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Hormone Secretion Profiles

Meaning

Hormone Secretion Profiles are the characteristic patterns, rhythms, and concentrations of hormones released by endocrine glands over a defined period, typically 24 hours. These profiles are highly dynamic, exhibiting ultradian (less than 24 hours, e.g., pulsatile), circadian (approximately 24 hours), and infradian (longer than 24 hours, e.g., monthly) periodicities. Clinically, analyzing these profiles, rather than a single static measurement, is essential for accurately diagnosing subtle hormonal imbalances and understanding the body’s functional endocrine status. Examples include the diurnal rhythm of cortisol and the nocturnal peak of growth hormone.