Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Changing Your Diet
• Method 2 of 3: Consult your doctor
• Method 3 of 3: Taking dietary supplements
• Tips
• Warnings

Sex hormone binding globulin, or SHBG, is a protein made by the liver. SHBG binds three sex hormones (testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, estrogen) and carries them through the blood. If the doctor wants you to get tested for SHBG, then most likely it is because of testosterone. Testosterone levels that are too low can be harmful for men, and too high can lead to problems in women. Excessively high testosterone levels are also harmful to men. If you need to lower your SHBG levels, talk to your doctor and find out what changes to make to your diet. You can take dietary supplements to lower SHBG, but be sure to check with your doctor first.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Changing Your Diet

1. 1 Get enough protein. If you have too high levels of SHBG, then a lack of protein in the diet could lead to this. Talk to your doctor and find out how much protein you need to consume.
   • The average adult needs to consume 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. For example, if you weigh 75 kg, you need to consume 60 g of protein per day. Choose healthy sources of protein.
   • Excessive amounts of protein can harm your body, but if you exercise regularly, you will need more protein. Be sure to check with your doctor before making significant changes to your diet.
2. 2 Reduce your alcohol intake. Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages can lead to an increase in SHBG levels. Too much alcohol will definitely prevent you from lowering it. Moderate alcohol consumption means that a woman can drink no more than 1 serving a day, and a man can drink no more than 2 servings.
   • One serving of alcohol is, for example, 360 ml of beer, or 150 ml of wine, or 45 ml of a strong alcoholic beverage like vodka.
3. 3 Reduce the amount of caffeine you consume. Excessive amounts of caffeine can limit the body's ability to lower SHBG levels. If you enjoy too much coffee in the morning, try cutting back on it. It is believed that it is safe for adults to consume no more than 400 mg of caffeine per day. This amount corresponds to 4 cups of coffee.
   • Consider starting your morning with a cup of green tea rather than coffee.
4. 4 Replace simple carbohydrates with complex ones. Scientists are still debating how carbohydrate intake affects SHBG levels. Some advise reducing your carbohydrate intake altogether, while others are promoting a diet high in complex carbohydrates. It's safe to assume that switching from simple carbs to complex carbs will have a positive impact on your health.
   • Reduce your intake of carbohydrates such as white rice, potatoes, and white bread.
   • Choose foods that are high in fiber and low on the glycemic index, like quinoa, sweet potatoes, and whole grain breads.
   • Check with your doctor before making significant changes to your diet.

Method 2 of 3: Consult your doctor

1. 1 Learn about the symptoms of high SHBG levels. High SHBG levels usually indicate low testosterone levels. Symptoms include decreased libido, erectile dysfunction (in men), hot flashes, and loss of body hair. In addition, a person may also experience impaired concentration, insomnia, mood swings and fatigue.
2. 2 Ask your doctor for a referral for testing. Don't worry about having to undergo an invasive procedure: you will have a routine blood test. Since testosterone levels peak in the morning, you will need to arrive at the lab sometime between 7 and 10 a.m.
3. 3 Interpret the result. SHBG levels can be misleading. If your SHBG levels are high, it doesn't necessarily mean that you don't have enough free testosterone. Check with your doctor to find out what a particular test result means. Your doctor may refer you to retest. Listen carefully when he talks about the results, and don't be afraid to ask questions.
4. 4 Ask your doctor if you should reduce your medication. Certain medications have been shown to increase SHBG levels. If your doctor advises you to lower your SHBG levels, go through the list of medications you are taking together. Drugs that can increase SHBG levels include:
   • raloxifene;
   • tamoxifen;
   • spironolactone;
   • metformin.
5. 5 Work with your doctor to develop a course of treatment. There is ongoing debate over whether it is safe and effective to treat low testosterone levels. Sometimes your doctor may advise you not to do anything. If he does recommend action, discuss with him what changes need to be made to your diet and what nutritional supplements you should start taking. If he recommends medication, be sure to ask about side effects and possible reactions.

Method 3 of 3: Taking dietary supplements

1. 1 Take boron. 10 mg of boron per day will help reduce SHBG levels. Choose an ionic boron supplement for easier absorption. Always check with your doctor before taking a supplement.
   • Boron will also help relieve inflammation.
   • Many sites advise taking nutritional supplements, but there is still very little scientific evidence to support their effectiveness.
2. 2 Take vitamin D to lower SHBG levels. Adults should take 15 micrograms (600 IU) of vitamin D per day, but this may be higher for some. This supplement can also help people with thyroid disease, high blood pressure, and many other medical conditions. Be sure to check with your doctor to find out what dose of the vitamin you should take.
   • Although some health websites advise taking vitamin D to lower SHBG levels, this has not been proven by the medical community.
3. 3 Consider taking fish oil. Because fish oil is weakly estrogenic, it can act as an antiestrogen and reduce SHBG levels. There is controversy over whether fish oil is really that effective. If you would like to try this supplement, ask your doctor about how to take it and in what dosage. Don't just take a supplement.
   • Many doctors do not believe that fish oil is beneficial.
4. 4 Try magnesium capsules. Some research suggests a link between magnesium supplementation, SHBG levels, and testosterone. When choosing a supplement, give preference to magnesium citrate or magnesium glycinate. Be sure to check with your doctor as the dosage for different people can vary significantly. Magnesium supplements should be taken with meals.
   • Do not chew the tablet, but swallow it whole.

Tips

• Ask your doctor what the different SHBG levels are and how to interpret them.
• Do not make major changes to your diet or lifestyle without first consulting your doctor.

Warnings

• Note that low circulating levels of SHBG have been linked to metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, and obesity. Therefore, if you have low SHBG levels, it is important to treat it.