Sex Hormone Binding Globulin

Does anyone else have elevated SHBG level? I have high level and am having problems getting enough free estrogen. Does anyone have any info on this problem? I also have hypertension.

Hi Bennie,
Are you on oral estrogen? The orals have to go through the liver and seeing as SHBG is a protein manufactured in the liver the orals can actually increase it (not sure of the mechanism for this). This can give rise to the problem you have. Some women find that a patch, creme or gel works better than orals in your case, as they by-pass the liver. *Worthy of note here is that SHBG also binds testosterone - so your sex life may improve by using another method if you have a high concentration of SHBG.

Lily

My sense of it is exactly as Lily said. I'm not sure how hypertension would play into it, but I think trying a patch or cream would be a good idea. Of course, normal is only 1% free estrogen, 99% bound. The other thing I think I've encountered is the idea that ethynl estradiol may bind with albumin instead of SHBG, but I'm not as clear on this as I am Lily's suggestion.

I was on oral estrace for 2 years, until last May, then went to patches, and now to cream. Blood level is 215, but Dr. says saliva level still too low.