SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) Hormone Test

Test ID: B-201 | Sample Type: Dried Blood Spot | Test Method: Immunoassay | Results: 3–5 Working Days | Laboratory: ZRT Laboratory – CLIA Certified | Report: Specialist Doctor Comment Included | Suitable For: Adults and Children | Collect Sample At Home: No Clinic Visit Required

What This Test Measures

SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) — assesses how much testosterone and oestrogen is biologically available to your tissues and helps calculate free testosterone levels.

Could an SHBG Imbalance Be Affecting Your Hormones, Energy, or Fertility?

Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) plays a critical but often overlooked role in hormone health. It controls how much testosterone and oestrogen is actually available to your body’s tissues. An imbalance — in either direction — can cause a wide range of symptoms. If you recognise any of the following, an SHBG test could explain what’s happening:

Symptoms of low SHBG (excess free androgens):

• Excessive body hair or male-pattern hair growth (hirsutism) in women
• Acne or oily skin
• Hair thinning or male-pattern baldness
• Irregular or absent periods
• Reduced breast size
• Voice deepening
• Increased muscle mass without explanation
• Signs of PCOS or insulin resistance

Symptoms of high SHBG (low free testosterone):

• Low libido or reduced sex drive
• Fatigue and low energy despite adequate sleep
• Difficulty building or maintaining muscle
• Low mood, depression, or lack of motivation
• Brain fog or poor concentration
• Erectile dysfunction or reduced sexual performance in men
• Weight gain, especially around the abdomen

What Is SHBG and Why Does It Matter?

Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) is a protein produced by the liver that binds to testosterone and oestrogen in the bloodstream, controlling how much of each hormone is free and biologically active.

• High SHBG — binds more testosterone, leaving less free testosterone available; common in men with low energy, low libido, or those on thyroid medication
• Low SHBG — more free testosterone circulates, which can cause androgenic symptoms in women such as PCOS and hirsutism, or indicate insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction

SHBG is essential for understanding your true hormone balance — total testosterone alone does not tell the full picture. SHBG testing is particularly important for anyone investigating hormone imbalance, fertility concerns, or symptoms that don’t match standard hormone results.

What Is SHBG and Why Does It Matter?

Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) is a protein produced by the liver that binds to testosterone and oestrogen in the bloodstream, controlling how much of each hormone is “free” and biologically active.

• High SHBG — binds more testosterone, leaving less free testosterone available. Common in men with low energy, low libido, or those on thyroid medication.
• Low SHBG — more free testosterone circulates, which can cause androgenic symptoms in women (e.g. PCOS, hirsutism) or indicate insulin resistance and metabolic issues.

Reference Ranges

SHBG is essential for understanding your true hormone balance — total testosterone alone does not tell the full picture. SHBG testing is particularly important for anyone investigating hormone imbalance, fertility concerns, or symptoms that don’t match standard hormone results.

Who Should Consider This Test?

• Symptoms that don’t match standard total testosterone or oestrogen results
• PCOS, hirsutism, irregular periods, or androgen excess symptoms in women
• Low libido, fatigue, poor mood, or difficulty building muscle in men or women
• Men with normal total testosterone but persistent androgenic deficiency symptoms
• Anyone on TRT wanting to assess free testosterone availability
• Fertility concerns or unexplained hormone imbalance
• Suspected insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome

How It Works

1. Order your kit — delivered to your door
2. Collect your sample at home — a simple finger-prick dried blood spot; no clinic or GP visit needed
3. Post your sample to ZRT Laboratory using the return instructions provided
4. Receive your results by email within 3–5 working days of the lab receiving your sample

What You Receive

• Your SHBG level displayed clearly in graphics and numbers with sex-specific reference ranges
• Written interpretation by a Hormone Specialist PhD Doctor
• Guidance on what your result means and what to do next
• Laboratory fee included — no hidden charges

Why We Use ZRT Laboratory

All testing is performed by ZRT Laboratory — a globally recognised, CLIA-certified diagnostic laboratory founded in 1998 by Dr. David Zava, PhD. ZRT has performed over 11 million tests and is trusted by healthcare professionals in 96+ countries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need SHBG tested if I already have a testosterone result?
Total testosterone measures all testosterone in the blood, including the protein-bound fraction that is inactive. SHBG determines how much of that testosterone is actually free and available to tissues. A man with high SHBG can have normal total testosterone but critically low free testosterone with full deficiency symptoms — a distinction that total testosterone alone cannot reveal.

Is this test suitable for women?
Yes. SHBG is equally important for women — low SHBG is associated with PCOS, hirsutism, insulin resistance, and androgen excess; high SHBG is associated with low libido and fatigue even when oestrogen and total testosterone appear within range.

Does the price include the laboratory fee?
Yes. The full laboratory analysis fee is included. You are only responsible for posting your sample to the laboratory.

How long is the kit valid for?
The kit must be used within 12 months of the purchase date.