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Sex Steroid Levels

Meaning

Sex steroid levels refer to the quantifiable circulating concentrations of the major hormones synthesized and secreted primarily by the gonads—the ovaries and testes—and secondarily by the adrenal glands. These critical lipid-soluble molecules include the estrogens (like estradiol), androgens (like testosterone), and progestogens (like progesterone). The precise measurement of these levels in blood, saliva, or urine is a fundamental diagnostic tool in clinical endocrinology. These concentrations are essential for assessing reproductive function, diagnosing hormonal disorders, and monitoring the efficacy and safety of hormone replacement therapy across the lifespan.