Estrogen/progesterone ratio information

[ChEMom]

I copied this from another post by Siobhan because I know next to nothing about sex hormones. So here you go:

In case anyone else is interested, how I calculate the ratio is:

1 ng = 1000 pg Estradiol is reported in pg/ml, Progesterone in ng/ml.

Progesterone is 9.8, so to convert - 9.8 x 1000 = 9800

Estradiol is 63.4.

Let's get the ratio: 9800 / 63.4 = 155

To be even more precise, let's convert both of them into pMol and use conversion factors that account for the difference in molecular weight between estrogen and progesterone.

The conversion factor for estradiol is 3.671. The conversion factor for progesterone is 3.18.

So, E at 63.4 x 3.671 = 232.7
And P at 9800 x 3.18 = 31,164

Now, let's get the ratio with the molecular weights adjusted and having converted both into pMol.

31,164 / 232.7 = 133.9

An ideal ratio would be at least 200, but preferably closer to 300.

More good info. from Siobhan:

You need to test both estrogen and progesterone on Day 21 (or 7 days post ovulation). Otherwise, you cannot establish the ratio between them. Just knowing what progesterone is on Day 21 will give you NO useful information as you won't know where it lays in relation to estradiol and therefore, whether it's normal or not. Progesterone rules the second half of the cycle, whereas estrogen rules the first half.

Testing estrogen on Day 3 along with LH and FSH will tell you if you're producing enough estrogen early in the cycle. Testing LH and FSH then will give you an idea of what's going on to stimulate ovarian function. Testing LH and FSH on Day 21 won't really help as they're not at work during the second half of the cycle. They work early in the cycle and up to right before ovulation in order to stimulate egg maturation and then, ovulation.

You can test testosterone any time really but Day 3 is as good as any day.

[hardasnails1973]

Its easier to get a copy from salvia test or blood serum in the 18-20 day of luteal phase during cycle.

[sallycinnamon]

Janet, do you know if this is for Day 21 of cycle or Day 3?

[ChEMom]

I'm not sure Sally. Let me PM her and ask.

[DaveW]

Hello,

Does the recommended targeted progesterone to estradiol ratio of 200 to 300 apply to men too?

If not, what would be an appropriate general target ratio for men?

[Nigel]

Estradiol levels for men should be lower. Something like 15 to 30 at the absolute highest. Progesterone levels should be lower as well. Men need progesterone and some take progesterone cream in a micro dose if it's really low. You'd have to Google for that info.

We've got a Men's Forum to deal with this stuff, BTW.

[hypothyroidceliac]

Does the recommended targeted progesterone to estradiol ratio of 200 to 300 apply to men too?

Yes, for saliva testing.

[beth]

What would a good ratio be for a female in menopause? I haven't had a period since September, and had blood work done in April. My ratio came out to 17.54, just converting to pg, or 15.2, if I use the conversion factors. Yikes.
(I think I did it right - my Progesterone was 0.2 ng/mL and Estradiol was 11.4 pg/mL.)
I started using Progest cream after the results. Will future testing be accurate once I'm doing that?
Thanks.
Beth

[MandyBeth]

So how do I figure what day to test on, when I don't have a regular cycle? I may ovulate on day 3, it may be on day 47.

[ChEMom]

Do you chart your basal temps? If so, that will tell you.

[MandyBeth]

Yep, but that's just as crazy. What do I watch for?

[ChEMom]

A jump up of about 0.5 degrees F. That indicates ovulation.

[hypothyroidceliac]

If you're not having good luck with your temps, you can buy OTC ovulation kits at any pharmacy that detect the LH surge which occurs within 48 hours of ovulation. Then, you can be fairly sure when you ovulate (within 48 hours anyway) and test about 7 days later.

[hypothyroidceliac]

What would a good ratio be for a female in menopause? I haven't had a period since September, and had blood work done in April. My ratio came out to 17.54, just converting to pg, or 15.2, if I use the conversion factors. Yikes.
(I think I did it right - my Progesterone was 0.2 ng/mL and Estradiol was 11.4 pg/mL.)
I started using Progest cream after the results. Will future testing be accurate once I'm doing that?
Thanks.
Beth

I am soooo sorry for not answering this for so long. I forget to check this forum. A good ratio for a woman in menopause is the same as a good ratio for any woman. I saw something from a doctor the other day which everyone should remember:

Beware the doctor that tells you your hormones levels are "normal". It is important to understand that when discussing hormone levels, we need to ask not "What is normal?", but rather "What is optimal?". Because hormones "normally" decrease with age, we need to compare the levels to that of a man or woman in their 20s. -- John D. Carr, M.D.

You are exceptionally low in progesterone indeed. I'm glad you're using cream now. However, cream is not easily picked up in blood tests because of the way it's deposited, and therefore, it's going to be tough to test and get any kind of accurate information from this point onwards.