Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) Test
About Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) Test
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | SHBG, TeBG, Testosterone-Oestrogen Binding Globulin, Sex Steroid-Binding Globulin (SSBG) |
| Sample Type | Venous blood (serum) |
| Fasting Required | No fasting required; morning collection is preferred |
| Report Time | 2 to 3 working days |
| Recommended For | Adult males and females with symptoms of abnormal testosterone levels |
| Price | Starting at ₹2,300 |
What Is a Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) Test?
The SHBG test is a blood test that measures the level of sex hormone-binding globulin in your blood. SHBG is a protein made by the liver that attaches to sex hormones, including testosterone and oestrogen, and controls how much of these hormones are actively available to the body's tissues.
It is also referred to as the sex hormone-binding globulin test, the TeBG test, or the testosterone-oestrogen binding globulin test. A doctor may order it alongside a testosterone test when hormone-related symptoms need further investigation.
What Does a Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) Test Measure?
The serum SHBG test measures the concentration of SHBG protein in your blood. Understanding SHBG levels helps assess how much testosterone and other sex hormones are truly available for the body to use.
The key points about what this test evaluates are listed below.
| Component | What It Tells You |
|---|---|
| SHBG protein level | How much of a carrier protein is present in the blood |
| Bioavailable testosterone | An indirect indicator of how much testosterone is free and active |
| Hormone regulation | Whether the balance between bound and free sex hormones is appropriate |
In men, roughly 45% to 65% of testosterone circulates bound to SHBG in an inactive form. Only about 2% to 3% is immediately available to tissues as free testosterone. Changes in SHBG levels therefore directly affect how much hormone the body can actually use.
Why Is a Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) Test Done?
A doctor may order an SHBG blood test when symptoms suggest an imbalance in sex hormone levels. The test is used to evaluate both men and women.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
The following symptoms are among the most common reasons a doctor requests this test.
- Low sex drive in men
- Difficulty getting or maintaining an erection
- Fatigue or unexplained loss of muscle mass
- Fertility problems in men
- Excess facial or body hair growth in women
- Irregular or absent menstrual periods
- Deepening of the voice in women
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The sex hormone-binding globulin test can support the diagnosis of several conditions. These include:
- Low testosterone (androgen deficiency) in men
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women
- Hypogonadism (reduced hormone production by the sex glands)
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland)
- Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes risk
- Early or delayed puberty in children
- Hirsutism (excessive hair growth) in women
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) Test for Chronic Disease Monitoring
The SHBG test is useful for monitoring ongoing hormonal conditions. In women with PCOS, tracking SHBG levels over time helps assess whether the condition is being managed effectively. For individuals on hormone replacement therapy (HRT), this test can indicate how well treatment is working by showing changes in hormone availability.
How to Prepare and What to Expect
No special preparation is needed before an SHBG blood test, but a few simple steps will help ensure accurate results.
Do You Need to Fast?
No, fasting is not required before this test. However, morning collection is preferred because hormone levels naturally fluctuate throughout the day, and morning samples tend to give the most consistent readings.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
A few simple steps before your test can help ensure reliable results.
- Tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take, especially corticosteroids, oestrogens, and anticonvulsants, as these can affect SHBG levels
- Stop taking biotin supplements at least 72 hours before your test, as biotin can interfere with results
- Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours before the test
- Wear a loose, half-sleeved top for easy access to the arm during blood collection
- Book a morning appointment when possible
Step-by-Step Procedure
The sample collection process for a serum SHBG test is straightforward and takes only a few minutes.
- A trained phlebotomist will ask you to sit comfortably and extend your arm
- The skin on your inner arm will be cleaned with an antiseptic wipe.
- A small needle will be inserted into a vein, usually in the crook of the elbow, to draw a blood sample into a collection tube.
- You may feel a brief, mild sting as the needle goes in. The entire collection takes less than five minutes.
- Gentle pressure is applied to the puncture site after the needle is removed, and a small bandage may be placed on the area.
- Your sample is labelled and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors can influence the reliability of your SHBG test results.
