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Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
SHBG, a protein produced by the liver, transports the hormones testosterone (an androgen), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) (an androgen), and estradiol (an estrogen) in the blood as biologically inactive forms. Changes in SHBG levels can affect the amount of hormone used by the body’s tissues. This test measures the level of SHBG in the blood and is most often used to help evaluate a person for testosterone deficiency or excess.
In men, about 45% to 65% of testosterone in the blood is normally bound to SHBG, with the remainder weakly and reversibly bound to albumin (the main protein in the blood). Only about 2% to 3% of testosterone is immediately available to the tissues as free testosterone. Still, testosterone weakly bound to albumin is also bioavailable and can be readily taken up by the body’s tissues.
Slightly more testosterone is bound to SHBG in the blood (66% to 78%) in women than in men. In women, SHBG plays an integral role in regulating the levels of bioavailable male sex hormones (androgens) and estrogens circulating throughout the body. SHBG has a higher affinity for the androgen’s testosterone and DHT, and so with the low SHBG, women may have signs and symptoms related to androgen excess.
A total testosterone test does not distinguish between bound and unbound testosterone but determines the overall testosterone level in the plasma. This test is often sufficient to evaluate a person for excess or deficient testosterone production.
But if the SHBG level is not normal, the total testosterone may not accurately represent the amount of testosterone available to the tissues. An SHBG test may be performed when the signs and symptoms do not correlate with the results of a total testosterone test.
This test measures the level of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in the blood. SHBG is a protein made by the liver. It binds tightly to 3 sex hormones found in both males and females. These hormones are estrogen, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and testosterone. SHBG carries these 3 hormones throughout the blood.
Although SHBG binds 3 hormones, the hormone that’s critical in this test is testosterone. SHBG controls the amount of testosterone that the body tissues can use. Too little testosterone in males and too much testosterone in females can cause problems. The level of SHBG in the blood changes because of factors such as sex and age. It can also change because of obesity, liver disease, and hyperthyroidism.
Statement on Medical Necessity
All ordered tests should be medically necessary for the diagnosis or detection of disease, illness, impairment, symptom, syndrome, or disorder and the results should be used in the medical management and treatment decisions for the patient. Solaris requires ICD-10 codes with each order for lab testing and both the tests ordered and the diagnosis should be documented in the provider’s medical record for the patient. The United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, takes the position that a provider who orders medically unnecessary tests may be subject to civil penalties.
Panels and Profiles
Solaris offers Providers the convenience of ordering test combinations in a group at times with the flexibility to choose appropriate test(s) for individual patients. Providers should only order those tests that he or she believes are medically necessary for each patient, and a lesser inclusive profile or individual tests should be ordered if not all tests in the test combination/profile are medically necessary. All tests offered in a test combination/profile may be ordered separately as individual tests. Solaris encourages clients to contact their Solaris representative if the testing configurations shown do not meet individual needs for any reason, or if some other combination of procedures is needed.
CPT Codes
CPT Codes listed are in accordance with Current Procedural Terminology, a publication of the American Medical Association. CPT codes are the responsibility of the billing party and are listed here for informational purposes. Correct coding may vary from one carrier to another. Solaris may bill specific carriers using codes other than what is shown.
For questions or inquiries related to testing please reach out to
customerservice@solarisdx.com or contact us by phone at (844) 550-0308.
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