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Catechol Estrogens

Meaning

Catechol estrogens are specific metabolites of the primary estrogens, estradiol and estrone, which are formed during the phase I detoxification process in the liver. These compounds possess a catechol structure, characterized by two hydroxyl groups on the A-ring of the steroid, making them chemically reactive. Clinically, the balance of these metabolites is significant because they represent divergent pathways in estrogen metabolism, impacting overall hormonal health and disease risk. They are critical intermediaries in the body’s estrogen processing cascade.