SHBG on your report
SHBG is usually ordered with total testosterone so your doctor can estimate how much testosterone is free. It can't diagnose PCOS on its own.
Labs print their own reference range, so compare your number with the one on your report.
SHBG: a protein made mostly by your liver.
What SHBG tells your doctor
Only the free, unattached part of a hormone can act on your tissues.
So when SHBG is low, more testosterone is free to cause acne, extra hair and irregular periods, even if your total testosterone looks normal.
Low SHBG is linked with:
- PCOS
- insulin resistance
- type 2 diabetes
- excess weight
- an underactive thyroid
A high SHBG can be seen with liver disease, an overactive thyroid or oestrogen-containing pills.
What moves your SHBG
Because low SHBG often goes along with insulin resistance and extra weight, the same steps tend to help:
- meals with dal, sabzi and protein
- modest portions of rice and roti
- fewer sweets and sugary drinks
- regular walking and strength work
- good sleep
Gradual weight loss, if you're carrying extra weight around the middle, is worth working towards. If you have a thyroid or liver problem, getting that treated with your doctor matters too.
The first call is free
Tell Puja what's going on and she will tell you honestly whether she can help.
Checked against: MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine): SHBG Blood Test. General information, not medical advice.
Related words
TestosteronePCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)Insulin resistanceHypothyroidismFatty liver (NAFLD)DHEA-S
Foods to read about
Where it comes up
Sample diet charts
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