Sex Hormone Binding Globulin
Private SHBG blood test in London for £38, measuring one hormone-binding protein with results expected in around 1–2 business days.
Turnaround time
1-2 business days
Biomarkers count
1
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Overview of the Sex Hormone Binding Globulin
The Sex Hormone Binding Globulin blood test measures SHBG, a protein produced mainly by the liver that binds circulating sex hormones.
The test contains 1 biomarker: Sex Hormone Binding Globulin.
SHBG binds particularly strongly to Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone, while also binding Oestradiol.
Hormones bound tightly to SHBG are less readily available to enter tissues than the unbound or loosely protein-bound fractions.
For this reason, SHBG can substantially influence how a Total Testosterone result is interpreted.
Two people can have a similar Total Testosterone concentration but different SHBG levels, resulting in different estimates of the amount of Testosterone available to tissues.
SHBG is therefore frequently measured alongside Total Testosterone and Albumin when Free Testosterone is being calculated.
It is also used in calculation of the Free Androgen Index, which compares Total Testosterone with SHBG and is particularly useful in selected assessments of androgen excess, especially in women.
SHBG concentrations vary with age, sex, hormonal treatment, metabolic health, thyroid function and liver physiology.
Lower SHBG concentrations are often associated with obesity, insulin resistance, hypothyroidism and androgen excess.
Higher SHBG can occur with hyperthyroidism, Oestrogen exposure, pregnancy, selected liver conditions and some medicines.
An abnormal SHBG concentration does not itself diagnose a hormonal disorder.
Instead, its principal clinical value is helping to understand why the amount of biologically available sex hormone may differ from the Total Testosterone or Oestradiol concentration.
SHBG should therefore usually be interpreted alongside the relevant sex hormones rather than in isolation.
What Does the Sex Hormone Binding Globulin Test Check?
This test measures 1 biomarker.
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin
Measures SHBG, a liver-produced protein that binds Testosterone and Oestradiol and influences the proportion of sex hormone available to tissues.
Who May Benefit From the Sex Hormone Binding Globulin Test?
SHBG testing can be useful when Total Testosterone alone does not provide enough information about androgen availability.
Men with symptoms of low Testosterone despite an apparently normal Total Testosterone result - High SHBG can reduce the estimated free Testosterone fraction.
Men with an unexpectedly low Total Testosterone result - Low SHBG can contribute to a lower Total Testosterone while free hormone availability may be less affected.
Women undergoing assessment of androgen excess - SHBG can be interpreted with Testosterone and used in calculation of the Free Androgen Index.
Women with suspected polycystic ovary syndrome - SHBG is often reduced in PCOS and insulin resistance, although the result does not diagnose PCOS.
People with unexplained changes in libido or sexual function undergoing hormone assessment - SHBG can improve interpretation of Testosterone measurements.
People receiving Testosterone replacement therapy - SHBG is relevant when interpreting Total and calculated Free Testosterone during treatment.
People receiving Oestrogen-containing treatment - Oestrogen can increase SHBG concentrations.
People with thyroid disease and unexpected sex-hormone results - Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can affect SHBG differently.
People with significant liver disease - The liver produces SHBG, and liver physiology can alter its concentration.
People with a previous abnormal SHBG result - Repeat testing alongside sex hormones can establish whether the hormonal binding pattern has changed.
How to Prepare
Do not stop hormone treatment or prescribed medication simply to alter SHBG before testing.
For monitoring purposes, keeping the collection time and treatment schedule consistent can make repeat results easier to interpret.
Symptoms and Reasons to Consider the Sex Hormone Binding Globulin Test
SHBG itself does not usually cause symptoms. Symptoms arise when changes in hormone binding alter the amount of sex hormone available to tissues or reflect an underlying endocrine condition.
Reduced libido despite Total Testosterone within range - High SHBG can reduce estimated Free Testosterone availability in some men.
Erectile difficulties during investigation of possible androgen deficiency - SHBG can provide context when Testosterone results do not match symptoms.
Persistent fatigue with an uncertain Testosterone result - SHBG may help refine hormone interpretation, although fatigue is highly non-specific.
Reduced muscle mass or strength with suspected androgen deficiency - Calculated Free Testosterone may provide more information than Total Testosterone alone.
Irregular menstrual cycles with possible androgen excess - SHBG and Testosterone are often interpreted together during endocrine assessment.
Acne or increased facial or body hair in women - Low SHBG can increase the proportion of circulating free androgen, although these symptoms have several possible causes.
