Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) Test Overview

The sex hormone binding globulin also known as the SHBG test, is used by doctors to monitor sex binding hormone globulin levels in your body. The purpose of SHBG is to bind to sex hormones in your body and it also controls the level of sex hormones that are currently present in your body that’s unusable by tissues. This test is inherently linked to the level of testosterone in your body. Even though testosterone is the male sex hormone, the sex hormone binding globulin test is prescribed to women as well.

Why Is A Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) Test Prescribed?

An SHBG test is prescribed by doctors to check for excess or deficient testosterone levels in a patient’s body. As testosterone plays an important role in both men and women, its imbalance can cause health problems and can be caused by underlying medical conditions. A sex hormone binding globulin test is often prescribed alongside a total testosterone level test. This is because an SHBG test can show the level of testosterone that’s usable for your tissues. Here are some symptoms that can warrant doctors to prescribe a sex hormone binding globulin test.

Low sex drive in males
Erectile dysfunction in males
Fertility problems in both women and men
Excess weight gain in women
Excess hair growth in women
Irregular periods or skipping periods in women
Changes in voice in women

Components of a Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) Test

The results of a sex hormone binding globulin test are expressed in terms of the sex binding hormone globulin levels in the body. The results are often expressed in reference to the total testosterone hormone level in the body. A high SHBG level could indicate a higher risk of medical conditions like hyperthyroidism and liver disease. A low SHBG level could indicate a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, hypothyroidism, PCOS, and Cushing’s syndrome.

Procedure and Prerequisites

A sex hormone binding globulin test is performed by doctors as a regular blood test. The procedure involves drawing a blood sample from the patient’s forearm, and sending the sample for testing. There are no prerequisites patients need to follow before undergoing the SHBG test.

SHBG, SEX HORMONE BINDING GLOBULIN in Bengaluru

SHBG, SEX HORMONE BINDING GLOBULIN in Bengaluru

S0022

Daily

No Special Preparation Required

Same Day

₹760

Parameters

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