< Back to previous page

Project

FREEDOM study: FREe vitamin D Measurements to improve Endocrine disorder Outcomes

Steroid hormones such as testosterone or vitamin D are vital for human physiology. In circulation, steroid hormones bind to albumin and specific binding proteins (BP) with only a small fraction circulating freely. The ‘free hormone hypothesis’ suggests that this free fraction best reflects the biological activity. Though experimental and clinical data support this, routinely available methods measure total steroid hormone levels. Relying on total hormone levels could lead to misrepresentation of the hormonal status, especially in conditions where BP production is altered (organ failure, obesity, pregnancy), impairing correct diagnosis and treatment. Direct free hormone measurements are only performed in specialized research labs and not available in clinical routine. Formulas to estimate free steroid hormone concentrations have been developed, but their applicability in many clinical conditions is questionable, so is the correctness of therapeutic actions based on these results. The main goal of the BEED-ED project is to improve clinical relevance and applicability of free steroid hormone measurements. We will reach this goal by (1) developing and validating accurate analytical methods for free steroid hormone measurements, (2) evaluate and if needed improve/develop (disease-specific) free hormone calculators, with a specific focus on conditions where the binding protein milieu (production, metabolism, binding affinity) is altered, such as in patients with chronic kidney disease, obesity or during pregnancy, and (3) define limitations and best clinical use of such calculators to develop an operational clinical sample workflow for direct measurements of free steroid hormone concentrations in selected samples. The results from BEED-ED will improve diagnostic accuracy of free steroid hormone measurements, will contribute to knowledge on the clinical relevance thereof and will have a positive impact on the availability of free steroid hormone assessments in routine clinical diagnostic settings. As such, our project will lead to better targeted care of endocrine diseases in both the general population as well as in specific patient groups.

Date:4 Oct 2021 →  Today
Keywords:Free steroid hormone measurement, Free steroid hormone calculators, endocrinology
Disciplines:Human health engineering, Endocrinology, Clinical chemistry
Project type:PhD project