Illustration of different hormone testing methods, including blood, urine, and plasma samples, with a woman inspecting them with curiosity.

Decoding Your Hormones: What Blood, Urine, and Plasma Reveal About Your Health

Nico Varela in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research unlocks the secrets of estrogen levels, offering insights into women's health and beyond."

In the ever-evolving landscape of health and wellness, understanding our bodies at a deeper level is paramount. Hormones, the silent conductors of our biological symphony, play a crucial role in our overall well-being. But how can we truly understand what's happening inside? A recent study has illuminated the way, offering a comprehensive comparison of how we measure estrogen levels through blood, urine, and plasma tests.

This research is particularly relevant for women, who often experience hormonal fluctuations throughout their lives. However, the implications extend far beyond, providing valuable insights for anyone interested in their health. The study's findings could revolutionize how we monitor hormonal health, offering new avenues for proactive care and personalized treatment.

This article is your guide to deciphering the complexities of hormone testing. We'll explore the key findings of the study, explain what the different tests measure, and discuss what these insights mean for your health. Get ready to empower yourself with knowledge and take control of your well-being.

Unveiling the Hormonal Landscape: A Comparison of Blood, Urine, and Plasma Tests

Illustration of different hormone testing methods, including blood, urine, and plasma samples, with a woman inspecting them with curiosity.

The study, published in Cancer Causes & Control, set out to compare the accuracy of different methods for measuring estrogen levels. Researchers analyzed samples of blood (serum, EDTA plasma, and heparin plasma) and urine from healthy volunteers. The goal was to determine how well these different tests correlated with each other and what they could reveal about an individual's hormonal health.

The results were fascinating. The study found that blood tests (serum, EDTA plasma, and heparin plasma) yielded remarkably similar results. However, the researchers discovered differences when comparing blood and urine tests. While the tests showed some correlation, there were also significant variations, particularly when assessing the full spectrum of estrogen metabolites.

Blood Tests (Serum, EDTA Plasma, Heparin Plasma): Showed strong agreement, indicating reliable measurements.
Urine Tests: While providing useful information, they showed variations compared to blood tests, especially when analyzing the complete range of estrogen metabolites.
Key Takeaway: The choice of test (blood vs. urine) may influence the accuracy of specific insights, highlighting the importance of understanding each test's strengths and limitations.

The study also delved into how these tests performed across different groups, including men, premenopausal women, and postmenopausal women. By analyzing the data across these demographics, the researchers gained deeper insights into how hormonal profiles vary and what these variations might signify in terms of overall health and risk factors.

Empowering Your Health Journey: The Future of Hormone Testing

The study's findings underscore the importance of understanding the nuances of hormone testing. By shedding light on the strengths and limitations of each method, this research empowers individuals to have more informed conversations with their healthcare providers. As the field of hormone research continues to evolve, we can anticipate even more precise and personalized approaches to monitoring and managing our hormonal health, leading to a healthier and more vibrant future.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/s10552-018-1105-1, Alternate LINK

Title: Comparability Of Serum, Plasma, And Urinary Estrogen And Estrogen Metabolite Measurements By Sex And Menopausal Status

Subject: Cancer Research

Journal: Cancer Causes & Control

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Sally B. Coburn, Frank Z. Stanczyk, Roni T. Falk, Katherine A. Mcglynn, Louise A. Brinton, Joshua Sampson, Gary Bradwin, Xia Xu, Britton Trabert

Published: 2018-12-01

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly does the recent study on estrogen levels reveal about the different types of hormone tests?

The study compared blood (serum, EDTA plasma, and heparin plasma) and urine tests to measure estrogen levels. It found that blood tests (serum, EDTA plasma, and heparin plasma) showed strong agreement with each other. However, urine tests, while useful, showed variations compared to blood tests, especially when analyzing the complete range of estrogen metabolites. This indicates that the choice of test can influence the accuracy of specific insights into hormonal health.

Why is understanding the different methods of measuring estrogen important for women's health?

Understanding the nuances of hormone testing, specifically blood (serum, EDTA plasma, and heparin plasma) and urine tests, is crucial for women because they experience hormonal fluctuations throughout their lives. Knowing the strengths and limitations of each test empowers women to have more informed conversations with their healthcare providers. This knowledge can lead to more precise monitoring and management of hormonal health, potentially improving overall well-being and allowing for more proactive health decisions.

How did the study analyze hormone tests across different groups, and what were the implications?

The study analyzed hormone tests, including blood (serum, EDTA plasma, and heparin plasma) and urine tests, across different demographics, specifically men, premenopausal women, and postmenopausal women. This analysis provided deeper insights into how hormonal profiles vary among these groups. The implications are that these variations can signify different health risks and overall health conditions. Understanding these differences can lead to more personalized and effective healthcare strategies for each group.

Beyond women's health, what are the broader implications of this research on estrogen level measurements?

While this research highlights relevance to women's health, the implications extend to anyone interested in their health. The research provides valuable insights into how to monitor hormonal health proactively. The comparative analysis of blood (serum, EDTA plasma, and heparin plasma) and urine tests can be applied to various health conditions beyond those specific to women, offering new avenues for personalized treatment and a more comprehensive understanding of individual hormonal profiles. Understanding how hormones fluctuate and how accurately we can measure them impacts how all individuals approach their overall well-being.

If blood tests (serum, EDTA plasma, and heparin plasma) are more consistent, why would urine tests ever be used to measure estrogen?

While blood tests (serum, EDTA plasma, and heparin plasma) showed strong agreement in the study, urine tests still provide useful information regarding estrogen levels. The key is that urine tests capture a broader range of estrogen metabolites, which can offer a different perspective on hormonal health. The choice between blood and urine tests depends on the specific insights a healthcare provider is seeking. Urine tests might be preferred when analyzing the complete spectrum of estrogen metabolites is crucial, despite the potential for variations compared to blood tests. The non-invasive nature of urine collection can also be a significant factor in certain situations.