What role does SHBG play in gut health?

SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin) primarily regulates the bioavailability of sex hormones like testosterone and estradiol. Its direct role in gut health is not well established. Indirectly, low SHBG is linked to insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and low-grade inflammation—conditions that can impair gut barrier function and alter the microbiome. Conversely, gut dysbiosis may influence SHBG via inflammatory signaling. However, most evidence is observational and mechanistic; no robust clinical trials confirm a causal gut–SHBG axis. MyBody-X tests include SHBG in hormone panels but do not assess gut health. Caveat: SHBG alone is not a validated marker for gut health; interpretation requires clinical context.