test for this reason.

The standard test seems to be fairly accurate at detecting E2 in men when levels are significantly elevated, but at the numbers we're aiming for, its no good. I just don't trust it though. I have low E2 and its proven to be very innaccurate for me.

I'm currently getting TRT dialed in and my sensitive Has been consitently about 20 less than my regular. Regular 32 sensitive 10 on last one and i've had e2 symptoms nipple issue flare ups, acne, sometimes lethargic. Dr. acknowledges the use of the sensitive essay but likes to go by the regular she said that when she specifies that the regular be done for a male that it's very accurate.

She wanted to start me on 1mg of adex e2weeks because of educating here I thought that would be to much, soI filled the script and have been taking as close to .125mg twice a week as I can get with the pill sutter. No more E2 issues.

Up to this week I was 100mg test e7d was prescribed 200mg e14d and I self inject and split it to weekly. She upped the protocol to 200mg e10d which gives me enough to do 70mg e3.5d which i switched to yesterday. Will be getting bloodwork in 6 weeks.

Everybody reacts different to this stuff I would not tell someone not to use the sensitive essay but going by the regular e2 seems to work for me.

 

[Chiefy]

Here is some good information regarding each test from Labcorp:


Estradiol, sensitive

Use: This sensitive estradiol assay is designed for the investigation of infertility, particularly in situations where low estradiol levels can be expected. The analytic range of the assay is appropriate for the assessment of the low levels of estradiol typically observed in men, prepubertal girls, and postmenopausal women. Estradiol levels are useful in the diagnosis of precocious puberty in females and along with gonadotropins can help establish the cause. Estradiol levels in the prepubertal range can help to confirm the diagnosis of delayed puberty in females.

Limitations: Estradiol levels tend to fluctuate dramatically during the perimenopausal transition. There is significant overlap of the expected range in menopausal women with values observed during normal menstrual cycles. Estradiol results obtained with different assay methods cannot be used interchangeably in serial testing. It is recommended that only one assay method be used consistently to monitor serial patient results.



Estradiol

Use: This estradiol assay is designed for the investigation of fertility of women of reproductive age and for the support of in vitro fertilization.

Limitations: Estradiol levels tend to fluctuate dramatically during the perimenopausal transition. There is significant overlap of the expected range in menopausal women with values observed during normal menstrual cycles. Estradiol results obtained with different assay methods cannot be used interchangeably in serial testing. To monitor a patient's serial results, it is best to ensure that the same methodology is used each time the test is performed.


From Quest Diagnostics:

Note: For any patients for whom low estradiol levels are anticipated (e.g. males, pre-pubertal children and hypogonadal/post-menopausal females), the Quest Diagnostics Estradiol, Ultrasensitive, LC/MS/MS assay is recommended (test code 30289).

 

[Alpin]

The range for the standard E2 test at Labcorp is 7.6-42.6 pg/ml. The sensitive assay is 3-70, also in pg/ml.

My standard assay E2 values have been roughly 20 pg/ml higher than the result of my sensitive tests. I've seen other people report that there was more than a 30 pg/ml discrepancy on their tests.

The standard assay is meant to be for women, and not accurate for detecting the small amounts of E2 that men have. Here in the US, any doctor that is well versed in TRT knows to use a sensitive or ultra sensitive test for this reason.

The standard test seems to be fairly accurate at detecting E2 in men when levels are significantly elevated, but at the numbers we're aiming for, its no good. I just don't trust it though. I have low E2 and its proven to be very innaccurate for me.

The reg panel Estradiol has proven to be inaccurate for you?
Canada doesn't have a sensitive estradiol test.

 

[Chiefy]

The reg panel Estradiol has proven to be inaccurate for you?
Canada doesn't have a sensitive estradiol test.

Yup. The standard assay has overstated my E2 value by about 20 pg/ml each time. If I had only done the standard test, I would have thought that my E2 was nearly perfect. In reality it was far too low.

Having the sensitive assay done allowed me to make the correct protocol change to dial in my E2.