Sex Hormone-binding Globulin

CPT: 84270
Print Share

Synonyms

  • Testosterone-binding Globulin

Special Instructions

This test may exhibit interference when sample is collected from a person who is consuming a supplement with a high dose of biotin (also termed as vitamin B7 or B8, vitamin H, or coenzyme R). It is recommended to ask all patients who may be indicated for this test about biotin supplementation. Patients should be cautioned to stop biotin consumption at least 72 hours prior to the collection of a sample.


Expected Turnaround Time

Within 1 day


Related Documents


Specimen Requirements


Specimen

Serum


Volume

1 mL


Minimum Volume

0.7 mL (Note: This volume does not allow for repeat testing.)


Container

Gel-barrier tube (preferred) or red-top tube


Collection

If a red-top tube is used, transfer separated serum to a plastic transport tube.


Storage Instructions

Room temperature


Stability Requirements

Temperature

Period

Room temperature

14 days

Refrigerated

14 days

Frozen

14 days

Freeze/thaw cycles

Stable x3


Causes for Rejection

Citrate plasma specimen; EDTA plasma specimen; improper labeling


Test Details


Use

Levels of SHBG are under the positive control of estrogens and thyroid hormones, and are suppressed by androgens. These influences dynamically control the liver synthesis of this carrier protein. Decreased levels of SHBG are frequently seen in hirsutism, virilization, obese postmenopausal women, and in women with diffuse hair loss. Increased levels may be present in cases of hyperthyroidism, testicular feminization, cirrhosis, male hypogonadism, pregnancy, women using oral contraceptives, and prepubertal children.


Limitations

As with all tests containing monoclonal mouse antibodies, erroneous findings may be obtained from samples taken from patients who have been treated with monoclonal mouse antibodies or who have received them for diagnostic purposes.1 In rare cases, interference due to extremely high titers of antibodies to streptavidin and ruthenium can occur.1 The test contains additives that minimize these effects.


Methodology

Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA)


Reference Interval

• Male:

− 20-49 years: 16.5−55.9 nmol/L

− >49 years: 19.3−76.4 nmol/L

• Female:

− 20-49 years: 24.6−122.0 nmol/L

− >49 years: 17.3−125.0 nmol/L


Additional Information

Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is the blood transport protein for testosterone and estradiol. It is a large glycoprotein with a molecular weight of about 95 kD and exists as a homodimer composed of two identical subunits. Each subunit contains two disulfide bridges.2

Planar C18 and C19 steroids with a 17α-hydroxyl group bind particularly well,3,4 whereas C19 17-ketosteroids, such as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione, do not bind so easily. SHBG has a high binding affinity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), medium affinity to testosterone and estradiol, and only a low affinity to estrone, DHEA, androstenedione, and estriol.

SHBG binds reversibly to sexual steroids. Albumin, which exists in far higher concentrations than SHBG, also binds to sexual steroids−although with a clearly lower binding affinity (eg, about 100 times lower for testosterone).

SHBG has a half-life of about seven days and is produced mainly by the liver. Its synthesis and secretion are regulated by estrogen.5,6 SHBG serum concentrations depend on the extent, duration, and the kind of estrogen applied, and how regulation takes place. Androgens and gestagens with androgenic residual action have the opposite effect.

In serum, SHBG mainly takes over the transportation of steroids and the reduction/regulation of the effect of androgen.7,8 Decreased SHBG serum levels are associated with conditions in which elevated androgen levels are present or in which the effect of androgen on its target organs is excessive. This explains the gender-related differences seen between men and women, especially during puberty.

