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Chronobiology of Hormone Assays

Meaning

Chronobiology of Hormone Assays refers to the critical consideration of biological timing, specifically the body’s intrinsic circadian and ultradian rhythms, when collecting and interpreting endocrine laboratory data. It acknowledges that hormone concentrations are not static but fluctuate predictably over a 24-hour cycle, a week, or a month. Clinical accuracy in diagnostics requires precise sampling times to capture peak, trough, or average hormone levels that are biologically meaningful. Ignoring this temporal variability can lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate therapeutic intervention.