Quest 4021x Estradiol (E2) Test

Just a heads up...my Quest district has changed the reference range of their 4021x Estradiol test from 13-54 pg/mL to 0-39 pg/mL.

http://www.questdiagnostics.co...

This may or may not be a nation wide thing and we are the first to adopt it. I can't find any info on it other than that.

I like the new ranges though! Hopefully will make it a little easier for men on TRT to sort out their E2 issues since they will be "above range" much more easily now.

I am attempting to find out "why I'm cold all of the time?" I haven't seen this explained, if someone can point me in the right direction I would greatly appreciate the help...

sweating can be caused by an electrolyte imbalance potentially caused by low Aldosterone (tied to progesterone/cortisol production). Thyroid/Cortisol issues are linked so it is not any stretch to include Aldosterone in the mix of systems effected.

Thank you both for the replies...

Should the folate test from LabCorp be Folate (folic acid) or Folate (RBC and Serum)?

Also, would there be any benefit to getting labs to check for inflammation? i.e. CRP, homocysteine, etc? If so what would you recommend?

Thank you.

Can you explain the causes of brittle hair, ridges in the nails, and thinned skin on the top of the hands? Is TRT a treatment that will reverse this? Thanks

TRT can fix thinning skin which is collagen loss from a catabolic state. My skin was thin and when pinched up it was slow to recover. TRT fixed that in a few months. Brittle hair can also be a symptom of hypothyroidism. Read the advice for new guys sticky.

Thanks KSman for all the time you have invested to help others.

I would like to add that if you have thyroid issues. DEMAND a thyroid ultrasound, tyroglobulin, antibodies test along with a full thyroid panel with free t4 free t3. It can literally save your life. Many people have goiter, nodules, and cysts, which can be revealed by ultrasound. Avoid soy products they can cause thyroid issues.

Also if your pinky finger does not pass the third line on your ring finger and you have dry elbows you are predisposed to thyroid issues and should keep a close eye on it. If you have this in both hands you inherit it from both sides of the family. I learned all this from a thyroid specialist who has been working since 1948 his name is Boris Catz btw he is 86 and still sees patients in Los Angeles.

Please stick to the point of this sticky.

Please only ask about things that are general to the topic that have not been made clear already.

Do not discuss your personal situation here. Read the beginning of the first post in this sticky.

Use your own thread for things that pertain to you.

KSman - Can you please confirm if the first post in this sticky contains a typo? It reads as follows:

Labs to never do and timing issues:
-DO NOT test E2 ultra sensitive


... my question is why not? Many of the other posts indicate that we need to measure E2. The levels will be lower in men, so isn't an ultra sensitive test preferable?

There were many debates long ago. Do not know all of the issues that were current. With Labcorp, the standard test works great. And some labs used to not report in the ranges that we are interested in. Really needs to be in the context of each specific lab. You may have pulled your finding out of context.

I am confused by your comment about hugging puppies and babies.
I'm new to TRT (one month) and I have a puppy AND a baby - and I hug them as much as I can.
Would you please explain what you meant?
Thanks,
Nate

Orgasm, babies, puppies and other huggy and bonding events involve a release of prolactin which could affect your prolactin lab work. Note that prolactin release at orgasm is one of the primary reasons that men have a period of time after orgasm where sexual activity cannot happen. There is some study data somewhere that shows that holding a baby increases a man's prolactin.

The quest diagnostics sensitive (4021x) is not available, what test should I use Estradiol or Estradiol Ultra sensitive? My guess is they combined the sensitive with one and not sure how to tell which one.

sorry- moved to own thread.

Kingsix, you'll need to start your own thread so we can track your case in one thread. I'm a newbie, too, and I noticed the guys here don't like it when you post about your own situation in the stickies or start different threads about your own situation. Also, read up on the stickies.

if someone is on weekly injections yes i read the protocol :). when would you suggest lab work be taken? end of week?

I suggest 1/2 between injections as that number will be more representative of your overall T levels.