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Re: free testosterone vs. testosterone........
From: anonymous@obgyn.net
Fri, 30 Jul 1999 14:56:26 -0500 (CDT)
Thank You VERY MUCH for your reply!!!! I get it now......
Cheryl :o)
******************************************************
At Fri, 30 Jul 1999, anonymous@obgyn.net wrote:
>
>At Thu, 29 Jul 1999, CMR wrote:
>>
>>Could someone please explain the difference between these hormonal blood
>>tests for me. What is the difference between a testerone test and a
>>free testosterone test? Thanks!
>> Cheryl :o)
>
>Testosterone, as well as most other hormones, do not circulate in the
>blood stream by itself to any large degree. Most of it is bound to a
>large protein called Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG), and is
>inactive as long as it remains attached. Only a tiny, tiny percentage
>is not so attached, the so-called free testosterone, which is the only
>testosterone that is actually doing its hormonal thing. Total
>testosterone is the sum of the free testosterone, and the bound
>testosterone. There are clinical conditions that effect both of these
>portions, and the tests help to differentiate between them.
>
>--
>William D. McIntosh, MD
>
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