What is SHBG?
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) plays a key role in regulating hormone levels in the body, particularly testosterone and oestradiol. While it often goes unnoticed, this vital protein helps determine how much of these hormones are available for the body to use, influencing everything from energy and mood to libido and metabolism.
Understanding SHBG and how it functions helps to give a clearer picture of your hormonal health. Whether you’re experiencing symptoms of hormonal imbalance or simply want to monitor your overall wellbeing, knowing your SHBG level can offer valuable insight into how your body is managing its hormones.
Our Male Testosterone Profile and Advanced Male Hormone Profile both measure the levels of various key hormones in the blood, including SHBG. Book your package today and help identify any hormonal imbalances that could be causing problems such as hair loss, a reduced sex drive and infertility.
What does SHBG do in the body?
SHBG is a glycoprotein produced primarily in the liver. Its main role is to bind to sex hormones - mainly testosterone and oestradiol - and carry them through the bloodstream. When hormones are bound to SHBG, they are considered inactive. Only unbound, or ‘free,’ hormones are available for the body to use.
By regulating the amount of free testosterone and oestradiol, SHBG plays a crucial part in maintaining hormonal balance and supporting key functions in the body, including:
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Muscle and bone health – by controlling how much testosterone is available to tissues
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Sexual health and libido – as SHBG levels can influence testosterone activity
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Mood and mental clarity – imbalanced hormone levels may affect emotional wellbeing
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Metabolism and body composition – including fat distribution and energy use
Both high and low levels of SHBG can affect how your body functions. For example:
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High SHBG may reduce the amount of free testosterone, potentially leading to fatigue, low libido or reduced muscle mass.
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Low SHBG can increase free testosterone levels, which in some cases may contribute to conditions like acne, mood changes or insulin resistance.
For more insight into how hormones affect men’s health, explore our guide to key male hormones.
Why SHBG levels matter in men’s health
SHBG levels can have a significant impact on overall hormone balance and health in men. Because SHBG regulates how much testosterone is available for the body to use, any imbalance can influence everything from energy levels and libido to muscle strength and mood.
Low or high SHBG levels don’t usually cause symptoms on their own - but they affect the levels of free (active) testosterone, which can.
Low SHBG levels may be linked to:
- Increased levels of free testosterone
- Insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes
- Obesity and metabolic syndrome
- Higher risk of cardiovascular disease
High SHBG levels may lead to:
- Reduced free testosterone
- Symptoms of low testosterone, such as fatigue, low libido or decreased muscle mass
- Thyroid issues or liver disease in some cases
Because SHBG levels can influence testosterone bioavailability, they are often measured as part of a comprehensive hormone panel - especially when symptoms of hormonal imbalance are present, but total testosterone appears normal.
Tracking your SHBG, along with other key hormones, provides a fuller picture of your hormonal health and helps guide next steps if something is out of balance.
What causes high or low SHBG levels?
SHBG levels are influenced by a variety of internal and external factors. These levels can fluctuate depending on age, lifestyle, underlying health conditions and hormone levels. Understanding what might cause SHBG to rise or fall can help identify why symptoms of hormonal imbalance may be occurring.
Causes of high SHBG levels in men may include:
- Liver disease – SHBG is produced in the liver, so liver dysfunction can affect production
- Hyperthyroidism – overactive thyroid can increase SHBG
- Ageing – SHBG levels naturally rise with age, which may reduce free testosterone
- Certain medications – such as anti-seizure drugs or oestrogen therapy
- HIV infection – has been linked to increased SHBG levels
Causes of low SHBG levels in men may include:
- Obesity – excess body fat is associated with reduced SHBG
- Insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes – can suppress SHBG production
- Hypothyroidism – underactive thyroid may lower SHBG levels
- Excess androgen levels – including high testosterone or anabolic steroid use
What are the symptoms of imbalanced SHBG?
Because SHBG affects how much testosterone and other sex hormones are available in the body, an imbalance can lead to a range of symptoms - especially if levels are too high or too low for your age and health profile.
Symptoms of high SHBG levels may include:
- Low libido or reduced sexual desire
- Erectile dysfunction
- Fatigue or low energy
- Mood changes, including low mood or irritability
- Loss of muscle mass
- Difficulty maintaining strength or physical performance
Symptoms of low SHBG levels may include:
- Excess body fat, particularly around the abdomen
- Increased risk of insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes
- Acne or oily skin (due to higher levels of free androgens)
- Irritability or mood swings
- Hormonal imbalance symptoms despite normal total testosterone levels
It’s important to note that symptoms alone may not confirm an SHBG imbalance - blood testing is essential for accurate assessment. If you’re experiencing persistent changes in energy, mood or sexual health, it could be worth investigating SHBG as part of a broader hormone profile.
How SHBG is measured
SHBG levels are measured through a simple blood test, often as part of a wider hormone profile such as the Male Hormone Profile or Advanced Male Hormone Profile from Bluecrest. This test helps assess how much SHBG is present in your bloodstream and, by extension, how much free (bioavailable) testosterone is likely to be available to your body.
While total testosterone levels give an overview, they don’t show how much is actually accessible for use. That’s why SHBG is an important marker - especially when symptoms suggest hormonal imbalance but testosterone appears to be within a normal range.
Your SHBG test results may be reviewed alongside:
- Total testosterone
- Free testosterone (calculated or directly measured)
- Albumin (another protein that binds to testosterone)
- Other key hormones such as FSH, LH and oestradiol
By looking at SHBG in context with other hormone levels, healthcare professionals can build a clearer picture of your hormonal health and offer more accurate insights and guidance.
Can SHBG levels be treated?
While SHBG itself isn’t typically targeted with direct treatment, levels can often be influenced by addressing the underlying factors that cause them to rise or fall. Treatment focuses on restoring overall hormonal balance and improving the body’s natural regulation.
Ways to help manage SHBG levels include:
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Addressing underlying health conditions such as thyroid disorders, liver disease or insulin resistance
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Maintaining a healthy weight – excess body fat can suppress SHBG, while being underweight may elevate it
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Improving diet and lifestyle – balanced nutrition, regular exercise and adequate sleep all support healthy hormone regulation
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Managing stress, as chronic stress and elevated cortisol can impact SHBG and testosterone levels
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Reviewing medication – certain prescriptions (e.g. steroids, anti-androgens or thyroid meds) can affect SHBG production
In some cases, hormone therapy or other medical interventions may be considered - especially if symptoms are significantly affecting quality of life. It’s important to speak with a healthcare professional to interpret your results and determine the most appropriate course of action.
Check your hormone levels with a Male Hormone Profile
If you're experiencing symptoms like fatigue, low libido or mood changes, understanding your SHBG levels could provide valuable insight into your overall hormonal health. SHBG plays a crucial role in regulating testosterone availability, and imbalances can impact various aspects of well-being.
By taking a Male Hormone Profile, you can gain a comprehensive view of your hormone levels, including SHBG, testosterone and other key markers. This test is an essential tool for men looking to optimise their health, especially those dealing with symptoms of hormonal imbalance or seeking to monitor their health proactively.
Book your Male Testosterone Profile or Advanced Male Hormone Profile today to get a full picture of your health.
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