01Markers · Hormones
SHBG
Sex hormone-binding globulin
A protein made by the liver that binds testosterone and estradiol in the blood. Hormone bound to SHBG is not freely available to tissues.
- Measured in
- Blood (serum)
- Units
- nmol/L
- Also called
- sex steroid-binding globulin
AWhat moves SHBG
8 of 27 studied
Moves it5
Human studies found a change. The grade reflects the studies behind it, from A (strongest) to D.
HIITRaisesGrade A
HIIT raises SHBG.
Meta-analysis or review · 2 studies linked
- High-intensity Interval Training and Mindfulness Breathing Induce Hormonal, Metabolic, and Anticarcinogenic Effects in Obese Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial (2025)
- Effectiveness of exercise interventions on androgen and sex hormone-binding globulin levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2025)
BerberineRaisesGrade B
Berberine raises SHBG.
Human trials · 3 studies linked
- The use of berberine for women with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing IVF treatment. (2014)
- A clinical study on the short-term effect of berberine in comparison to metformin on the metabolic characteristics of women with polycystic ovary syndrome. (2012)
- Berberine Phospholipid Is an Effective Insulin Sensitizer and Improves Metabolic and Hormonal Disorders in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A One-Group Pretest-Post-Test Explanatory Study. (2021)
MagnesiumRaisesGrade B
Magnesium raises SHBG.
Small effect · 1 study linked
Abu-Zaid 2025 MA (PMID:40005397): SHBG increase significant in PCOS; mechanism via hepatic insulin sensitisation.
Zone 2 cardioRaisesGrade C
Zone 2 cardio raises SHBG.
Human trials · 1 study linked
NACLowersGrade C
NAC lowers SHBG.
Human trials · Small effect · 0 studies linked
This result is graded, but no study is linked to it yet. Treat it as unconfirmed.
Studied, no change3
Studies looked and found no meaningful change. That is a result, not missing data.
Vitamin D3No changeGrade A
Studies of Vitamin D3 found no change in SHBG.
Meta-analysis or review · 4 studies linked
- Impact of Vitamin D (2025)
- Effects of vitamin D on sex steroids, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone to luteinizing hormone ratio in 307 infertile men. (2024)
- Androgens and hirsutism score of overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome improved after vitamin D treatment: A randomized placebo controlled clinical trial. (2021)
- Evaluation of the effect of vitamin D3 supplementation on quantitative and qualitative parameters of spermograms and hormones in infertile men: A Randomized controlled trial. (2020)
L-carnitineNo changeGrade A
Studies of L-carnitine found no change in SHBG.
Meta-analysis or review · 2 studies linked
4 studies in corpus; insufficient dedicated effect data.
- Comparison of nutritional supplements in improving glycolipid metabolism and endocrine function in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. (2023)
- The effect of L-carnitine supplementation on insulin resistance, sex hormone-binding globulin and lipid profile in overweight/obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized clinical trial. (2022)
ResveratrolNo changeGrade B
Studies of Resveratrol found no change in SHBG.
Human trials · 3 studies linked
7 corpus studies. Insufficient extracted RCT data.
- Effect of resveratrol on menstrual cyclicity, hyperandrogenism and metabolic profile in women with PCOS. (2021)
- Effect of Resveratrol Content in Red Wine on Circulating Sex Hormone‐Binding Globulin: Lessons from a Pilot Clinical Trial (2022)
- A pilot clinical study of resveratrol in postmenopausal women with high body mass index: effects on systemic sex steroid hormones. (2014)
Not studied19
No usable human study has measured SHBG with these. A gap is not a negative result: nobody has looked.
AshwagandhaCollagenCreatineFinnish saunaIronL-theanineLion's maneMelatoninMilk thistleNAD+Omega-3PQQRed yeast riceTaurineUbiquinol (CoQ10)Vitamin CVitamin EVitamin K2Zinc
BThe molecule
Sex hormone-binding globulin with dihydrotestosterone
Coral: dihydrotestosterone, a testosterone metabolite, in its binding pocket. Amber: calcium.
Structure: PDB 1D2S · X-ray, 1.55 Å · Grishkovskaya et al., EMBO J 2000. Rendered from atomic coordinates in Blender; 2,696 atoms, about 7.7 nm across. Highlight source.