The short answer
Measures the protein that carries testosterone and estrogen — essential for interpreting hormone levels, measured from a standard blood draw. At TestWell it costs $34.99 plus a $6 lab fee, needs no fasting, and results post in 1–3 business days. Physician-authorized with no doctor's visit or insurance needed; draw at Quest or Labcorp.
Hospital Lab
$120
cash pay
Other Labs
$59
+ lab fees
TestWell
$34.99
+ $6 lab fee
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) is a protein produced by the liver that binds to testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and estradiol, controlling how much of these hormones is available for your body to use. Measuring SHBG is critical for accurately interpreting total testosterone and estrogen levels, since only the unbound ('free') hormone is biologically active. Low SHBG is associated with insulin resistance and PCOS, while high SHBG can mask adequate total hormone levels.
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin — protein that binds and inactivates ~98% of circulating testosterone and estradiol. Critical for interpreting hormone levels (high SHBG = low bioavailable hormone even at normal total levels).
Men with normal Total T but symptoms of low T, women with hirsutism or PCOS workups, anyone evaluating thyroid impact on hormone bioavailability, or athletes/anti-aging users tracking hormone optimization.
Sample Type
Blood draw
Fasting
Not required
Results In
1–3 business days
Performed At
Quest or Labcorp
Your SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) results will include values for each of the 1 biomarker tested, along with reference ranges. Results are reviewed by a licensed physician before being released to your secure portal.
If any values fall outside the normal range, your report will include guidance on what that may mean and recommended next steps. You'll receive an email notification when your results are ready, typically within 1–3 business days.
Typical reference range layout
Lab reports show where your value sits relative to established reference intervals—your physician interprets this in context for you.
No fasting required. Best drawn in the morning when hormone levels are most stable.
A SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) test costs $34.99 at TestWell — $40.99 all-in when ordered alone, because the $6 lab processing fee is charged once per order, with no draw fee or physician fee added. Hospital outpatient labs typically bill around $120.00 self-pay for the same test, and often more. With insurance, what you pay depends on your deductible and your plan's negotiated rate; TestWell's price is fixed before the draw and is HSA/FSA-eligible.
| Where you order | Price | One test, all-in | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TestWell (drawn at Quest or Labcorp) | $34.99 | $40.99 | Includes the one $6 lab processing fee, charged once per order |
| Hospital outpatient lab, self-pay (typical) | $120.00 | $120.00 | Reference figure; hospital charges vary widely by facility and are often higher |
Lab test codes: Quest test code 30740 · Labcorp test no. 082016 · BioReference code 0658-5. Competitor prices are read from the linked public pages and re-checked regularly; the labs' sites may add taxes or change prices without notice.
Compare more: Quest Diagnostics price list · Labcorp price list · Quest vs Labcorp · Lab test price checker
Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD · Last reviewed September 2026
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$34.99
+ $6 lab processing fee at checkout
No insurance needed · HIPAA compliant
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Save $124.94This test is part of the Erectile Dysfunction Panel — 7 tests · 11 biomarkers for $114.99, $124.94 less than à la carte.
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Customers who ordered SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) also added these for a more complete health picture.
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SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin)
$34.99