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Test Code SHBG Sex Hormone Binding Globulin

Specimen and Container/Tube

Specimen Type: Serum

Preferred Specimen: Red Top

Other Acceptable specimens: None

Specimen Stability

Storage Temperature

Stability

Room Temperature

Not stable

Refrigerated

3 days

Frozen

1 months

 

Collection Instructions

Collect specimen per standard laboratory collection procedures. 

Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions

UCMC Onsite Instructions: 

  • Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately. 

 

UCMC Offsite and UC MedLab Outreach Instructions: 

  • Samples should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.
  • Centrifuge specimens at >2500 x g for 10 minutes at room temperature.
  • Aliquot sample into plastic transport tube containing a minimum of 0.2 mL of specimen. 
  • Whole blood/unspun samples greater than 6 hours will be rejected.
  • Samples should be sent refrigerated. 

Rejection Criteria

  • Common specimen rejected situations include: incorrect specimen type, insufficient volume, missing or incomplete specimen identifiers, incorrect specimen transport, or specimens outside stability limits. 
  • Specimens that are clotted or grossly hemolyzed.
  • Specimens that were transported unspun/whole blood and draw time is greater than 6 hours

Reference Values

Test

Age

Sex

Reference Range

Sex Hormone Binding Globulin

0 – 1 year

Female

Not applicable

Sex Hormone Binding Globulin

1 – 10 years

Female

28 – 124 nmol/L

Sex Hormone Binding Globulin

10 – 40 years

Female

20 – 100 nmol/L

Sex Hormone Binding Globulin

0 – 1 year

Male

Not applicable

Sex Hormone Binding Globulin

1 – 10 years

Male

28 – 124 nmol/L

Sex Hormone Binding Globulin

> 10 years

Male

10 – 80 nmol/L

 

Turnaround Time

Turnaround times are relative to the time the specimen is received in the test laboratory. 

 

STAT Turnaround Time: 1 hour

Routine Turnaround Time: up to 4 hours

Testing Schedule:  24/7

Clinical Indications

Measurement of SHBG can be an important indicator of an excessive/chronic androgenic action where androgen levels are normal, but where clinical symptoms would seem to indicate androgen in excess. SHBG is a useful supplementary parameter in the determination of androgen where a relatively high concentration of free androgen (e.g. testosterone) is suspected.

Methodology

Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) (Roche Diagnostics)

CPT Codes

84270

LOINC Codes

TBD

Synonyms/Keyword Search

Testosterone (Te) Binding Globulin

Last Review Date

4/16/2025

Critical Values

Not applicable

Volume

Preferred Volume: 0.5 mL

Minimum Volume: 0.2 mL

Test Components

Not applicable

Additional Information

This test may be affected by biotin interference. Patients on high dose biotin (5mg/day or more) should not have samples drawn until at least 24 hours after the last biotin administration.