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Hormone Clearance

Meaning

Hormone clearance is the physiological process that describes the rate at which a hormone is permanently removed from the circulating plasma volume. This parameter is a key concept in endocrinology and pharmacology, directly determining a hormone’s half-life and the necessary frequency and dosage of hormone replacement therapy. An impaired clearance rate, often due to liver or kidney dysfunction, can lead to an accumulation of hormones, potentially causing supraphysiological concentrations and associated adverse effects. Maintaining a steady-state concentration requires balancing the rate of secretion or administration with the rate of clearance.