Testosterone/SHBG Ratio

A high Testosterone/SHBG ratio means that there's a larger amount of 'free' or usable testosterone in your body. This could be due to a variety of reasons. For instance, you might be producing more testosterone than usual, which can happen in conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women or testicular tumors in men. Alternatively, your body might be producing less SHBG, which means more testosterone is left unbound and available for use. Certain medications, like steroids or thyroid hormones, can also decrease SHBG levels. Lastly, lifestyle factors like obesity or high insulin levels can also lead to a high Testosterone/SHBG ratio, as they can both increase testosterone production and decrease SHBG levels.

Symptoms of a high Testosterone/SHBG ratio could include increased muscle mass, excessive hair growth, acne, irregular menstrual cycles in women, and an enlarged prostate in men.

A low Testosterone/SHBG ratio means that there's not much 'free' or usable testosterone in your body. This could be due to a variety of reasons. For instance, you might have low testosterone production, which can be caused by conditions like hypogonadism or certain genetic disorders. Alternatively, your body might be producing too much SHBG, which binds to testosterone and makes it unavailable for use. This can happen due to factors like liver disease or hyperthyroidism. Certain medications, such as anticonvulsants or hormone therapies, can also increase SHBG levels. So, a low Testosterone/SHBG Ratio could indicate an imbalance in your hormonal health due to these or other factors.

Symptoms of a low Testosterone/SHBG ratio could include fatigue, decreased sex drive, muscle weakness, and loss of bone density. In men, it may also lead to erectile dysfunction, while in women, it could result in irregular menstrual cycles.