In the liver, sexual hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is produced mostly as a carrier protein. The hormone SHBG is responsible for regulating testosterone, DHT, and other hormones and estradiol by binding to them and circulating them in the body.
Depending on the SHBG level, there may be too many unbound sex hormones available (meaning there are too many unbound sex hormones) or too few (indicating not enough unbound sex hormones available). Low-protein diets may cause SHBG levels to rise, which can lead to lower testosterone levels, reduced fertility, decreased bone density, and higher cancer rates. The main thing is “how to lower SHBG?”.
What is SHBG?
1. In the liver, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is produced in large quantities. In the meantime, low SHBG is often associated a person who is obese, diabetic, hypertensive, and hypothyroid is at risk.
2. Having a normal level of SHBG is important since it controls how much hormone is delivered to the body’s tissues. A woman’s threshold is between 18-144 nmol/L, and a men is between 10-57 nmol/L.
3. We will discuss ways to boost testosterone levels by reducing elevated levels of SHBG in this article. These are some suggested methods to boost low levels of SHBG. Some hormones are bound to it, including:
- testosterone
- dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
- estradiol (an estrogen)
4. Your blood is filled with these hormones as SHBG carries them. This bound state prevents hormones from being used by your cells. The body does this in order to keep hormone levels in check.
5. When your body’s SHBG levels are low, there is a greater likelihood that sex hormones are unbound. An elevated level of SHBG means you have fewer free sex hormones available in your body.
6. Males and females have different levels of SHBG. SHBG levels can be adversely affected by several other factors, causing them to be abnormally low or high. Discover the reasons you might need an SHBG test and gain more knowledge about SHBG levels.
What Are Normal SHBG levels?
1. As an adult, the normal concentration ranges of SHBG are:
- The average male has between ten and 57 nanomoles per liter (nmol/L).
- (non-pregnant) females: 18 to 144 nmol/L
2. SHBG levels are typically lower in men than in women. Typically, however, as a man ages, his SHBG level rises, in the absence of testosterone.
3. SHBG levels are typically raised during pregnancy. The levels usually decrease after the birth of a child.
4. You may have to pay for this test depending on the place where it is conducted, the normal range values may differ from one lab to another.
What causes low SHBG and who’s at risk?
1. An individual with low SHBG levels is more likely to develop the following factors:
- Weight gain
- Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance
- The hypothyroid condition
- Disease-associated with Cushing
- Fatty liver disease in non-alcoholics
- The overproduction of growth hormones in adults is called acromegaly
- Usage of androgen steroid
2. Prior to puberty, men and women have higher levels of SHBG than in adulthood; however, SHBG levels decrease after puberty. The level of SHBG in adulthood remains constant.
3. The SHBG levels in a man increase with age. During puberty, a man may produce testosterone levels that are higher, and as the man ages, he may produce less testosterone. There is less information on SHBG levels in women as they age and go through menopause.
4. The high androgen levels that are characteristic of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may result in low SHBG levels and insulin resistance, obesity, and excess androgen production.
5. Furthermore, research suggests low SHBG levels may also be associated with the development of type 2 diabetes in women. SHBG levels are also believed to be linked to obesity.
How To Lower SHBG?
Taking SHBG reduces testosterone production. The fact that testosterone can increase athletic performance and does naturally decrease with age may be a reason why some people would want to lower their SHBG levels. Please seek medical advice before attempting any lifestyle or supplement changes aimed at lowering SHBG levels.
1) Dietary Changes
- According to a study of over 1,500 men, high-protein diets were associated with a decrease in blood SHBG levels.
- One cup of red wine a day reduced blood levels of SHBG in women who participated in a clinical trial. White wine had no effect.
2) Supplements
- Studies have found that the following supplements decrease SHBG production and/or reduce its interaction with sex hormones, though further research is needed to confirm these findings:
- Boron [97, 98]
- Magnesium [99, 100]
- Calcium [101]
- Zinc [101, 102]
- Vitamin D [103]
- Fish oil (or any other polyunsaturated fatty acid supplements) [104]
- Tongkat Ali [105]
Which Drugs That Lower SHBG Levels?
- It is important to know that we are not recommending any of these drugs with the writing of this section. What we are doing is simply describing the available information.
Many drugs have unwanted side effects and are more complex medicines that should not be taken without a physician’s prescription.
If you take any medications, speak with your doctor.
- In several human trials, glucocorticoids used to treat inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and allergies decreased SHBG levels:
What Can You Do To Increase Your SHBG Levels?
- In order to treat low SHBG, you need to determine what the cause is. This will include taking care of any conditions that underlie the problem.
- If necessary, your doctor will explain your SHBG results and the treatment options available to you. Please follow your doctor’s recommendations whenever possible.
SHBG levels may be elevated by a number of factors including:
1. Get regular exercise
The clinical trial randomized to the treatment group
One study identified moderate-intensity aerobic exercise as an effective method to increase SHBG and DHT in sedentary men aged 40-75. No other androgens were affected by these exercises in this group. There is evidence that exercise can increase SHBG levels in a large study conducted in a select population. Those studied were postmenopausal women, overweight women, and sedentary women. During the yearlong exercise intervention, 178 minutes of aerobic exercise were performed each week.
2. You should drink coffee
Higher SHBG levels are associated with the daily consumption of two or more cups of regular caffeinated coffee.
3. Utilize certain forms of oral contraception
In women with PCOS who took certain combined oral contraceptives for three months to one year, the levels of SHBG increased.
4. Reduce your sugar consumption and increase your fiber intake
Scientists have found that men over the age of forty who consume high fiber levels have lower levels of SHBG, whereas men who consume high protein levels have higher ones. Researchers said, however, that their findings were different from those of previous studies.
5. Conducting research
A recent study looked at the effects of the diet of postmenopausal women on their SHBG levels. The researchers found that by combining low sugar and high fiber with low glycemic load and glycemic index diets, SHBG levels may rise. More research should be conducted on this relationship.
6. Lose weight
In other research, it has been shown that obese children can have significant increases in SHBG levels when they lose weight.
7. Supplements can be beneficial
Dietary supplements and herbal supplements are claimed to increase testosterone by lowering SHBG levels. Some of them may not be merited with absolute certainty. There are no regulations governing supplements, which means that supplement manufacturers can make untrue claims.
Supplements may contain ingredients that increase the risk of side effects, interact with prescription medicines, or aggravate underlying health problems. Your physician should be consulted before you begin taking a new supplement. He or she can inform you of the risks and benefits of the product.
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