Labs · Estradiol reference
Estradiol levels chart: by age, cycle phase, menopause status, and HRT dose.
Estradiol levels swing dramatically across the menstrual cycle, drop in menopause, and rise back with HRT. Here is a clinician's reference chart — with the ranges we actually use to interpret results.
Estradiol level chart — normal ranges
All values in pg/mL. Multiply by 3.67 to convert to pmol/L.
| Life stage / cycle phase | Typical estradiol range |
|---|---|
| Prepubertal | < 20 pg/mL |
| Early follicular (day 1–7) | 30–100 pg/mL |
| Late follicular (day 8–13) | 60–200 pg/mL |
| Mid-cycle peak (ovulation) | 130–370 pg/mL |
| Luteal (day 15–28) | 70–250 pg/mL |
| Perimenopause | 15–350 pg/mL (highly variable) |
| Postmenopause (untreated) | < 30 pg/mL (often 5–20) |
| Transdermal HRT 0.025 mg/day patch | ~20–35 pg/mL |
| Transdermal HRT 0.05 mg/day patch | ~40–65 pg/mL |
| Transdermal HRT 0.075 mg/day patch | ~60–90 pg/mL |
| Transdermal HRT 0.1 mg/day patch | ~80–110 pg/mL |
| Oral estradiol 1 mg/day | ~30–60 pg/mL (highly variable) |
| Early pregnancy (1st trimester) | 200–4,000 pg/mL |
| 3rd trimester | up to 30,000+ pg/mL |
Ranges are typical clinical reference ranges and vary by laboratory. Consult your own lab's reference values.
What the chart actually tells you
- One estradiol level is a snapshot. Because levels swing dramatically across the cycle and dramatically in perimenopause, a single lab value can mislead. Symptoms are the primary guide.
- Postmenopausal untreated levels are low. Under 30 pg/mL is expected. If yours is higher and you're on HRT, the patch is working. If it is very low and you're on a patch with persistent symptoms, absorption may be an issue.
- On HRT, the target is symptom control, not a number. Most patients feel best in the 40–100 pg/mL range on transdermal estradiol; some do well below that, some need higher.
- Perimenopause is chaos, not a chart entry. Estradiol can be 300 pg/mL one week and 20 the next. FSH trends and cycle changes are usually more useful than a single estradiol.
When Kindr checks estradiol levels
- Baseline before starting HRT — not always required, but useful in surgical or premature menopause.
- Troubleshooting: persistent symptoms on an appropriate dose (checks absorption).
- Very high symptom burden despite escalating doses.
- Concern about supraphysiologic dosing on compounded preparations.
Most women on standard FDA-approved HRT do not need routine estradiol monitoring — symptom control is the guide.
Sources
- NAMS 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement
- Endocrine Society 2015 Clinical Practice Guideline
- Mayo Medical Laboratories, LabCorp, and Quest reference intervals
- FDA prescribing information for Climara, Vivelle-Dot, and generic estradiol transdermal patches
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal estradiol level chart by age?
Reproductive (follicular): 30–120 pg/mL. Reproductive (mid-cycle peak): 130–370 pg/mL. Reproductive (luteal): 70–250 pg/mL. Perimenopause: highly variable, often 15–350 pg/mL cycle-to-cycle. Postmenopause: typically <30 pg/mL. On transdermal HRT: usually 40–100 pg/mL, depending on dose.
What is a normal estradiol level in menopause?
Untreated postmenopausal estradiol is typically below 30 pg/mL — often 5–20 pg/mL. Women on transdermal HRT usually run 40–100 pg/mL depending on dose (0.05 mg/day patch → ~45–65 pg/mL average).
What estradiol level indicates perimenopause?
There is no single number. Perimenopause is a stage defined by cycle changes and symptoms, not by one lab value. Estradiol swings dramatically in perimenopause — the same woman can have levels of 30, 300, and 15 pg/mL over three consecutive cycles. FSH trends are usually more informative.
What is a good estradiol level on HRT?
The goal is symptom control at the lowest effective dose — not hitting a target number. Most Kindr patients on transdermal estradiol run 40–100 pg/mL when symptoms are well controlled. Levels above 200 pg/mL are usually higher than necessary.
How do you convert pg/mL to pmol/L?
Multiply pg/mL by 3.67 to get pmol/L. So 50 pg/mL = 183 pmol/L. Multiply pmol/L by 0.272 to get pg/mL.
Does estradiol level correlate with symptom relief?
Loosely. Some women have full symptom control at 30 pg/mL; others need 80+ pg/mL to feel well. Symptoms are the primary guide; levels are used to check that a patch is being absorbed and to troubleshoot when symptoms persist.
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Medically reviewed by Kindr Health Clinical Team · Last reviewed 2026-06-19. Compounded medications are prepared by FDA-registered 503A pharmacies and are not FDA-approved drug products.