Question 1

quest's calc of free-t is half all others. quest: it figures 2 binding sites per shbg "dimer" & they measure shbg dimers. apparently others don't. huh?

Accepted Answer

Free T: Free t is a calculated value and different laboratories have differing normal range. You can call the lab in question and ask to speak with the pathologist in charge to answer questions about their methods.

Question 2

total t above normal (1100) but free t below normal  because of high shbg. should i take testim? (is total t irrelevant?)

Accepted Answer

Don't know what your: free T value is, but discuss w/doctor. Doubt there is an indication for testosterone replacement but it would depend upon a number of factors and lab results which we don't have available.

Question 3

to compensate for high shbg (causes low free t) use 1testim gel daily. usually raises total t from about 550 to 690. last month total t =1100. error?

Accepted Answer

Not error: When using a testosterone gel, your testosterone level will vary depending on when the blood sample is drawn in relation to when you put on the gel.  Levels peak about 4-6 hrs after putting on the gel.  A level of 1100 would not be unusual if drawn at the peak.

Question 4

shbg test.what is the test for?

Accepted Answer

Hormone testing: Sex hormone binding globulin test is done in association with other tests, usually with testosterone levels. The purpose of shbg test is to fine tune the results of testosterone.

Question 5

if you have normal t levels but high shbg levels, would this mean your ft would be most likely low.?

Accepted Answer

Correct: Shbg binds t with great affinity.  Higher shbg in general means a lower ft for any given level of t.

Question 6

males diabetic, test=817, t-free=236, shbg=20, estrogen=258, biotest=552. does estrogen need to be lowered or can it be left?

Accepted Answer

Testosterone: if you have breast tenderness or pain, then recommend to use anastrozole to lower estrogen

Question 7

is dht derived from total t or free t. that is, does the conversion occur before t is bound to shbg or is it the unbound t that is converted. ?

Accepted Answer

Bioavailable T: Testosterone that is bound to shbg is not biologically active and therefore does not participate in conversion to dht.  Free t and t bound to Albumin are biologically active (bioavailable) and is converted to Dht in various tissues throught the body.  Why do you want to know this?

Question 8

depakote, which i took (1, 000 mg/day) for 20 years, caused very high shbg levels. recently discontinued it. how long before shbg back to normal?

Accepted Answer

Is damage from depak: Depakote usually causes liver problems early in trealment and not 20 years after starting the drug.
Your leukemia and the sprycel (dasatinib) may be the cause of the enzyme elevation. Sprycel (dasatinib) in involved in cyp450 in the liver and may be throwing your liver into trouble. , more likely that the depakote.

Question 9

what does shbg stand for with regard to thyroid resistance?

Accepted Answer

Thyroid: It stands for sex hormone binding globulin. It would relate more to excess testosterone than thyroid hormone.

Question 10

i just had my blood work done. i have a high shbg @83.6. the reference range was 19.3 to 76.4.  what does that mean?

Accepted Answer

See below: All laboratory results need to be interpreted in the clinical context and the doctor who ordered the tests is usually in the best position to do that. Having said that, SHBG result per se is not meaningful. Did you also have testosterone levels done? SHBG levels are used to calculate free testosterone from total level.

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Doctor answers about:

Shbg

A member asked:

Quest's calc of free-t is half all others. quest: it figures 2 binding sites per shbg "dimer" & they measure shbg dimers. apparently others don't. huh?

A member asked:

Total t above normal (1100) but free t below normal because of high shbg. should i take testim? (is total t irrelevant?)

A member asked:

To compensate for high shbg (causes low free t) use 1testim gel daily. usually raises total t from about 550 to 690. last month total t =1100. error?

A member asked:

Shbg test.what is the test for?

A member asked:

If you have normal t levels but high shbg levels, would this mean your ft would be most likely low.?

A member asked:

Males diabetic, test=817, t-free=236, shbg=20, estrogen=258, biotest=552. does estrogen need to be lowered or can it be left?

A member asked:

Is dht derived from total t or free t. that is, does the conversion occur before t is bound to shbg or is it the unbound t that is converted. ?

A member asked:

Depakote, which i took (1, 000 mg/day) for 20 years, caused very high shbg levels. recently discontinued it. how long before shbg back to normal?

A member asked:

What does shbg stand for with regard to thyroid resistance?

A member asked:

I just had my blood work done. i have a high shbg @83.6. the reference range was 19.3 to 76.4. what does that mean?

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