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Target Tissue Utilization

Meaning

Target Tissue Utilization refers to the efficiency and efficacy with which a specific hormone or signaling molecule is received, processed, and utilized by its designated end-organ cells to elicit a biological response. This utilization is determined not just by the circulating hormone concentration but critically by the density, affinity, and post-receptor signaling integrity of the tissue’s receptors. Optimal utilization ensures that hormonal signals translate into robust functional outcomes, such as protein synthesis in muscle or metabolic regulation in the liver. Clinically, poor utilization often explains symptoms of hormone deficiency despite normal or high circulating hormone levels.