General Protein Binding Question / Hormones

Ok basic question. This pretty much can relate to testosterone / SHBG or Thyroid / TBG or Cortisol / Transcortin (CBG-Cortisol Binding Globulin)

Now when a hormone is 'free' what can it do? I always hear of weight lifters boasting about free testosterone... Wouldnt you want it bound? so that it can attach to receptor sites throughout the body? Or does some testosterone have an affinity for receptors when its protein bound / free?

A good general answer to this question would be useful in understanding a concept I am trying to grasp.

I am learning that most hormone signaling in the body is done via receptor site activity and I dont understand how free hormones get bound...

I could also have this completely ass-backwards... When the hormones are secreted from their respective glands are they already protein bound? (e.g. testosterone/SHBG) Do they have to be stripped of the protein to be useful to the body or ANY receptor sites? (Their is different hormones receptor sites for an individual hormone right? like androgens may have more than on type of receptor site in the male body)

I was reading when people use androgel amongst many other problems the hormone is available for use INSTANTLY which is bad becuase the body doesnt get to make a choice on whether or not to strip it of its protein and make it useful...

Blah! help?


Thanks!