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16-Alpha-Hydroxyestrone

Meaning

16-Alpha-Hydroxyestrone is a significant, potent metabolite of the primary estrogen estrone, playing a crucial role in the body’s overall estrogenic load. This compound is part of the hydroxylation pathway of estrogen metabolism, representing one of the major forms into which the body processes its circulating estrogens. Clinically, the relative balance of this metabolite to other, less-estrogenic forms is often measured as a biomarker for assessing an individual’s hormonal milieu. Elevated levels of this specific metabolite are associated with a more proliferative and potentially unfavorable estrogenic environment. Understanding this balance is key to optimizing hormonal health and managing risk in hormone-sensitive tissues.