SHBG Sex Hormone Binding Globulin
A liver protein that grips sex hormones and holds them out of use.
What it measures
A liver-made protein that binds sex hormones and holds them out of use.
Decides how much of your testosterone is actually free to work, and it falls when insulin resistance rises.
Why it matters for how long you stay well
It falls as insulin resistance rises, so a low level is often a metabolic message rather than a hormone one, and reading it beside fasting insulin usually explains more than either number alone.
How it shows up in daily life
You will not feel it, but it decides how much of your testosterone is actually free to work.
High and low readings
When it reads high
Less free hormone available despite a normal total.
When it reads low
Often travels with insulin resistance and a fatty liver.
What moves it
Daily life
- weight around your middle
- insulin resistance, which lowers it
- thyroid activity
- alcohol
- liver health
Medicines known to shift it
- oral contraceptives (raise it)
- thyroid hormone replacement (raises it)
- steroids (lower it)
Listed so a result can be read in context. It is not advice to start, stop or change any medicine; that decision belongs with your physician.
Common questions
What does Sex Hormone Binding Globulin measure?
A liver-made protein that binds sex hormones and holds them out of use. Decides how much of your testosterone is actually free to work, and it falls when insulin resistance rises.
What does a high SHBG result usually mean?
Less free hormone available despite a normal total.
What does a low SHBG result usually mean?
Often travels with insulin resistance and a fatty liver.
What is the usual reference range for SHBG?
A broad adult reference band is 18–54 nmol/L. Labs differ, so read your result against the band printed on your own report.
Educational only, not a diagnosis. A single number means little without your history and the rest of your panel, so discuss your own results with your physician.
Typical adult reference band
- Adults
- 18–54 nmol/L
Labs differ. The band printed on your own report is the one that applies to your result.
Reported in nmol/L
Ageing relevance
3/5
A moderate ageing association; used in clinical longevity panels.
Worth knowing
It falls as insulin resistance rises, which is why it doubles as a metabolic signal.
Have a report with this marker on it? Read it in context.
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