Skip to main content

Androgen Bioavailability Metrics

Meaning

Androgen Bioavailability Metrics are the specific biochemical measurements used in clinical endocrinology to quantify the fraction of androgens, primarily testosterone, that is physiologically active and available to bind to target tissue receptors. The most relevant metrics include Free Testosterone, which is unbound to carrier proteins, and Bioavailable Testosterone, which comprises both free testosterone and the fraction loosely bound to albumin. Accurate assessment provides a superior clinical picture compared to Total Testosterone alone, especially when Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG) levels are abnormal. This measurement is crucial for correlating laboratory results with clinical symptoms of deficiency or excess.