Description
A FAI (Free Androgen Index) test evaluates the ratio of total testosterone to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in the blood. It helps estimate the amount of free, or unbound, testosterone which is biologically active and available for the body to use.
This test is often used to assess hormonal balance, particularly in diagnosing conditions related to abnormal testosterone levels.
Free testosterone is a specific form of the hormone testosterone that is not bound to proteins in the bloodstream.
In adult men, it plays vital roles in several physiological processes, such as maintaining muscle strength, bone density, and influencing levels of aggression and fertility, including healthy sperm production.
Sex hormone binding globulin – or SHBG for short, is a protein that binds to three sex hormones found in both men and women: testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and estradiol.
SHBG helps by regulating the amount of these hormones that are free in the blood stream and active throughout the body. It is produced in the liver and can be measured through a simple blood test.
Abnormal levels of SHBG can be an indicator of health problems such as polycystic ovary syndrome, hyperthyroidism, and diabetes. Additionally, SHBG levels can be used to inform decisions about hormone therapy, such as the selection of an appropriate dose of testosterone replacement therapy or the use of estrogen-containing medications. It can also be used to diagnose hormone deficiencies or imbalances, particularly those related to sex hormones.
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