Sex hormones tests

Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health, 20050229 by Victoria E. DeMoranville

pregnancy

Decreased levels of estrogen are found in the following conditions:

ovarian dysfunction

interuterine death in pregnancy

anorexia nervosa

primary and secondary hypogonadism

turner syndrome

infantilism

menopausal and post-menopausal symptoms

pituitary insufficiency

psychogenic stress

Progesterone levels for women during the follicular phase normally range from 0.1-1.5 ng/mL and 2-24 ng/mL during the luteal phase. The normal range for the mid-luteal peak is 4.5-25.5 ng/mL. For post meanopausal women, results fall below 1.0 ng/mL. Results for pregnant women are as follows:

first trimester: 9-50 ng/mL

second trimester: 18-150 ng/mL

third trimester: 60-260 ng/mL

For men, the normal progesterone value is 0.1-0.3 ng/mL. For children, normal values run from 7-51 ng/mL.

Increased levels of progesterone are seen:

during ovulation and pregnancy

with certain types of ovarian cysts

with a tumor of the ovary known as a choriocarcinoma

Decreased levels of progesterone are seen:

in toxemia of pregnancy

with a threatened abortion

during placental failure

after fetal death

with amenorrhea

due to gonadal dysfunction

Normal ranges for testosterone are generally 300-1,200 ng/dL for men, and 30-95 ng/dL for women. Boys between the ages of six and nine have normal values in the range of 3-30 ng/dL, while for girls of the same age the range is 2-20 ng/dL.

In men, increased levels are found in:

sexual precocity

adrenal hyperplasia

testicular tumor

hyperthyroidism

testicular feminization

In men, decreased levels are found in:

Klinefelter syndrome

primary and secondary hypogonadism

Down syndrome

orchiectomy

impotence

gynecomastia

In women, increased levels of testosterone are most commonly associated with ovarian and adrenal tumors and hirsutism.

Health care team roles

Physicians order sex hormone tests and interpret the results often with the assistance of endocrinologists. A nurse or phlebotomist collect the blood samples. Testing is performed by clinical laboratory scientists/medical technologists.

Key Terms

AmenorrheaCessation of the menstrual cycle.

GynecomastiaExcessive development of the male mammary glands, even to the functional state.

HirsutismExcessive bodily and facial hair, especially in women.

Hypogonadism Underactivity of the testes.

OrchiectomyRemoval of one or both testes.

SpermatogenesisThe production of sperm.

VirilismThe presence of male characteristics in women.