The 2/16 estrogen metabolism test could save your life.

Yes, it’s a fact.

The 2/16 estrogen metabolism test is a simple urine test that scientists feel predicts your chances of developing breast cancer.  If you know you have risk factors for breast cancer, there are steps you can take now that can reduce those odds.

Estrogen and Breast Cancer

Even if there is no history of breast cancer anywhere in your family, you could still be at risk.  Did you know that only 20%-30% of the people who get breast cancer each year have any family history of the disease?  Every year  150,000 women  in the United States are diagnosed with breast cancer.  That means around 110,000 of them  had no history to serve as a warning that they were a likely breast cancer victim.

Now research has discovered a strong connection between breast cancer and estrogen.   Based on this knowledge,  the 2/16 estrogen metabolism test should be considered a vital step in preventing breast cancer.

For more information about the research findings, see The Link Between Estrogen Dominance and Breast Cancer.

How the 2/16 Estrogen Metabolism Test Predicts Breast Cancer

Estrogen, like other hormones, needs to be expelled from the body after it has done its assigned task.  The liver is the main organ that breaks the hormone down into bits called metabolites.  These metabolites are excreted from the body through bile and urine.

Estrogen is broken down into two main metabolites called 2-hydroxyestrone and 16-hydroxyestrone.  Like the two forms of cholesterol, one is considered ‘good’ and one is considered ‘bad’.  In this case, the 2-hydroxyestrone is the good guy, or anti-carcinogenic.  The metabolite 16-hydroxyestrone is pro-carcinogenic, or, in other words, is the one believed to stimulate cells to reproduce, including cancerous cells in the breast.

When a person’s urine is analyzed in the 2/16 estrogen metabolism test, laboratory technicians evaluate the balance of the two types of estrogen metabolites and figure the ratio.  A ratio of 2.0 or higher seems to indicate a lower risk of getting breast cancer.  A lower ratio indicates your chances for developing the disease is higher.

Must You See a Physician to Do a 2/16 Estrogen Metabolism Ratio Test?

Although you do collect an early morning urine sample at home, at this time you do need a prescription from a physician to have the test conducted.  When you visit your doctor, tell him that you want a 2/16 estrogen metabolism ratio test.  In fact, insist upon it.  The more you know about your own body, the better equipped you are to take care of it.

The 2/16 estrogen metabolism test is not meant to replace the mammogram, but is meant to work in conjunction with it and to give people an earlier warning if they are at a high risk of developing breast cancer.

The best part is that when you have that knowledge, you can take steps to lower your your bad estrogen, thereby decreasing your chances of developing the condition.  Oftentimes, forewarned is forearmed, as the old saying goes.  Insist that your doctor order a 2/16 estrogen metabolism ratio test as soon as possible and find out if you have a high risk of developing breast cancer and what you can do to help prevent this from occurring.

Related posts:

1. The Link Between Estrogen Dominance and Breast Cancer
2. Why You Need to Test for Ovulation (Even if you don’t want to get pregnant)
3. DIM: Control Estrogen with Cruciferous Veggies in a Pill

Why the Saliva Test Instead of a Blood Test?

For many years, a blood test was the only tool commonly used to evaluate hormone levels, but now many doctors think the saliva test is  more accurate .

The saliva hormone test is not only less invasive and less expensive than a blood test, it measures the levels of  biologically active hormones in your system.  Hormones in your body are in two forms – ‘bound’ and ‘free’. The bound hormones, which make up 95-99% of your hormones, are already being used for specific purposes; they are ‘bound’ to carrier proteins and already on a targeted mission.  Free hormones, or biologically available hormones, are hormones that do not yet have an assignment and are free to do other work in your  body.

Blood tests measure the total amount of hormones in your system.  What you need to know, however, is the amount of the  free hormones you have.  That is what is deduced through saliva testing.

How Do You Take a Saliva Test for Estrogen Dominance?

One of the simplest parts of taking a saliva test for estrogen dominance is that you can do it in the comfort of your own home.  You can order test kits yourself, no prescription is necessary,  or many doctors provide them if  they feel hormone testing is needed.

Many tests will examine five different hormones in women, including estradiol (the primary form of estrogen), progesterone, testosterone, cortisol and DHEA.  Some kits will test for only estradiol and progesterone.

Hormone saliva tests are available for men as well, who can also suffer from estrogen dominance.  The hormones tested in men are testosterone,  androstenedione, estradiol, progesterone and DHEA.

There are several sites available where you can buy the test kits online and then return the collected saliva to that lab for analysis.

• ZRT Lab
• hormoneprofile.com
• ladytobaby.com
• testsymptomsathome.com

Prices vary depending on how many hormones you wish to test, but basic kits start at around $65 to test two hormones and range up to about $200 for a more comprehensive test covering five hormones.

Menstruating women, non-menstruating women and men are directed to take the test in different manners.  If you are still having your period you need to do the test on the 19th-21st day of your cycle, counting from the first day of your period, when progesterone levels are highest.  Women who are postmenopausal or have had a hysterectomy or men can take the test any day of the month.

The test itself is simple.  You just swab your mouth or spit into a collection vial, whichever your test kit provides.  Some tests may involve taking multiple samples at various times of the day but saliva is very stable and can be safely stored for up to a week before reaching the laboratory for analysis.  When the lab is finished with the test, they will send the results to you or your doctor.

The saliva test for estrogen dominance  is one of the simplest ways possible to tell you if a hormonal imbalance could be the cause of your symptoms.  Once you have that answer, you’ll be in a better position to take steps to correct the situation.

Related posts:

1. Why Transdermal Hormone Creams Work the Best