Hormonal Bioavailability Mapping is a sophisticated diagnostic process that assesses not just the total circulating concentration of a hormone, but specifically quantifies the fraction that is unbound and thus capable of interacting with target cell receptors. This measurement moves beyond standard serum panels to reflect the true physiological activity potential of hormones like testosterone or thyroid hormone. Accurate mapping is essential for tailoring replacement therapies to achieve true therapeutic effect rather than just normalizing total levels. We focus on the active, unbound fraction for clinical relevance.
Origin
The concept stems from pharmaceutical sciences and endocrinology, where the difference between total and free hormone levels has long been recognized as clinically significant. Mapping implies a detailed, multi-point assessment, often incorporating binding protein analysis, to create a comprehensive picture of dynamic hormone access. This technique refines the assessment of endocrine status.
Mechanism
The process involves measuring the concentration of the target hormone along with its specific binding proteins, such as SHBG or Corticosteroid-Binding Globulin (CBG), and often utilizing equilibrium dialysis or validated formulas. The calculation then determines the free or unbound fraction, which is the biologically relevant pool interacting with intracellular and membrane receptors. This mapping effectively reveals the extent of hormonal signaling capacity at any given time point.
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