What do your SHBG levels mean?

The short answer

Nobody we follow has said what your SHBG should be. It comes up on the shows, but never with a number.

Your lab prints 18–144 nmol/L. That range exists to catch disease, not to describe your best.

Labs print different ranges by sex: about 18–144 nmol/L for women and 10–57 for men.

What SHBG measures

A protein that binds sex hormones and holds them inactive.

It decides how much of your testosterone and oestrogen your body can reach. So it changes what a total hormone value means.

Checked against MedlinePlus — SHBG Blood Test.

Common questions

What is a normal SHBG level?

Most US labs print 18–144 nmol/L. Your report grades you against that range. It exists to catch disease, not to describe your best. Labs print different ranges by sex: about 18–144 nmol/L for women and 10–57 for men.

What does your SHBG number mean?

Under 18 nmol/L, your report marks it low. Between 18 and 144 it prints as normal. Over 144, your report marks it high. Nobody we follow has drawn a line inside that range. Labs print different ranges by sex: about 18–144 nmol/L for women and 10–57 for men.

What does the SHBG test measure?

A protein that binds sex hormones and holds them inactive. It decides how much of your testosterone and oestrogen your body can reach. So it changes what a total hormone value means.

Why is there no target here?

Because nobody we follow has named a number for SHBG. If that changes, it will be here.