LabCorp sensitive E2 assay

**ecdysone** · 05-11-2012, 12:19 PM

Dr. Crisler on his forum recently commented that there were some issues with the LabCorp sensitive E2 assay reading low but a rep told him they have been now been resolved.

I contacted one of their scientific directors to get the real story. What happened was a lab tech mixed up a batch of about 130 specimens and reported out the wrong results. Fortunately, LabCorp caught the mistake after reviewing the quality control results and has since contacted all of the patients/doctors and given them the corrected results.

Believe me, mistakes happen in the lab biz, but it's good to see that this one was resolved quickly.

This assay, like all the rest, does have some interference from other estrogens (estrone for example) and if you want the most accurate test you need to order the LC/MS E2 assay.

One interesting fact I was told is that menopausal women are the main users of the sensitive assay.

**sirupate** · 05-11-2012, 12:33 PM

Thanks. Your input is very valuable here. My doctor doesn't use LabCorp, instead uses the lab of the hospital practice he works in...dunno what that means.

**GetItHot** · 05-11-2012, 02:11 PM

Good info. Thanks.

Privatemdlabs has two options. Be sure you choose the right one....

Estradiol, LCMS
Estradiol, Sensitive

**bass** · 05-11-2012, 02:25 PM

I've never used the sensitive assay, my clinic thinks its waist of money and the accuracy of e2 level does not have to be that precise. i will find out if that's the LCMS test they order for me! thanks for the info ECD, it helps to know this stuff does happen!

**ecdysone** · 05-11-2012, 04:26 PM

I would personally disagree with your clinic: some time ago, I did both just to see what I would get and it was something like 24 sensitive vs. 37 regular. I know other guys have said the same with even greater differences. A guy over at Crisler's forum said he got 17 vs. 37.

If your E2 is >40-50 it won't matter, but if it's 10-20 there will often be significant difference. But I would agree a 10 or 15 means about the same thing, so in many cases it's not going to change your therapy. I suppose where it gets touchy is if you are really a 12 but the assay says 24, which would have placed you in a poor range for long term health consequences.

I'm not sure what the LC/MS test priced at but I not sure if you need it - especially if you are going to compare prior sensitive E2 assays to it. The LC/MS will almost certainly be a little lower (within assay precision), but all of the recommendations for the "normal range" for E2 were based on the less selective E2 assays. About the only time it would be the superior test is if you know your E1 (estrone) is high (something you could get from a total estrogens test).