Estronex Profile - Urine Test

The Estronex Profile measures six important estrogen metabolites and their ratios to help women, and even men, assess whether he or she is at risk of developing estrogen sensitive cancers.

Estrogen sensitive cancers include uterine, ovarian, cervical, prostate, and even head and neck cancers. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the US during 2009; about 1,910 new cases are expected in men. Avoid chances of becoming a statistic and assess estrogen levels and decrease risk with the Estronex Profile.

The Estronex Profile measures six important estrogen metabolites, and ratios, including:

The "Good" Estrogen

  • 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1) - high levels of 2-OHE1 are ideal to reduce cancer growth.
  • 2-hydroxyestradiol (2-OHE2) - shown to exhibit anti-carcinogenic effects.
  • 2-methoxyestrone (2-OMeE1) - OMeE1 has shown to have anticancer effects and is ideal in high levels.
  • 4-methoxyestrone (4-OMeE1) - as a non-cancerous metabolite, OMeE1 generally does not require treatment at high levels in the body.

The "Bad" Estrogen

  • 4-hydroxyestrone (4-OHE1) - considered a "bad" estrogen, 4-OHE1 levels should be low, as high levels may react negatively with damaged DNA.
  • 16-α-hydroxyestrone (16α-OHE1) - also considered a "bad" estrogen, 16α-OHE1 in high levels may encourage tumor development.

The Ratios

  • 2-OHE:16α-OHE1 (2:16 ratio) - 2:16 ratios less than 2.0 indicate increasing long-term risk for breast, cervical, and other estrogen sensitive cancers. Importantly, nutritional interventions can help raise Estronex 2:16 ratios and decrease long-term risk. Studies also indicate that this risk is modifiable!
  • 2-OHE1:2-OMeE1 - a high level of 2-OHE1:2-OMeE1 may also indicate imbalanced estrogen metabolism and low activity in the COMT gene. Evaluation of methylation activity is recommended.

Advantages of the Estronex Profile:

  • An easy-to-collect first-morning urine specimen; no blood draw is necessary!
  • Cost-effective method to assess estrogen metabolism allowing clinicians to retest often to monitor therapy in patients.
  • Easy to incorporate into a breast cancer prevention program.
  • Ideal for men to evaluate risk of breast and prostate cancer.

I offer the Estronex testing to all my patients because it enables them to evaluate their personal risk for developing breast, ovarian, and colon cancer based on how their body is detoxifying estrogen. I tell my patients that no matter how you get the hormones, whether it is from what your body produces naturally, what hormones you take in such as with hormonal therapy, or what you are getting from your environment such as with xenoestrogens, it is important to know what your body is doing with it. With that knowledge patients can be put in charge of their own health and work dietarily to reduce their risk. This is very empowering!