Testosterone (SHBG) Sex Hormone Binding Globulin Test- need info please

[caphill]

My endo requested that I have a morning blood draw today to measure testosterone levels again.  

My last draw (a week ago) gave a reading of 225 (reference range is: 240 - 830 ng/dl)  That is quite low I'm told and perhaps points to another sign of hypothyroidism.

This morning's test was listed as an (SHBG) Sex Hormone Binding Globulin test. (I have no idea what this is.) My results were:

testosterone: 306 ng/dL  (reference range unknown)

ALBUMIN 4.6 g/dL  (reference range unknown)

Anyone have any ide what they are measuring and what the reference ranges might be for these?

Thanks in advance.

(My earlier posting of last week will give needed background if you would like to see it):

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Thyroid-Disorders/Hypothyroid-Wish-I-knew-WHAT-I-have/show/1095874

[BOBBOBBOBBOB]

Albumin:
Normal Adult Range: 3.2 to 5.0 g/dl
Optimal Adult Reading: about 4.1 g/dl or so

Testosterone (serum)
Normal Adult Male Range: 300 to 1000 ng/dL
(This depends on which lab ran your test)

The albumin level is most likely used as a reference to your other test results (aka if your albumin level is low and so is your testosterone level, you might have normal testosterone production, it's just that you are starving so you can't make as much), it is a general protein that's present in large amount, produced by the liver, and circulating in the blood.

For the SHBG, you should know that there are 3 testosterone terms that is relevant.
(A) Total testosterone level
(B) Active/free testosterone level
(C) Inactive testosterone level (testosterone that is bound to SHBG, rendering it inactive).
That is to say, if your total testosterone level is normal but your SHBG level is too high, then you might have a problem, whereas if your testosterone level is low but your SHBG level is also low then you are not in big trouble.  Your doctor probably ordered it to see how much "useful" testosterone you are producing.

Ask your doctor if you are concerned, I'm pretty sure he'll be happy to answer it, if you would like to read more about testosterone, see link below

http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/shbg/test.html

[caphill]

Interesting- My first Testosterone draws were done in the afternoon right after my endo visit on  11/3.  They came in at 225 ng/dl and 305 (range- 240 - 830 ng/dl) on two different tests.  My morning blood draw a week later showed it elevated to 334.  

Does this mean that a morning draw shows the optimal amount (the most you have all day) and that it just goes downhill after that?  

[Spycho]

Testerosterone is best tested for in the afternoon, have the Dr. double check the testing protocol.

[stella5349]

I really can't tell you what each one is here. Maybe since the first test came out low - they moved more into details??

sorry -

[caphill]

I forgot to add these other test results to my last posting:

testosterone: 306 ng/dL  (reference range unknown)

ALBUMIN 4.6 g/dL  (reference range unknown)

SEX HORM BIND GLOB 19 nmol/L  (reference range unknown)

TESTOSTERONE,FREE 58.1 pg/mL  (reference range unknown)

TESTOSTERONE, BIOAV 122.1 ng/dL  (reference range unknown)