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sex hor·mone bind·ing glob·u·lin SHBG is a protein made by your liver. It binds tightly to 3 sex hormones found in both men and women; estrogen; dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and testosterone. SHBG carries these three hormones throughout your blood. The level of SHBG in your blood changes because of factors such as sex and age. It can also change because of obesity, liver disease, and hyperthyroidism.
Your blood spot samples will test: Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) levels.
High levels of SHBG in women can be caused by:
- Elevated estradiol levels over normal
- Hyperthyroidism
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Extreme weight loss as in anorexia nervosa
- Increased conversion of testosterone to estrogen
- Fibrocystic disease of the breasts
- Any compromise of liver detoxification such as alcohol abuse, certain meds, heavy metals etc. can decrease liver capacity to excrete excess estrogens from the body.
- Birth control pills
- Stress with elevated cortisol
- Cigarette smoking
- Pregnancy
Low levels of SHBG in women can be caused by:
- PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)
- Hyperthyroidism
- Diabetes/insulin resistance
- Hyperprolactinemia
- Excessive androgen activity
High levels of SHBG in men can be caused by:
- Elevated estradiol levels from conversion of testosterone
- Hyperthyroidism
- Aging
- Extreme weight loss as in anorexia nervosa
- Certain medications as the Dilantin (a phenytoin)
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Cigarette smoking
- Any compromise of liver detoxification such as alcohol abuse, certain meds, heavy metals etc. can decrease liver capacity to excrete excess estrogens from the body.
- Testicular cancer
Low levels of SHBG in men can be caused by:
- Hyperthyroidism
- Diabetes/insulin resistance
- Hyperprolactinemia
- Excessive androgen activity
Everything you need to collect your sample and return it to the lab is included in the test kit you will receive.
You can review these illustrated Collection Instructions now or wait to receive them in your package.
Your test results will be returned to us within 5 to 7 business days from the date the lab receives your sample. Once we know that your results are available, we will send you an email so that you can login and review them.
NOTE: Per state laws, if you live in California, you will need to email us a prescription from a medical practitioner (could be a physician, physician's assistant, naturopath etc.) in order for us to process your order and send you your test. New York residents may not receive tests per state laws. Having your tests shipped to you outside of California or New York may be the best way to go. (The Air Quality tests and Pet tests do NOT need a prescription and can be sent anywhere needed.)
Because the test kits include postage-paid return shipping, there is an extra shipping charge of $10.00 that will be added to your test order.
The SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) test is used as a relative index of overall exposure to all forms of estrogens, as an indirect index of estrogen interaction with the liver and as an indicator of bioavailable testosterone. High levels of SHBG indicate excess exposure to estrogens and lower bio-availability of testosterone to tissues, The test may be used to help evaluate men for low testosterone and women for excess testosterone production. It is recommended that SHBG be tested along with testosterone in order to determine an imbalance between testosterone and estrogen. Such an imbalance is an important indicator of Andropause onset and/or premature aging in men.
Please note that because return postage is included with this test kit, there is an extra shipping charge of $10. (This extra charge is NOT added to the Canine Health Check Test Kit or Any of the Air Quality Test Kits.
Everything you need to collect your sample and return it to the lab is included. You should receive your results approximately 5 to 7 business days after the lab has received your sample. There are no additional lab or postage fees required after test purchase.
This is a safe, easy to use home blood spot test for men and women of any age.