Why does the body need GSBG?
In the human body, testosterone circulates, mainly in a bound form, in conjunction with GHPS, less often, with albumin. Similar variations in the binding of SHBG affect the concentration of testosterone in the blood.
The level of synthesis, directly SHGG, depends on the concentration of sex hormones. So, increasing the level of estrogen increases its synthesis. Therefore, the content of this hormone in the blood of women is twice as high as that of men. Together with the decrease in the production of estradiol, the content of SHBG in the blood of women decreases.
How is the content of SHBG determined in women?
Sometimes women who are assigned to the analysis SHGG know what it is, and how to decipher its results - have no idea. First of all, it is necessary to know what level of SHBG should be normal in women. It should immediately be noted that its concentration in the blood is unstable, and depends on many factors. Its increase or decrease may be noted in pathological conditions.
The change in the level of this hormone is observed as the age increases. Thus, in women:
- 8-10 years - 26-128 nmol / l;
- 10-12 - 16-112 nmol / l;
- 12-14 years - 19-89 nmol / l;
- 14-60 years - 18-114 nmol / l.
Also for the diagnosis of diseases are often used, the so-called IST (free testosterone index). It is expressed in the ratio of total testosterone in the human body to SHGG. Thus, in women this index varies between 0.8-11%, in men it is 14.8-95%.
Why the level of SHBG in the blood of women can be increased?
Often there is a phenomenon where the level of SHBG in women in the blood is increased. First of all, it can be caused by:
- an increase in the concentration of estrogens in the blood of a woman;
- hyperthyroid condition - observed in the pathology of the thyroid gland;
- hepatitis;
- HIV infection;
- reception of hormonal contraceptives, most of which contains estrogens.
Because of what is the decrease in the level of SHBG in the blood?
In those cases when SHBG in women is lowered, they speak about the development of pathology. In most cases this is:
- nephrotic syndrome (disruption of the excretory system);
- increased levels of androgens in the blood - hyperadromia ;
- diabetes mellitus ;
- acromegaly;
- Cushing's disease;
- increased prolactin levels in the blood;
- polycystic ovarian syndrome;
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- medications, in particular: Danazol, Somatostatin, as well as medications containing androgens and glucocorticoids.
How to control the level of SHBG?
In order to determine the level of SHBG in the body of a woman, blood sampling is carried out. The following conditions must be observed:
The analysis is carried out on an empty stomach, in the morning. - 72 hours before the procedure, it is necessary to cancel the intake of all hormonal drugs.
- Abstain from sexual intercourse.
Usually the result of the analysis is already known after a day. At the same time, its decoding should be carried out exclusively by a doctor. Thus, knowing that this is SHGG, and for what it is carried out, a woman should not panic after receiving the result of the analysis, and in no case should she make independent conclusions, but she will certainly seek advice from a gynecologist.