Clinical Applications of Estrogen Metabolism Genetic Testing: Improving Estrogen Health, Preventing Breast Cancer and Prescribing Estrogenic Medications with Precision

Estrogen metabolism is the ability to favorably excrete potentially toxic estrogens through urine and sweat. Impaired estrogen metabolism is associated with Endometriosis and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome as well as Breast and other cancers. For women with suboptimal function, excess estrogen exposures such as estrogen-based medications and environmental phytoestrogens may result in greater risk of sporadic breast cancer. Improving a woman’s ability to excrete estrogens along optimal pathways may lessen these risks.

The objective is to improve estrogen health through individualized nutritional supplementation.

Tests available in commercial labs examine modifiable genes with the goal of providing individualized nutritional interventions to improve estrogen health. Genes frequently tested are: CYP1A1, CYP1B1, CYP3A4, GSTM1, & COMT. Each gene may have 2 mutations or a deletion.

Information about a patient’s genetic mutations provides a critical understanding of each woman’s lifelong disposition to excrete estrogens. This guidance allows physicians more precision in prescribing estrogen medications such as birth control pills, hormone replacement and fertility treatments. Test results also advise physicians which supplements may improve estrogen health and which patients require stricter oversight.

TOWARD PERSONALIZED TREATMENT PROTOCOLS

Personalized treatment requires:

1. Estrogen Metabolism Genetic Testing to provide data on lifelong capability to excrete estrogens

2. Physician Intake of Estrogen Metabolism related disease, Exogenous Estrogen Exposure and Extended Family History of Estrogen Metabolism related conditions

3. Nutritional Supplementation to Improve Estrogen Health

4. Metabolite Testing for Supplement Dosing Adjustment

Learning Objectives:

1. Overview of Estrogen Metabolism & Sporadic Breast Cancer Risk Factors

2. Discussion of how Estrogen Metabolism Genetic mutations or health can guide precision interventions and prescribing estrogenic medications

3. Review of case studies