Continued
How It Feels
You may feel nothing at all from the needle, or you may feel a quick sting or pinch. Some people feel a stinging pain while the needle is in the vein. But many people feel little or no pain after the needle is in the vein.
Risks
There is very little chance of a problem from having a blood sample taken from a vein.
- You may get a small bruise at the site. You can lower the chance of bruising by keeping pressure on the site for several minutes.
- In rare cases, the vein may become swollen after the blood sample is taken. This problem is called phlebitis. You can use a warm compress several times a day to treat this.
- Bleeding can be a problem for people who have bleeding disorders or take blood-thinning medicines such as aspirin or warfarin (Coumadin). If you have bleeding or clotting problems, or if you take blood-thinning medicine, tell your doctor before your blood sample is taken.
Results
An estrogen test measures the level of the most important estrogen hormones (estradiol, estriol, and estrone) in a blood or urine sample.
Results are usually available within 24 hours.
Normal
For girls and women between puberty and menopause, estrogen levels vary throughout the menstrual cycle.
These numbers are just a guide. The range for "normal" varies from lab to lab. Your lab may have a different range. Your lab report should show what range your lab uses for "normal." Also, your doctor will evaluate your results based on your health and other factors. So a number that is outside the normal range here may still be normal for you.
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Women before menopause: |
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|---|---|
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Women after menopause: |
Less than 130 pg/mL |
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Men: |
10-130 pg/mL |
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Children: |
Less than 25 pg/mL |
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1st trimester: |
Less than 38 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) |
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|---|---|---|
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2nd trimester: |
38-140 ng/mL |
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|
31-460 ng/mL |
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Many conditions can change estrogen levels. Your doctor will talk with you about any important abnormal results as they relate to your symptoms and past health.