Discovered something interesting about the Methodology used in Estradiol tests.

[killergoalie]

I know a few men in B.C. Canada, as well as other areas in Canada who are on HRT/TRT have been trying to find a lab in B.C./Canada that performs the "sensitive" Estradiol test.

If the actual METHODOLOGY used to perform/analyze the tests makes a difference, then I just received what might be some very helpful information, and thought I might pass it along.


According to LabCorps information on both their "standard" Estradiol test, and their "sensitive" Estradiol test, one of the main differences besides the reference ranges...which seem to vary depending on which lab does the testing from LabCorp to LabQuest etc, is the METHODOLOGY used to do the actual testing.

For the Standard Estradiol test, they use the "Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay" (ECLIA) method...as does B.C. Biomedical Labs, LifeLabs in B.C. etc.

However...

For the Sensitive Estradiol test, LabCorp uses the "Radioimmunoassay" (RIA) method, which according to some things that I've read, is a much more "SENSITIVE" method of testing.

Now the good news hopefully for TRT/HRT patients in Vancouver, or surrounding areas, I have just been informed that St. Paul's Hospital in fact uses the "Radioimmunoassay" (RIA) method to perform their Estradiol test. It is the only place that I have found in the Lower Mainland that uses this method.

So while they may not have a specific "sensitive" Estradiol test as an option, since they use the same method to analyze/perform the test that LabCorp uses to perform their "sensitive" Estradiol test, it seems logical to conclude that it is in fact the "sensitive" Estradiol test.

Unless the actual methodology used to perform the tests is irrelevant, in which case, would render my excitement premature, and moot.

If it does make a difference, then one would just have to find a lab that uses the "Radioimmunoassay" (RIA) method to test Estradiol, and hopefully they should be good to go.

I apologize for the long winded spiel, but I'm just looking to help out fellow TRT/HRT patients looking for the sensitive Estradiol test in B.C./Canada.

Perhaps someone with a bit/lot more knowledge on testing methods could shine some light on this, and correct me if I'm way off base...which wouldn't be a first for me. But hey, I'm just trying to help.

[killergoalie]

Found this on another forum which may add to "our" hope...

"For estradiol, you need the most sensitive assay available. LabCorp calls this estradiol, sensitive which uses Radioimmunoassay (RIA). The less sensitive estradiol test from LabCorp uses Immunochemiluminometric assay (ICMA), (Now they use Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA)) and you don't want that one."

and from yet another forum, in reference to the "sensitive" Estradiol test...

"The one you need from Quest is called "The Nichols Estradiol Assay (Extraction/Chromatography/RIA Method) (Order Code 30289)" range 10 to 50 I took this off my last test with Quest last yr."


So it really does seem as if the method used is significant, and it seems to be the RIA method.

[HRTstudent]

Good work gumshoes!

[killergoalie]

Good work gumshoes!

LOL, thanks.

However, maybe I'm reading way too much into this, and as long as whatever Estradiol test a man uses has a reference range specifically for males, then maybe that test should be/is good/accurate enough to determine his Estradiol levels...regardless of whether or not it's an official "sensitive" or "ultra sensitive" Estradiol test.

[HRTstudent]

It might not matter a whole lot, but definitely choose the best test you can choose and then use that same one. That way, at least, you can compare and make relative changes.

[killergoalie]

Exactly my thinking. If you keep switching from one test to another, it's going to be difficult to get an accurate reading of where your levels actually are since each test seems to have it's own reference ranges. One test might show very elevated levels, while another may in fact show levels well within "normal" range, or possibly even too low.

Consistency seems to be the key.