What is the Origin of Tissue Sensitivity Mapping?

The term draws from endocrinology and molecular biology, where receptor function is mapped across different anatomical sites. "Tissue Sensitivity" refers to the magnitude of cellular response to a given hormone concentration, and "Mapping" denotes the systematic documentation of these responses across multiple sites. It reflects a shift toward tissue-specific endocrinology.

What is the Mechanism of Tissue Sensitivity Mapping?

The operational mechanism often involves measuring downstream cellular events in response to controlled hormonal challenge or analyzing receptor density and post-receptor signaling integrity at the cellular level. For example, assessing glucose uptake in muscle versus adipose tissue reveals differential insulin sensitivity, which is a key component of this map. This analysis elucidates why systemic hormone levels might appear normal while specific physiological outcomes remain suboptimal due to localized resistance or hypersensitivity.

Tissue Sensitivity Mapping

Meaning

A diagnostic methodology that assesses the responsiveness of various target tissues, such as muscle, fat, liver, or reproductive organs, to circulating hormones like insulin, estrogen, or androgens, independent of systemic hormone levels. This mapping identifies localized areas of resistance or hypersensitivity within the body’s endocrine landscape. Understanding this provides a finer resolution for therapeutic intervention than serum testing alone.