Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)
Here’s what it reflects — and what to do about it.
Longetic pulls together every lab and record you’ve had, follows how Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) changes over time, and explains what’s shifting — so you walk into your next appointment prepared, with reminders for retests along the way.
What is Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)?
A protein made mostly by the liver that binds sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen and controls how much of them is active.
SHBG attaches to sex hormones in your bloodstream, and hormones bound to it are not free to act on your tissues, so SHBG helps set how much testosterone and estrogen is available. It is often measured alongside total testosterone to estimate how much is actually active. Lower SHBG can be associated with an underactive thyroid, insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes, obesity, or PCOS; higher SHBG can be associated with liver disease, an overactive thyroid, or estrogen-containing medicines. SHBG also tends to drift down with age, and results are read together with other hormone tests.
What to know about Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)
Understanding Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) means knowing what it reflects, what tends to move it, and the signs that suggest it’s worth a closer look — so you can bring the right questions to your next appointment.
This glossary entry is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Read our Medical Disclaimer.
References
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