- Time of day the sample is collected
- Use of oestrogen-containing medications, corticosteroids, or anticonvulsants
- Biotin supplements taken close to the test date
- Obesity or significant changes in body weight
- Liver disease or thyroid conditions
- Dehydration or recent strenuous exercise
Understanding Your Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) Test Results
Your results should always be reviewed with a qualified doctor who can assess them alongside your full health history. The table below shows the generally accepted reference ranges for SHBG.
| Parameter | Normal Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| SHBG (Males) | 15-64 nmol/L in <50 year olds and14-78 nmol/L in >50 year olds | nmol/L |
| SHBG (Females, non-pregnant) | 19-145 nmol/L in <50 year olds and 14-136 nmol/L in >50 year olds | nmol/L |
Men typically have lower SHBG levels than women. SHBG levels in men tend to rise gradually with age as testosterone production declines.
These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
Certain health states can affect how results are interpreted.
- During pregnancy, SHBG levels rise significantly because the placenta also produces this protein. Standard reference ranges do not apply to pregnant women, so results from this period require careful interpretation.
- In people with an overactive thyroid (thyrotoxicosis), SHBG levels tend to be elevated. This can sometimes help confirm that thyroid hormone levels are genuinely affecting body tissues.
- In individuals with insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, or a high risk of type 2 diabetes, persistently low SHBG levels may indicate a greater likelihood of cardiovascular complications or progression to diabetes.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
These general wellness tips may help support balanced hormone levels over time.
- Regular moderate aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking or cycling, has been shown to support healthy SHBG levels
- Maintaining a healthy body weight through balanced, nutrient-rich eating can positively influence SHBG production
- Reducing refined carbohydrates and added sugars in your diet may help improve insulin sensitivity, which in turn supports normal SHBG levels
Lupin Diagnostics Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) Test Price and Home Collection
The SHBG test at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹2,300, with home sample collection available across major Indian cities. The table below shows approximate prices by city.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| Mumbai | ₹2,300 |
| Bangalore | ₹2,300 |
| Chennai | ₹2,300 |
| Hyderabad | ₹2,300 |
| Kolkata | ₹2,300 |
| Pune | ₹2,300 |
| Bhopal | ₹2,300 |
| Indore | ₹2,300 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website
- Choose your city and preferred time slot
- Opt for home sample collection by a certified phlebotomist, or visit your nearest Lupin Diagnostics centre
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time
Home Collection
Lupin Diagnostics offers home collection for the sex hormone-binding globulin test across cities in India, so you can have your sample collected at a time and place that is convenient for you. All samples are processed in NABL-accredited laboratories by trained professionals. Your digital report is delivered directly to you via email or WhatsApp within 2 to 3 working days.
Frequently Asked Questions
The SHBG test is used to evaluate men who may have low testosterone and women who may have excess testosterone or androgen activity. It is often ordered alongside a total testosterone test when symptoms do not fully match an earlier test result, as SHBG levels affect how much testosterone is actually available to body tissues.
No fasting is required before a serum SHBG test. You can eat and drink normally beforehand. A morning appointment is preferred; however, since hormone levels vary throughout the day, morning samples tend to produce the most consistent readings.
A low SHBG blood test result generally means more sex hormones, particularly testosterone, are free and active in the body. This can be associated with conditions such as PCOS, obesity, hypothyroidism, insulin resistance, or type 2 diabetes. Your doctor will review your results alongside other tests before drawing any conclusions.
When SHBG levels are high, more testosterone is bound and inactive, meaning less is available for the body's tissues to use.
Measuring both SHBG and total testosterone allows your healthcare provider to calculate your Free Androgen Index or estimate the exact fraction of bioavailable testosterone, giving a more reliable description of functional hormone levels than a total testosterone test alone.
Yes, certain medicines can raise or lower SHBG levels. These include oestrogen-containing contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, corticosteroids, and anticonvulsant drugs. Always inform your doctor about every medication and supplement you are taking before your test.
The frequency depends on your individual health needs and your doctor's advice. If you are being monitored for a hormonal condition such as PCOS or hypogonadism, or are undergoing hormone replacement therapy, your doctor may recommend periodic testing to track changes over time.
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) Test
