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Bioavailable Hormone Testing

Meaning

A specialized diagnostic procedure that measures the concentration of hormones in the circulation that are unbound to carrier proteins, such as Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG) or Albumin, and are thus physiologically active. Only the bioavailable fraction can readily diffuse into target tissues and bind to cellular receptors to exert a biological effect. Accurate assessment of this free hormone level provides a more clinically relevant picture of hormonal status than total hormone measurements alone. This testing is crucial for precise dosing in hormone optimization protocols.