A composite quantitative measure derived from various biomarkers, such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and specific cytokine panels, that reflects the overall level of chronic, low-grade inflammatory burden present throughout the body. Elevated indices are strongly correlated with impaired endocrine function, including insulin resistance and suppressed gonadal axis activity. This index serves as a critical barometer of underlying physiological stress.
Origin
The concept arises from immunology and clinical pathology, quantifying the body’s immune response activity beyond acute infection. The index aggregates multiple data points to represent a unified measure of systemic perturbation.
Mechanism
Inflammatory cytokines released during chronic stress directly interfere with normal endocrine signaling by inducing cellular stress responses. For instance, elevated IL-6 can impair hepatic synthesis of Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG), thereby altering free hormone availability. Managing this index requires addressing the root causes of chronic immune activation to restore endocrine fidelity.
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