Sex Hormone Binding Globulin [SHBG]

[James23]

Re: Calling out the low SHBG guys

How many folks had low or low normal before TRT?

Men who had normal or high SHBG before TRT are healthy. Those afflicted with low SHBG always have low SHBG, TRT or not. That's the major issue with the disorder -- the body does not adapt binding protein expression to fluctuating levels of hormones, making effective TRT near impossible.

 

[hardrlz]

Re: Calling out the low SHBG guys

What do you think about an anti-inflammatory diet ?

 

[James23]

Re: Calling out the low SHBG guys

An anti-inflammatory diet somewhat worked for me.

I was able to bring SHBG up to 19 nmol/L, the highest it has ever been in my life, while not on TRT.

 

[hardrlz]

Re: Calling out the low SHBG guys

So did u continue with it and then try trt ?

 

[James23]

Re: Calling out the low SHBG guys

So did u continue with it and then try trt ?

No. I lost 20 lbs. of muscle from being off of TRT and dropped to 150 lbs. at 6'2". Since I was underweight, I immediately went on a weight gaining diet until I was back to 175ish and have remained on this 3,000 calorie diet to try to gain strength. High fat and protein diets are mildly SHBG suppressive.

 

[idmd]

Re: Calling out the low SHBG guys

No. I lost 20 lbs. of muscle from being off of TRT and dropped to 150 lbs. at 6'2". Since I was underweight, I immediately went on a weight gaining diet until I was back to 175ish and have remained on this 3,000 calorie diet to try to gain strength. High fat and protein diets are mildly SHBG suppressive.

Look at it this way...your low SHBG sucks but I'm 3" taller and 100lbs heavier and I eat ONE THOUSAND calories less than you per day and at this point I'm NOT losing any more weight.

We all have conundrums in this life....

 

[James23]

Re: Calling out the low SHBG guys

To be fair, the type of conundrums that we "all" experience in life are probably not inclusive of teenaged erectile dysfunction and stunted muscular growth that lasts indefinitely for ones lifetime, probably only to get even worse with age. The majority of people who hear about it can't even comprehend that it could be possible.

People gaining weight... yes, that's a typical conundrum, even more typical than premature balding.

 

[hardrlz]

Re: Calling out the low SHBG guys

Yea premature balding is a pain in the ass , i see that some people on hairloss forums that are prematurely balding also have low SHBG and are discussing this subject. I believe that if you eat right ( anti inflammatory diet ) and exercise, eventually your body will heal itself, and even if your low T is primary and caused by testicular dysfunction, then when you add TRT you will feel at least some effects.

 

[Spyder]

Re: Calling out the low SHBG guys

I have been on TRT for 4 yrs and always have had low SHBG and it sucks. I have recently switched back to using cyp but instead of taking it IM I am now taking it subq. It has only been 2 weeks but the last 2 mornings I have had morning wood. I heard that switching to subq could help with SHBG not sure how true this is or not but I will be having blood work done in a couple of weeks and it will interesting to see what my numbers look like. If it has not helped I am looking at adding low dose of MAST. I have heard from others that this helps out a lot. I know it is not an answer to why but if helps why not.

 

[James23]

Re: Calling out the low SHBG guys

I have been on TRT for 4 yrs and always have had low SHBG and it sucks. I have recently switched back to using cyp but instead of taking it IM I am now taking it subq. It has only been 2 weeks but the last 2 mornings I have had morning wood. I heard that switching to subq could help with SHBG not sure how true this is or not but I will be having blood work done in a couple of weeks and it will interesting to see what my numbers look like. If it has not helped I am looking at adding low dose of MAST. I have heard from others that this helps out a lot. I know it is not an answer to why but if helps why not.

Are you prone to hair loss? Mast could give you trouble in that area, especially compounded with low SHBG.

 

[Spyder]

Re: Calling out the low SHBG guys

Hair has been pretty good since starting TRT.

 

[lxm]

Re: Calling out the low SHBG guys

I had been on TRT for a period of 7 months. Initially I responded well within a 2 month period and most of the symptoms were revealed. After this 'honeymoon' period my symptoms started to return and TRT seemed ineffective. My Endo consultant took me off TRT.

He has stated that there is a consensus within the UK NHS's endocrine society that male patients with low SHGB generally do not respond to testosterone (& replacement therapy)

He explained the whole mechanics of patients with low shgb having good or higher levels of free testosterone, but borderline or low levels of serum total testosterone... and that the low shgb is either genetic or due to a primary (undiagnosed?) condition/ilness/diesease.

(FYI my endo is putting my low T down as a secondary issue, a symptom in itself and looking for a primary issue with my health)

 

[Dr JIM]

Re: Calling out the low SHBG guys

The etiologic basis for low SHBG being due to ANOTHER organic process is one of the FEW comments in this entire thread which seem based on sound medical evidence!

