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Sex Hormone Binding Globulin Testing
- Pinpoint the cause of hormonal imbalances
- Reveal factors affecting your energy levels
- Clarify reasons behind unexpected weight changes
- No need to visit a doctor
- Results by email & SMS
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- Pinpoint the cause of hormonal imbalances
- Reveal factors affecting your energy levels
- Clarify reasons behind unexpected weight changes
- Pinpoint the cause of hormonal imbalances
- Reveal factors affecting your energy levels
- Clarify reasons behind unexpected weight changes
What is a Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) Test?
A Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) test is used to measure the amount of androgen, a male hormone, in a patient’s blood. For male patients, the SHBG test is commonly used to assess testosterone deficiency, which may be the cause of infertility, lowered sex drive, and erectile dysfunction. For female patients, the SHBG test is utilized to examine the cause of excessive testosterone production, which may be contributing to the disruption or absence of menstruation, infertility, acne, or abnormal bodily or facial hair growth. The SHBG test is usually utilized after other hormone tests have already been given to a patient and the results have come back abnormal or inconclusive.
Who May Need a Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) Test?
An SHBG test is not performed frequently or routinely, as many tests are able to provide enough information on a patient’s hormone levels, particularly through testosterone testing, to determine the cause of a patient’s health issues. However, patients who have noted symptoms of hirsuitism (excessive bodily and facial hair growth) in women, or decreased sex drives in and/or erectile dysfunction in men, may order the test when other tests fail to be consistent with these and other recognizable signs and symptoms related to abnormal androgen levels.
What Should I Expect from My Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) Test?
A SHBG test begins with drawing a blood sample from a patient in order for it to be examined by a medical laboratory. Laboratory results which show an increased level of the hormone may indicate less free testosterone being available to a patient’s tissues, while if the concentration is decreased, there may be more total testosterone available which is not bound to SHBG. While there is a normal reference range common to SHBG tests among laboratories, some labs and physicians may have different ranges for you specifically. Speak with your doctor regarding your results to get more information on how they concern you and your health.
FAQ
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What is a blood sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) test?
Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) is a protein that is produced in the liver and binds to testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and estradiol. A blood SHBG test is used to measure this protein level in your blood, but it is most often used to study your testosterone. SHBG is responsible for carrying sex hormones through the blood and into tissue cells and controls the amount of testosterone that can be used.
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What does SHBG test for?
This test may help determine the cause of certain health problems, such as:
- Infertility
- Erectile dysfunction in men
- Female hirsutism
- Hypogonadism
- Androgen deficiency
- Other hormone related conditions
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What does a high SHBG result mean?
When SHBG levels are too high, it can indicate that the protein is attaching itself to a large amount of testosterone, making it less available. This results in your tissues not receiving enough testosterone, which a serious problem in men, since testosterone plays a greater role in male health.
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What does a low SHBG result mean?
If your SHBG levels are too low, it means that the protein isn't attaching itself enough to testosterone, causing it to be more available in your system. Too much unattached testosterone can lead to excess use in your body's tissues and cause adverse health effects. This is a serious issue for women, since their testosterone levels shouldn't be elevated normally.
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Do I need to visit a doctor?
Nope. You don't need a doctor's visit to get a test with us.
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How do I get my results?
You'll get your results via email as soon as they are available. We will notify you via SMS as well. You can also see them at any time in the future right in your dashboard where you can easily share them with your professional and compare them side by side with future tests.
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Does my lab prescription expire?
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