Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) is a protein that is mostly synthesized in the liver and in the circulation it binds sex steroids, especially testosterone. The physiologic action of SHBG is to transport sex steroids in the blood to their receptors. It acts as a regulator maintaining a balance between estrogen and testosterone in aging men and women. It also protects the sex hormones from degrading too quickly and clearing the body to fast. So a delicate balance of SHBG in your blood is so important and yet Doctors rarely test for it.
In men who have higher levels of sex hormone binding globulin will usually have lower levels of free or active testosterone. It is only the free or unbound fraction of testosterone that is physiologically active. Increases in SHBG often occur as a result of increases in serum estrogen. Estrogen values are often increased in men who are obese with a large waist circumference. Men who have higher SHBG values can have symptoms of osteoporosis, osteopenia, muscle weakness, poor memory, depression, low sex drive, poor erections and poor genital sensation.
Men with low levels of testosterone and low levels of SHBG have a higher incidence of Metabolic Syndrome (obesity, insulin resistance, lipid issues and chronic high blood pressure). So when SHBG is too low it is a good marker for cardiovascular disease in men and women.
If you would like to find out if SHBG imbalance could have had some negative effects on your health please call one of the Program Advisors at Beyond-Biology to set up your blood testing today! 1-888-908-0804