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2-OH Pathway

Meaning

The 2-OH Pathway, or 2-hydroxylation pathway, represents a primary metabolic route for the detoxification and elimination of estrogens, specifically estradiol and estrone, in the liver. This critical biochemical process generates 2-hydroxyestrone and 2-hydroxyestradiol, which are generally considered the most favorable and least proliferative estrogen metabolites. Clinical evaluation of this pathway provides essential insight into an individual’s capacity for safe estrogen clearance, a cornerstone of hormonal balance and long-term health. Understanding this metabolic phase is vital for assessing breast and reproductive tissue health risk profiles.