Measurement of SHBG can be an important indicator of an excessive/chronic androgenic action where androgen levels are normal, but where clinical symptoms would seem to indicate androgen in excess. SHBG is a useful supplementary parameter in the determination of androgen where a relatively high concentration of free androgen (eg, testosterone) is suspected.9

By calculating the free androgen index (FAI), also called free testosterone index (FTI), from the ratio of total testosterone (TT) to SHBG [% FAI or FTI = (TT / SHBG) x 100], it is possible to calculate the approximate amount of free testosterone (FTc), as there is a direct correlation between FAI and FT. Only free testosterone is biologically active, and it best indicates the clinical situation of the patient. Free testosterone is also referred to as non-SHBG-bound testosterone and can be obtained by precipitation of the SHBG-bound-testosterone with ammonium sulfate, and by equilibrium dialysis.10,11

Elevated SHBG levels can be seen in elderly men, and are often found in patients with hyperthyroidism and cirrhosis of the liver. SHBG levels also increase when oral contraceptives or antiepileptic drugs are taken. Pregnant women have markedly higher SHBG serum concentrations due to their increased estrogen production. Decreased SHBG concentrations are often seen with hypothyroidism, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), obesity, hirsutism, elevated androgen levels, alopecia, and acromegaly.


Footnotes

1. SHBG on Elecsys 1010/2010 and Modular Analytics E170, 2007-09, V 7 [package insert]. Indianapolis, Ind: Roche Diagnostics; 2007.
2. Petra PH. The plasma sex steroid binding protein (SBP or SHBG). A critical review of recent developments on the structure, molecular biology and function. J Steroid Biochem Molec Biol. 1991; 40(4-6):735-753. 1958572
3. Avvakumov GV, Grishkovskaya I, Muller YA, Hammond GL. Resolution of the human sex hormone-binding globulin dimer interface and evidence for two steroid-binding sites per homodimer. J Biol Chem. 2001 Sep 14; 276(37):34453-34457. 11457864
4. Hammond GL, Bochinfuso WP. Sex hormone-binding globulin/androgen-binding protein: Steroid-binding and dimerization domains. J Steroid Biochem Molec Biol. 1995 Jun; 53(1-6):543-552. 7626508
5. Burger HG. Androgen production in women. Fertil Steril. 2002 Apr; 77(Suppl 4):S3-5. 12007895
6. Davis S. Testosterone deficiency in women. J Reprod Med. 2001 Mar; 46(3 Suppl):S291-296. 11304877
7. Rosner W, Hryb DJ, Khan MS, Nakhia AM, Romas NA. Sex hormone-binding globulin mediates steroid hormone signal transduction at the plasma membrane. J Steroid Biochem Molec Biol. 1999 Apr-Jun; 69(1-6):481-485. 10419028
8. Burger HG, Davis SR. The role of androgen therapy. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2003 Mar; 17(1):165-175. 12763519
9. Pugeat M, Crave JC, Tourniaire J, Forest MG. Clinical utility of sex hormone-binding globulin measurement. Horm Res. 1996; 45(3-5):148-155. 8964574
10. Vermeulen A, Verdonck L, Kaufman JM. A critical evaluation of simple methods for the estimation of free testosterone in serum. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1999 Oct; 84(10):3666-3672. 10523012
11. Morley JE, Patrick P, Perry HM 3rd. Evaluation of assays available to measure free testosterone. Metabolism. 2002 May; 51(5):554-559. 11979385

LOINC® Map

Order Code Order Code Name Order Loinc Result Code Result Code Name UofM Result LOINC
082016 Sex Horm Binding Glob, Serum 13967-5 082016 Sex Horm Binding Glob, Serum nmol/L 13967-5

For Providers

Please login to order a test

Order a Test

© 2021 Laboratory Corporation of America® Holdings and Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved.

CPT Statement/Profile Statement

The LOINC® codes are copyright © 1994-2021, Regenstrief Institute, Inc. and the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) Committee. Permission is granted in perpetuity, without payment of license fees or royalties, to use, copy, or distribute the LOINC® codes for any commercial or non-commercial purpose, subject to the terms under the license agreement found at https://loinc.org/license/. Additional information regarding LOINC® codes can be found at LOINC.org, including the LOINC Manual, which can be downloaded at LOINC.org/downloads/files/LOINCManual.pdf