Scalp hair thinning with other androgenic symptoms - Hormonal investigation may include SHBG alongside Testosterone and DHEA Sulphate.
Unexpected hormone results during HRT or TRT - Changes in SHBG can affect interpretation of Total Testosterone and Oestradiol.
Symptoms of thyroid dysfunction with altered sex-hormone measurements - Thyroid disease can significantly influence SHBG.
These symptoms are not specific to SHBG abnormalities and should not be used to diagnose a hormone disorder without appropriate testing.
Sexual dysfunction, fatigue, hair changes and menstrual irregularity can have numerous endocrine and non-endocrine causes.
SHBG is most useful when interpreted together with the relevant hormone measurements.
How to Book Your Sex Hormone Binding Globulin Test
Booking your SHBG blood test with London Blood Tests is straightforward.
Choose the Sex Hormone Binding Globulin
Select the individual SHBG blood test online.
Select your sample collection option
Choose an in-clinic blood draw or professional home or hotel phlebotomy depending on location and availability.
Attend your appointment
A trained healthcare professional collects the required venous blood sample.
Laboratory analysis
Your serum is analysed to measure Sex Hormone Binding Globulin concentration.
Receive your results securely
Your authorised SHBG result is delivered securely and can be reviewed alongside Testosterone and other hormonal markers.
When Will I Receive My Results?
The current expected turnaround time for Sex Hormone Binding Globulin is approximately 1–2 business days after your blood sample reaches the laboratory.
SHBG is a routinely available endocrine measurement and can generally be analysed relatively quickly once the specimen enters the laboratory system.
The result undergoes laboratory quality-control procedures and authorisation before it is released.
Turnaround begins from laboratory receipt rather than necessarily from the exact time your blood is collected.
Courier schedules, weekends, bank holidays, specimen-quality issues or occasional repeat analysis can extend the overall reporting time.
If SHBG is ordered alongside specialist hormones with longer turnaround times, the complete hormone profile may not be available until those additional tests have also been authorised.
Understanding Your Results
A low SHBG result means less circulating sex hormone is bound tightly to SHBG.
This can increase the proportion of Testosterone that is free or otherwise biologically available relative to the Total Testosterone concentration.
Low SHBG can occur with obesity, insulin resistance, hypothyroidism and androgen excess, among other causes.
A high SHBG result means a greater proportion of circulating sex hormone is tightly bound.
In men, this can result in reduced calculated Free Testosterone despite Total Testosterone appearing satisfactory.
Higher SHBG can occur with hyperthyroidism, Oestrogen exposure, pregnancy, some liver conditions and selected medicines.
A result within the laboratory range does not necessarily mean that the overall hormone profile is normal because Total Testosterone or other hormones may still be abnormal.
SHBG should therefore be interpreted alongside Total Testosterone and, where appropriate, Albumin, calculated Free Testosterone and the Free Androgen Index.
In women, the Free Androgen Index can provide useful information when androgen excess is suspected.
In men, calculated Free Testosterone is generally more informative than relying on the Free Androgen Index alone.
The result should always be considered in relation to age, sex, symptoms, medication and hormonal treatment.
Why Book With London Blood Tests?
Private SHBG testing in London - Access targeted measurement of an important hormone-binding protein.
Improves Testosterone interpretation - SHBG helps explain how much Testosterone may be available to tissues.
Useful alongside Total Testosterone - Measuring the two together provides substantially more information than Total Testosterone alone in selected cases.
Supports Free Testosterone calculation - SHBG is required for commonly used calculated Free Testosterone methods.
Relevant to female androgen assessment - SHBG contributes to calculation of the Free Androgen Index.
Useful during TRT or HRT monitoring - Hormone treatment can alter both SHBG and circulating sex-hormone concentrations.
Fast results - Current turnaround is approximately 1–2 business days after laboratory receipt.
Clinic and home collection options - Professional phlebotomy can be arranged depending on availability.
Clear pricing - The Sex Hormone Binding Globulin test costs £38.
Private Sex Hormone Binding Globulin Blood Test in London
London Blood Tests provides private SHBG testing in London for women and men requiring more detailed assessment of sex-hormone availability.
The test costs £38 and measures 1 biomarker: Sex Hormone Binding Globulin.
SHBG is particularly useful when Total Testosterone does not fully explain symptoms or when calculated Free Testosterone or the Free Androgen Index is required.
Results are expected approximately 1–2 business days after laboratory receipt.
The result is best interpreted alongside the appropriate sex hormones rather than as a standalone diagnosis of hormonal imbalance.