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Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin Assessment

Meaning

Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG) Assessment is a clinical laboratory measurement of the concentration of this specific glycoprotein produced primarily by the liver, which binds tightly to circulating sex hormones, namely testosterone and estradiol. This assessment is critically important because SHBG acts as a major, passive regulator of sex hormone bioavailability, effectively sequestering a large portion of these hormones and rendering them temporarily biologically inactive. Clinicians use this measurement as a key variable to accurately calculate the free and bioavailable fractions of sex hormones, offering a more functional and precise view of a patient’s androgen and estrogen status.