Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)

Overview:

Sex hormone binding globulin is made by the liver and binds testosterone and estradiol, holding them in circulation where they cannot act on tissues. Only hormone that is unbound or loosely bound to albumin is available. This means a total testosterone can be misleading if SHBG is unusual: a normal total with high SHBG may leave little available hormone. SHBG rises with age, thyroid overactivity, liver disease and estrogen, and falls with obesity, insulin resistance, thyroid underactivity and androgen use. It is measured alongside total testosterone to calculate free and bioavailable levels.

Categories:

Hormone

Biomarkers:

1 biomarker