What is the Origin of Functional Hormone Assays?

The necessity for these assays arose from clinical observations showing poor correlation between total hormone levels and patient symptomatology, highlighting the role of binding globulins. This reflects a maturation in endocrinology towards functional relevance over mere quantity. It emphasizes biological action over static concentration.

What is the Mechanism of Functional Hormone Assays?

The mechanism relies on techniques like equilibrium dialysis or advanced immunoassays that separate the free hormone from its binding proteins, such as SHBG or CBG. Accurate assessment requires understanding the equilibrium dynamics between the bound and unbound states, as only the latter can diffuse across membranes to initiate cellular signaling. html

Functional Hormone Assays ∞ Area

Functional Hormone Assays

Meaning

Functional Hormone Assays are laboratory methodologies designed specifically to measure the fraction of a hormone that is unbound, or bioavailable, and therefore capable of interacting with target cell receptors. These assays provide a more accurate representation of the active endocrine signal compared to total hormone measurements. We prioritize assessing the accessible pool.