SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin)
SHBG is a liver-made protein that binds testosterone and estrogen and regulates how much circulates freely. Low SHBG is associated with obesity, insulin resistance, fatty liver, and hypothyroidism, while high SHBG occurs in hyperthyroidism, liver disease, and with oral estrogen use. Changes in SHBG affect the interpretation of total testosterone and estradiol.
Units: nmol/L. Check the units on your report before comparing to any range here.
Optimal range: who says what
Institutions, researchers and practitioners draw the line in different places. Each position is listed with who holds it and, where a document states it, a link. How we verify ranges.
- Named practitionermen about 30-40 nmol/L / women about 60-80 nmol/LLife Extension · Lab Testing Protocol (Suggested Optimal Ranges)Disclosure: Life Extension sells lab panels that appear in our blood-test comparisons.
- General guidance, no named sourceMid-referenceBoth extremes distort the free fraction of testosterone
- Lab reference intervalMen: 10-57 nmol/L, Women (non-pregnant): 18-144 nmol/LWhat a lab report flags against. A lab interval is not an optimal target.
Practitioner targets are individual positions, often tighter than guideline ranges. Each was checked against its article before publishing.
15 of 21 itemized panels
Sex Hormones (Male)
Why SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) matters
Binds testosterone and estrogen, regulating how much is available for tissues to use. Low SHBG is associated with insulin resistance; high SHBG can cause symptoms of low testosterone.
Which Providers Test SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin)?
Cheapest: Mito Health at $297/year. Most comprehensive: Function Health, 160+ biomarkers for $365/year.
15 panels that include it, cheapest first
| Provider | Annual Cost | Total Biomarkers | $/Biomarker |
|---|---|---|---|
| $297 | 100+ | $2.97 | |
 Superpower | $349 | 100+ | $3.49 |
| $349 | 75+ | $4.65 | |
 WHOOP Advanced Labs | $349 | 65 | $5.37 |
 Function Health | $365 | 160+ | $2.28 |
| $365 | 100+ | $3.65 | |
| $375 | 108 | $3.47 | |
| $495 | 80+ | $6.19 | |
| $499 | 100+ | $4.99 | |
| $700 | 138 | $5.07 | |
| $829 | 54 | $15.35 | |
| $895 | 100+ | $8.95 | |
| $996 | 59 | $16.88 | |
| $1188 | 70+ | $16.97 | |
| $1950 | 130+ | $15.00 |
$/Biomarker is annual cost divided by the panel's advertised biomarker count, not the price of this one test. We track 23 blood test providers (32 plans); 21 of those plans are itemized marker by marker. Compare all of them.
6 itemized panels do not include SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin)
Labcorp OnDemand · Life Extension Elite · Everlywell · Marek Health Base · Empirical Health · Oura Health Panels
11 providers not itemized in our matrix
We have not itemized these marker by marker (some sell tests one at a time), so this page cannot say whether they offer SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin). Check with them directly.
Life Extension Standard · Quest Health · Ultrahuman Blood Vision · Lifeforce · Hundred Health · Personalabs · Walk-In Lab · HealthLabs · WHOOP Specialized Panels · Marek Health Essential · Vitality Blueprint Upload
Experts discussing SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin)
Podcast episodes where clinicians and researchers cover this marker in depth. Curated by hand; an episode is listed only when the marker is a substantial topic, not a passing mention.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the optimal range for SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin)?
Named practitioners target: men about 30-40 nmol/L / women about 60-80 nmol/L (Life Extension). General guidance without a named source: Mid-reference (Both extremes distort the free fraction of testosterone). Lab reference interval: Men: 10-57 nmol/L, Women (non-pregnant): 18-144 nmol/L. That is what a lab report flags against, not an optimal target.
Which blood test providers include SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin)?
15 of the 21 blood testing panels we itemize marker by marker include SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) in their panels. This biomarker is widely available across major providers.
Related: YouBoost rates lifestyle and supplement interventions by evidence; HRV Zone tracks recovery trends.
Medical Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider about your specific health needs.
Last reviewed Sep 23, 2026 · First published Sep 30, 2025