Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG)
Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is a protein made by the liver. SHBG carries testosterone and estrogen in the blood and holds them idle until they are set free. A blood test measures it. Only the free share of a hormone can act on tissue. So two women with the same testosterone level can feel very different.
SHBG moves with metabolism. A low level runs with insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism, and it is common in PMOS / PCOS. A 1984 study found low SHBG in 31 women with severe premenstrual syndrome. Levels rose on progesterone1.
The number means little on its own. A 2024 case report from an RRM clinic found low androgens that the usual workup for repeated loss had skipped2.
Cited in this entry
- Dalton ME. The effect of progesterone administration on sex hormone binding globulin binding capacity in women with severe premenstrual syndrome. Journal of Steroid Biochemistry. 1984. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6538615/
- Boyle PC, Pandalache C, Turczynski C. Successful pregnancy using oral DHEA treatment for hypoandrogenemia in a 30-year-old female with 5 recurrent miscarriages, including fetal demise at 24 weeks: a case report. Frontiers in Medicine. 2024. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38426161/
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult an RRM clinician or healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation.
