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Steroid Hormone Clearance

Meaning

Steroid hormone clearance is the essential physiological process by which the body removes active steroid hormones, such as cortisol, testosterone, and estrogen, from the systemic circulation, thereby terminating their biological signaling at the receptor level. This process is primarily carried out by the liver and, to a lesser extent, the kidneys, involving a sequence of enzymatic modifications, including reduction, hydroxylation, and conjugation. Efficient clearance is critical for maintaining the precise, pulsatile hormonal rhythm required for homeostasis and for preventing the accumulation of potent or potentially toxic metabolites. Clinical assessment of clearance rates provides crucial insight into hepatic function and overall hormonal metabolism.