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Sex Hormone Binding Globulin Blood Test

$55.00 AUD

Got normal testosterone results but still experiencing symptoms that point to a hormonal imbalance, and want to check whether SHBG could be affecting how much active hormone is reaching your tissues?

The SHBG Blood Test measures sex hormone binding globulin, a liver protein that binds to testosterone and oestradiol and controls how much of each hormone is biologically available.

Collection Location
Specimen Type

You will be emailed a referral to take to your local collection centre. If you ever have any questions, we're here to help.

Private health tests

How It Works

Getting your health measured shouldn't be hard! We're here to help you every step of the way.

1
Order a test

Order a test

Order the private test that suits you and your goals. After ordering, you will receive your referral by email.

2
Collect the sample

Collect the sample

Attend one of our 4000+ partner collection centres throughout Australia. Search locations.

3
Receive your results

Receive your results

View all your lab results in your secure health dashboard. Easy!

Overview

Think of SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) as your body's hormone taxi service. Just like a taxi picks up passengers and controls where they can go, SHBG binds to your sex hormones—testosterone and estrogen—and determines how much of them are actually free to work in your body. When you have high SHBG levels, it's like having too many taxis picking up your hormones, leaving fewer available to do their important jobs of maintaining energy, mood, and sexual health. On the flip side, low SHBG means more hormones are running free, which might sound good but can actually cause symptoms of hormone overload.

This test is especially valuable because it explains why you might feel tired, moody, or experience other hormone-related symptoms even when standard hormone tests come back "normal." Your total hormone levels might look fine on paper, but if SHBG is throwing off the balance of what's actually usable, you'll still feel the effects. Since SHBG responds to factors like stress, weight changes, liver health, and insulin levels, testing it gives you and your healthcare provider a clearer picture of what's really happening with your hormonal health—helping you get to the root of symptoms that might otherwise remain a mystery.

Symptoms

Suited to people being investigated for PCOS, androgen excess, or testosterone deficiency where total hormone levels alone may not explain symptoms. Also relevant for those with thyroid conditions, liver disease, or insulin resistance.

Questions

  • SHBG is a carrier protein that binds tightly to testosterone and oestradiol, making them biologically inactive. Only the unbound (free) fraction can enter cells and exert effects.
  • High SHBG means more testosterone is bound and inactive. Low SHBG means more is free and active.
  • Hyperthyroidism, liver disease, eating disorders, advancing age in men, and high-oestrogen states.
  • Insulin resistance, obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypothyroidism, PCOS, and androgen use.
  • Yes. Many combined oral contraceptive pills significantly raise SHBG.
  • Yes. SHBG does not vary significantly across the menstrual cycle.

Dr. Vu Tran
Bloody Good’s Chief Medical Officer

No biomarkers found for this product.

How to prepare

No fasting is required. Eat and drink normally beforehand. No specific cycle timing is needed. Let your practitioner know if you are taking hormonal contraceptives, HRT, thyroid medications, or androgens.

After the test

Share your results with your GP, endocrinologist, or hormonal health practitioner. SHBG is most useful as part of a panel alongside testosterone, oestradiol, thyroid function, and metabolic markers.

Your test results will be available in your private dashboard. If there are any urgent issues, we'll let you know so you can follow up with your health professional.

Understanding results

Results are reported in nanomoles per litre (nmol/L). Reference ranges differ between men and women.

High SHBG reduces the free fraction of testosterone and oestradiol. It is associated with hyperthyroidism, liver disease, anorexia, ageing in men, and high-dose oestrogen use.

Low SHBG increases the free fraction of sex hormones. It is associated with hypothyroidism, obesity, insulin resistance, PCOS, and androgen use.

Testimonials

What Our Customers Say

4.9
Average Rating
5,500+ Customers Tested
250,000+ Individual Biomarkers
A
Adam O. ACT

Simple health checks in my control

I didn't know that private blood tests were an option. Tried this platform as the packages suited what I wanted for a good price. Easy to follow instructions, and super quick results. Platform provides more information than my gp's ever have on the tests and what the results meant. Would like more clinics to be able to test at (specifically Capital Pathology) but there is a decent network. Will continue to use.

The Performance Check
W
Wayne S. NSW

Bloody Good

This is a great service, very helpful support, cheaper than going to the doctor for a blood test

Vitamin D (25-OH)
C
Christopher N. NSW

Quick access to blood tests

BLOODY GOOD is a very efficient route to access blood testing for a visitor outside the Australian health system. It is quick with the necessary referral and documentation, and quick with results. Thank you

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R
Rebecca Y NSW

Great Service!

Fantastic service to deal with, I love the extra explanations for all the tests.

Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c)
O
Olga B. New South Wales

Convenient

Getting a referral was easy. Laverty pathology accepted it. Bloody Good offers an affordable and convenient way to check essential blood markers.

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Marita S. Queensland

Bloody good test

Very comprehensive tests that have given me a good picture of my overall health.

The Bloody Good Test
L
Lukas C. NSW

Quick, easy, hassle free

Excellent service, quick, easy, hassle free, can recommend.

Testosterone Free/Total + SHBG
A
ABDUL S. QLD

Amazingly quick and efficient

Very easy to use. Love that it stores your blood tests.

The Performance Test
A
Andre D. QLD

5 Stars

Efficient and easy to use

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Wayne NSW

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Frequently Asked Questions

Most collection centres accept walk-ins. Some may require a booking - check details when you click on your chosen location.

If your test needs fasting, we’ll include that in your instructions after you order. Fasting usually means no food for 8–12 hours, but water is fine.

Just your pathology referral form (we email it to you)

Of course. Just maybe don’t bring the friend who faints at the sight of blood.

They’re the highly trained professionals who take your blood sample - with a steady hand and a sharp needle. They love blood, but don’t worry… they’re not vampires. Just legends who make blood tests quick, clean, and (almost) painless.

Some of our tests include Urine, Stool, Saliva and more. Each test will have a clear description on what sample you will need to give and instructions on how.