Estrogens

• Blood estrogen levels are a more accurate indicator of how well the ovaries are working than urinary estrogen levels.
• Tests that measure blood levels of progesterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone are often used to study the problems that can affect fertility and the menstrual cycle. For more information, see the topics Reference Progesterone, Reference Luteinizing Hormone, and Reference Follicle-Stimulating Hormone.
• In some cases a combination of screening tests is done in the first trimester to look for Reference Down syndrome Opens New Window. The first trimester screening often combines ultrasound measurement of the thickness of the fetus's neck (nuchal translucency) and measurements of hCG and a protein called pregnancy-associated plasma protein A to check for problems. For more information, see the topic Reference Birth Defects Testing.
• The level of estriol in the blood is often used in a maternal serum triple or quadruple screening test. For more information, see the topic Reference Triple or Quad Screening for Birth Defects.

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