Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) is a protein that binds to testosterone and estradiol in the blood, regulating their availability for use by the body. High or low levels of SHBG can affect the availability of these hormones and cause symptoms such as decreased libido or infertility.
Alanine is a gluconeogenic amino acid that can promote insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is associated with lower SHBG levels.
Hua, X., Li, M., Pan, F., et al.. Inverse Relationship between Hepatic Steatosis and Alanine Aminotransferase with Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin in Men. Scientific Reports (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-15232-9
Hua, X., Li, M., Pan, F., et al.. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is an influencing factor for the association of SHBG with metabolic syndrome in diabetes patients. Scientific Reports (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-15232-9
Cortisol, a glucocorticoid stress hormone, suppresses SHBG production in the liver. Chronically elevated cortisol is linked to lower SHBG levels.
M. A. Ganong, J. A. Knecht, and D. A. Haskell. Stress Induced Cortisol Release Depresses The Secretion of Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG) in Women. Journal of Women’s Health Issues and Care (2023). https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/11795514221145841
C. L. Mejía-Rodríguez, M. A. Martínez-Abundis, and J. J. Galaviz-Hernández. Plasma sex hormone-binding globulin, corticosteroid-binding globulin and cortisol in overweight subjects who develop impaired fasting glucose: a 3-year prospective study. Hormones and Metabolic Research (2009). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20354921/
M. A. Ganong, J. A. Knecht, and D. A. Haskell. Stress Induced Cortisol Release Depresses The Secretion of Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG) in Women. Journal of Women’s Health Issues and Care (2023). https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/11795514221145841
S. M. Wang, S. L. Zonderman, and A. A. Kaplan. Associations of cortisol/testosterone and cortisol/sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) ratios with atherosclerosis in a U.S. population. Endocrine Connections (2016). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5819892/
DHEA-S is a precursor to androgens and estrogens. Higher DHEA-S levels are associated with lower SHBG, as SHBG binds to and regulates sex hormone levels.
J. S. Kolla, S. E. Rusyniak, A. M. Rusyniak, A. M. Rusyniak. “Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, free testosterone, and sex hormone-binding globulin in boys and girls with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder”. Psychoneuroendocrinology (2018). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306453018310382
Glycine is involved in glutathione synthesis and has anti-inflammatory effects. Low glycine may promote inflammation and oxidative stress, leading to reduced SHBG.
