Shbg
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Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) is a protein that binds to sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen, essentially regulating their availability in the body.
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Role in the body: SHBG binds to testosterone and estrogen, transporting them to specific tissues where they are needed. Most of the testosterone in the blood is bound to SHBG or albumin, with only a small fraction being free and active. SHBG ensures a controlled delivery of these hormones to maintain hormonal balance and functions like muscle growth, libido, and overall energy levels 1.
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Impact of oral contraceptives: The choice of synthetic progestins in oral contraception can alter SHBG levels. Higher SHBG levels can increase the risk of blood clots, especially in women predisposed to such conditions 2.
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Testosterone optimization: To improve hormone profiles, particularly testosterone, strategies such as reducing SHBG using supplements like boron can be effective. Lower SHBG levels can increase free testosterone, enhancing energy, libido, and recovery from exercise 3 4.
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Diet and SHBG: Dietary changes can impact SHBG levels. For example, insulin suppresses SHBG, so reducing insulin through diet (like low-carb diets) might inadvertently raise SHBG, potentially lowering free testosterone levels 5.
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Supplements: Supplements like Tongkat Ali (also known as Eurycoma longifolia) can help free up testosterone bound by SHBG, thereby increasing free testosterone. This can have benefits like improved libido and slight anti-estrogenic effects 1.
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Fertility and SHBG: Persistent elevation of SHBG can affect fertility, though temporarily. For instance, women using oral contraceptives may experience elevated SHBG levels even after discontinuation, but fertility typically returns to normal levels after some time 2.
Understanding and managing SHBG levels can be crucial for optimizing hormone-related health parameters.
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