What is the reference range for 4-Hydroxyestrone?

The standard reference range for 4-Hydroxyestrone is Premenopausal 1–5 ng/mg Cr; postmenopausal 0.5–3 ng/mg Cr. Method- and laboratory-specific.. Reference ranges vary by laboratory and assay platform — interpret in context of the issuing laboratory's stated range.

Biomarker Reference · 4-OHE1

What does the 4-Hydroxyestrone test measure?

Q: Which tests measure 4-Hydroxyestrone?

4-Hydroxyestrone is measured in 4 tests on BiomarkersLabs.com, including Blood Spot Thyroids + Dried Urine GCMS Estrogen Hormone Metabolites and LCMS Diurnal Hormones I, Dried Urine GCMS Estrogen Hormone Metabolites and LCMS Diurnal Hormones I, Essential Estrogens™ - 24 hr.

4-Hydroxyestrone (4-OHE1) is a clinical biomarker used in female-hormones assessment. 4-Hydroxyestrone is a minor catechol oestrogen metabolite formed by CYP1B1-mediated hydroxylation. It is measured in 4 laboratory tests on BiomarkersLabs.com.

Reference Range: Premenopausal 1–5 ng/mg Cr; postmenopausal 0.5–3 ng/mg Cr. Method- and laboratory-specific.
Units: pg/mg creatinine, ng/mg creatinine, ng/24hr, µg/24hr
Measured In: 4 tests
Category: Female Hormones

Functional medicine optimalFunctional practitioners aim to keep 4-OHE1 as low as possible, ideally below 1 ng/24hr, though the clinical utility of this target is not established by randomised trials.

What is 4-Hydroxyestrone?

4-Hydroxyestrone is a minor catechol oestrogen metabolite formed by CYP1B1-mediated hydroxylation. It undergoes redox cycling to quinones that can form depurinating DNA adducts, initiating mutations. Because of this genotoxic potential, 4-OHE1 is considered the 'highest-risk' oestrogen metabolite, though it normally represents a small fraction of total metabolism.

Why is 4-Hydroxyestrone measured?

Elevated 4-hydroxyestrone has been associated with increased breast cancer risk in mechanistic and some case-control studies. CYP1B1 polymorphisms, environmental exposures, and impaired conjugation may raise 4-OHE1 levels. Practitioners use this marker to identify patients who may benefit from increased antioxidant support, cruciferous vegetable intake, and optimisation of methylation and conjugation pathways.

Reference ranges

Standard reference: Premenopausal 1–5 ng/mg Cr; postmenopausal 0.5–3 ng/mg Cr. Method- and laboratory-specific.
Functional medicine optimal: Functional practitioners aim to keep 4-OHE1 as low as possible, ideally below 1 ng/24hr, though the clinical utility of this target is not established by randomised trials.
Units: pg/mg creatinine, ng/mg creatinine, ng/24hr, µg/24hr

Reference ranges vary by laboratory and assay platform. Interpret in context of the issuing laboratory's stated range.

Tests that measure 4-Hydroxyestrone

4 tests on BiomarkersLabs.com include this biomarker.

BML-THY-031Comprehensive

Blood Spot Thyroids + Dried Urine GCMS Estrogen Hormone Metabolites and LCMS Diurnal Hormones I

4-Hydroxyestrone reference range in this test: Dried urine: proprietary method-specific intervals; no consensus clinical reference.

BML-HRF-023Comprehensive

Dried Urine GCMS Estrogen Hormone Metabolites and LCMS Diurnal Hormones I

4-Hydroxyestrone reference range in this test: Typically <1 ng/mg creatinine.

BML-HRF-025Comprehensive

Essential Estrogens™ - 24 hr

4-Hydroxyestrone reference range in this test: Premenopausal <2 ng/24hr; postmenopausal <1 ng/24hr; method- and laboratory-specific.

BML-HRF-026Comprehensive

Essential Estrogens™ - FMV

4-Hydroxyestrone reference range in this test: Premenopausal 1–5 ng/mg Cr; postmenopausal 0.5–3 ng/mg Cr. Method- and laboratory-specific.

Related clinical conditions

Related Biomarkers

Frequently measured alongside

EstroneE15 tests EstradiolE25 tests EstriolE35 tests 2-Hydroxyestrone2-OHE14 tests 16α-Hydroxyestrone16α-OHE13 tests 2-Methoxyestrone2-MeOE14 tests 4-Methoxyestrone4-MeOE13 tests 2-Hydroxyestradiol2-OHE22 tests

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