High SHBG and low testosterone


(David Nicholson) #1

Hi All

I have been following a LCHF diet for about 3-4 months now. My latest blood test showed (other than an increase in cholestrol which I understand is common) -

  • High SHBG level of 104 nmol/L (cf. range 18-54)
  • Low Free Testosterone of 224. pmol/L (cr range 243-571)

I was wondering whether others had experienced anything similar on Keto/LCHF diet.

My recollection is that I was fasting the previous day (not the whole day but a longer intermittent fast) and that possibly may have bumped up my levels. Apparently ‘starvation’ can have this effect of raising SHBG, which probably in turn reduces free testosterone.

I also read somewhere that higher SHBG may result from higher cortisol levels on a keto diet.

Any thoughts/comments?

cheers

David