What Causes Abnormal Sex Hormone Binding Globulin?

In order to deal properly with abnormal sex hormone binding globulin we need to understand and — if possible — remove the underlying causes and risk factors. We need to ask: "What else is going on inside the body that might allow abnormal sex hormone binding globulin to develop?"

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Accurate diagnosis of the factors behind abnormal sex hormone binding globulin consists of three steps:

Step 1: List the Possible Causative Factors

Identify all disease conditions, lifestyle choices and environmental risk factors that can lead to abnormal sex hormone binding globulin. Here are three possibilities:

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
A Weight Problem
Hypothyroidism

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

Identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:

having low-normal TT4 level

frequent colds/flus

sugar-free soft drink consumption

having heavy periods

very brittle hair

high air pollution exposure

T4-only thyroid hormone use

somewhat elevated basophil count

regular postprandial somnolence

regular unexplained sadness/crying

having high percentage body fat

high iodine consumption

... and more than 40 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of abnormal sex hormone binding globulin:

Cause	Probability	Status
A Weight Problem	93%	Confirm
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome	20%	Unlikely
Hypothyroidism	5%	Ruled out

* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

If you indicate having had recent lab tests, The Analyst™ will ask further questions including this one:

If your Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) level has been measured, what was the result?

Possible responses:

→ Don't know
→ Very low
→ Somewhat low
→ Normal
→ Elevated

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate very low SHBG, moderately low SHBG, normal SHBG or elevated SHBG, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:

Hypothyroidism

Thyroid diseases such as hypothyroid affect hormonal balance.

Problems Caused By Being Overweight

Obesity tends to increase the levels of sex hormone (estrogen, testosterone) activity, and decrease levels of sex hormone binding globulin.

Concerned or curious about your health? Try The Analyst™