What is SHBG?
controls how much free sex hormone you have
SHBG binds testosterone and estrogen in the blood and controls how much hormone is biologically available.
SHBG is affected by thyroid function, insulin resistance, liver disease, and hormonal medications. The value is central to interpreting sex hormone tests.
Test facts
- Unit
- nmol/L
- Sample
- Serum
- Fasting
- No fasting needed
- Turnaround
- 2 days
What does low SHBG mean?
Low SHBG appears with insulin resistance, overweight, and PCOS.
What does high SHBG mean?
High SHBG appears with hyperthyroidism, liver disease, hormone therapy, and in older men.
Panels that measure SHBG
- Male Annual
- Testosterone Check
- Female Hormones
- Hormone+
- Perimenopause
- Athlete Performance
More markers in the same area
Launching in Stockholm in 2026.
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This is general information about the marker, not an assessment of your values and not medical advice. Last updated: May 2026.