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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 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

 

Critical Values

Not applicable

CPT Codes

84270

LOINC Codes

TBD

Volume

Preferred Volume: 0.5 mL

Minimum Volume: 0.2 mL

Specimen Stability

Storage Temperature

Stability

Room Temperature

Not stable

Refrigerated

3 days

Frozen

1 months

 

Collection Instructions

Collect specimen per standard laboratory collection procedures. 

Test Components

Not applicable

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)

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.

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

Synonyms/Keyword Search

Testosterone (Te) Binding Globulin

Last Review Date

4/16/2025