This laboratory technique quantifies the portion of a hormone or other compound circulating in the bloodstream that is unbound to carrier proteins, thus being physiologically active. The bioavailable fraction represents the hormone pool readily accessible to target tissues to elicit a biological response. Understanding this specific fraction is critical because total hormone levels can often be misleading if the binding protein concentrations are atypical. Clinicians utilize this analysis to determine the true functional hormonal status, which correlates more accurately with patient symptoms and treatment efficacy than total measurements alone.
Origin
The concept of bioavailability stems from pharmacology and endocrinology, emerging as early researchers recognized that administered substances or endogenous hormones must be unbound to exert their effects. The term ‘fraction’ simply denotes a component of the whole, while ‘analysis’ refers to the systematic study or examination of this component. The clinical utility of measuring the unbound portion gained prominence with the development of assays capable of accurately separating and quantifying these minute, yet potent, concentrations. This approach fundamentally shifted the clinical interpretation of hormonal blood work toward a functional perspective.
Mechanism
The analysis operates by separating the free and loosely bound hormone molecules from the tightly bound fraction, primarily utilizing techniques like equilibrium dialysis or ultrafiltration. In the serum, hormones like testosterone and estrogen bind to proteins such as Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) and albumin. Only the unbound and albumin-bound portions are typically considered bioavailable, as albumin binding is relatively weak and reversible. The subsequent quantification of this separated fraction provides a precise measure of the biologically potent hormone available to interact with cellular receptors and drive downstream physiological processes.
We use cookies to personalize content and marketing, and to analyze our traffic. This helps us maintain the quality of our free resources. manage your preferences below.
Detailed Cookie Preferences
This helps support our free resources through personalized marketing efforts and promotions.
Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website, improving user experience and website performance.
Personalization cookies enable us to customize the content and features of our site based on your interactions, offering a more tailored experience.