What happens after I get my results?

You'll receive detailed doctor notes in simple language explaining what your SHBG levels mean for your hormone balance, energy, and metabolism. These notes include personalized recommendations like dietary changes, exercise adjustments, supplement suggestions, or whether you should investigate further hormone testing. You'll also get the standard lab report and can track your SHBG levels over time using our trends feature to see how lifestyle changes or treatments are affecting your hormone availability.

Who should consider getting this test?

This test is valuable for anyone experiencing symptoms of hormonal imbalance despite normal testosterone or estrogen levels. It's especially useful for men with low energy or difficulty building muscle, women with irregular periods or fertility concerns, athletes monitoring performance and recovery, and anyone struggling with unexplained weight changes or decreased libido. People on hormone therapy or testosterone replacement may also use this test to optimize their treatment.

What symptoms indicate I may need this test?

Common symptoms include persistent fatigue even with adequate sleep, difficulty gaining or maintaining muscle mass, unexplained weight gain especially around the midsection, low or decreased sex drive, irregular menstrual cycles in women, erectile dysfunction in men, mood changes, and brain fog. You might also consider this test if your total testosterone or estrogen levels appear normal but you still experience these hormonal symptoms.

How can I naturally support healthy SHBG levels?

Maintaining a healthy weight through balanced nutrition and regular exercise can help optimize SHBG levels. Eating adequate protein, including fiber-rich foods, and reducing refined carbohydrates and sugar can make a difference. Regular strength training and moderate cardio exercise support healthy hormone balance. Getting 7-9 hours of quality sleep, managing stress, limiting alcohol consumption, and avoiding endocrine-disrupting chemicals in plastics and personal care products can also help.

What is SHBG and why does it matter?

SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) is a protein made by your liver that binds to sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen as they travel through your bloodstream. Think of it as a carrier that holds onto hormones, making them temporarily unavailable for your body to use. Only unbound or free hormones can enter cells and have effects. When SHBG is too high, it can bind too much hormone and reduce what's available, potentially causing low hormone symptoms even when total levels look normal.

What does high SHBG mean?

High SHBG means more of your sex hormones are bound up and unavailable for your body to use, which can lead to symptoms of low testosterone or estrogen even when total hormone levels appear normal. In men, this might cause fatigue, low libido, and difficulty building muscle. In women, it may contribute to irregular periods or fertility issues. High SHBG can be caused by hyperthyroidism, low protein diets, certain medications, or high estrogen states.

What does low SHBG mean?

Low SHBG means less protein is available to bind hormones, resulting in more free (active) hormones circulating in your body. While this might sound beneficial, it can actually cause problems like acne, oily skin, hair loss, mood swings, and increased risk of metabolic issues. Low SHBG is often associated with insulin resistance, obesity, hypothyroidism, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It may also indicate too much available testosterone or estrogen causing unwanted effects.