Blog — SHBG

Fertility Mapping: Navigating Fertility with PCOS and Insulin Resistance (Part II)By Dr. Alison McAllister Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex, multifactorial condition influenced by disruptions in hormone receptors, metabolism, neurotransmitter function, and nutrient balance. As a lifelong disorder, PCOS is a leading contributor to infertility, weight gain, and an increased risk for cardiometabolic issues. In this blog post, we dive deeper into laboratory testing, helping healthcare providers understand which tests are critical for women suspected of having PCOS. Lab Testing for PCOS PCOS is most commonly diagnosed through the Rotterdam Criteria, a diagnostic framework that considers various indicators, including...

Low testosterone in older men, often referred to as “male menopause” or even “andropause” is fairly well known — and testosterone replacement therapy in this age group has not been without its share of controversy, particularly with respect to heart health. Proper testing and dosing are all-important, as well as understanding a man’s physiology and all the factors that affect testosterone levels. For example, when giving testosterone transdermally it is critical to use testing methods such as dried blood spot or saliva to properly assess absorption of testosterone into the body, avoiding the problem of overdosing to achieve “normal” serum levels. But while...

BY Dr. Allison Smith ZRT Laboratory SHBG, or Sex Hormone Binding Globulin, controls testosterone effect in both men and women by modulating changes in sex steroid levels. When SHBG goes up, free testosterone goes down. I like to think of SHBG as a sponge that soaks up androgens and to some degree estrogens as well. Since it binds so specifically and tightly to testosterone, it makes up part of the equation that equals androgen excess or androgen deficiency. Knowing how to manipulate SHBG can be a useful tool in a number of scenarios. Role: Bind to and carry testosterone (and less strongly...