 

[jonyoung]

Re: Calling out the low SHBG guys

my SHBG is 12nmol/l out of a range of 10-50

Should my dr being doing something about it? I met with him for the first time today and was pretty pleased and was prescribed armidex along with clomid which I've already been on for quite some time

 

[Dr JIM]

Re: Calling out the low SHBG guys

JY
Why do you insist on asking complicated medical questions which require a thorough understanding of your PMH, Physical Exam, Lab reports etc.

I mean do you REALLY expect an educated and/or an informed response with these one liners.

That's analogous to the question; my car won't start, tell me why !!!

Ask your DOCTOR the question and thereafter have him EXPLAIN his therapeutic decisions either verbally or thru directing you to a link, website or articles.

When you have done this if questions remain I'll be more than happy to aid your understanding,

Jim.

 

[James23]

Re: Calling out the low SHBG guys

I had been on TRT for a period of 7 months. Initially I responded well within a 2 month period and most of the symptoms were revealed. After this 'honeymoon' period my symptoms started to return and TRT seemed ineffective. My Endo consultant took me off TRT.

He has stated that there is a consensus within the UK NHS's endocrine society that male patients with low SHGB generally do not respond to testosterone (& replacement therapy)

He explained the whole mechanics of patients with low shgb having good or higher levels of free testosterone, but borderline or low levels of serum total testosterone... and that the low shgb is either genetic or due to a primary (undiagnosed?) condition/ilness/diesease.

(FYI my endo is putting my low T down as a secondary issue, a symptom in itself and looking for a primary issue with my health)

Finally, an intelligent doctor.

Unfortunately, the chances of uncovering the etiology of the low SHBG are slim to none. If he has done baseline labwork, then nothing stood out about your thyroid, liver, kidneys, adrenals or insulin sensitivity. If inflammation markers are discovered, then you have a long road ahead in determining where it comes from.

I have ruled out almost every known cause of low SHBG and yet I still have low SHBG.

Regardless, keep us posted regarding what tests he performs to get to the root of the low SHBG.

 

[lxm]

Re: Calling out the low SHBG guys

Finally, an intelligent doctor.

Unfortunately, the chances of uncovering the etiology of the low SHBG are slim to none. If he has done baseline labwork, then nothing stood out about your thyroid, liver, kidneys, adrenals or insulin sensitivity. If inflammation markers are discovered, then you have a long road ahead in determining where it comes from.

I have ruled out almost every known cause of low SHBG and yet I still have low SHBG.

Regardless, keep us posted regarding what tests he performs to get to the root of the low SHBG.

I was initially seen by a junior registrar endo, I was given a TRT trial from him due to my complaint of low T symptoms and 'borderline' testosterone serum levels, he carried out no further investigation and seemed to show little knowledge of the importance of low SHGB and high Estrogen. I requested to be seen by a senior consultant.

As said above, this consultant has stopped my T therapy and is going through the process of trying to identify a possible 'primary' condition that is causing the low T and low SHGB...

Dexamethasone suppression came back as normal.

Now that my HTPA has recovered, my doctor has requested a full bloodwork set to get baseline numbers a follows ;

Group tests
-urea & electrolytes
-liver group
-bone group
-glucose

others
-testosterone (serum)
-SHGB
-LH & FSH
-E2
-Prolactin
-DHEA
-CRP
-Feritin
-Andiare ? Andiore? Andire? Ardiare? (cannot read handwriting)

Haematology
-Full blood count
-PV

Immunology
-ANA
-ANCA
-C3 & C4

Maybe I should start a new thread and update with my low shgb investigations?

 

[hardrlz]

Re: Calling out the low SHBG guys

Keep us updated here as well

As for me i cant believe i went to the best andrologist in my country and he told me that low SHBG is good ( and all the same old crap about low SHBG = higher free test so better for me ). He told me to stop TRT for a month and then ordered some hormone tests which all turned out to be perfect except my clinically low testosterone, which he thought was a momental condition and will improve by itself..

My Hba1c was quite high 5.8 (4.8 - 5.9) could this mean a potential future insulin resistance and could this be connected with the low SHBG ?

Also i read in some places that gluten sensitivity can also cause low SHBG and low Testosterone, has anyone heard anything like that ?

 

[idmd]

Re: Calling out the low SHBG guys

Keep us updated here as well
My Hba1c was quite high 5.8 (4.8 - 5.9) could this mean a potential future insulin resistance and could this be connected with the low SHBG ?

Ding...ding....ding!

 

[hardrlz]

Re: Calling out the low SHBG guys

The doctor said it was in the range so it was normal How should i interpret it ?