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ForumsLab Results & BiomarkersHas anyone dealt with shbg changes during weight loss on glp-1?

Has anyone dealt with shbg changes during weight loss on glp-1?

DadBodDave Thu, Jan 9, 2025 at 6:10 PM 6 replies 1,624 viewsPage 1 of 2
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DadBodDave
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Jan 9, 2025 at 6:10 PM#1

Writing this once so I can stop repeating it across threads. It is about the hormone panel, and it is deliberately narrow — everything I am not confident about is marked as such.

What is actually established

Most of the hormonal change here is a consequence of adiposity falling rather than a drug effect. Less adipose tissue means less aromatase activity, so in men testosterone commonly rises and estradiol falls, and SHBG rises as insulin resistance improves — which means total testosterone can rise while free testosterone moves less than expected. In PCOS, improved insulin sensitivity frequently restores ovulation, which is a fertility change people are not always expecting.

The condition it depends on

This is a case where measuring the free fraction rather than the total matters, because SHBG is moving at the same time.

What I am not sure about

So the question, as narrowly as I can put it: why total and free can move differently here, and which of the two is worth tracking. Not looking for reassurance. Looking for the part I have got wrong.

— DadBodDave · corrections welcome and will be edited into this post with credit
41 11laura_annarbor, JenMemphis, pat_auckland and 38 others
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mike.trainer_LA
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Jan 9, 2025 at 7:03 PM#2
DadBodDave said:
Most of the hormonal change here is a consequence of adiposity falling rather than a drug effect.

Hormone panel changes on the hormone panel — relevant for anyone curious about endocrine effects:

  • Testosterone: increased 35% (weight loss reduces aromatase in adipose tissue)
  • Estradiol: normalized from elevated baseline
  • SHBG: increased appropriately
  • Free testosterone: increased 22%
  • Cortisol AM: within normal limits, no significant change

My reproductive endocrinologist says the testosterone improvement alone could explain the energy and mood benefits I've experienced.

40 10newstart_MO, mia_MS2, LeilaHI and 37 others
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Dr.GastroMayo
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Jan 9, 2025 at 7:56 PM#3
DadBodDave said:
Most of the hormonal change here is a consequence of adiposity falling rather than a drug effect.

HPA axis assessment on the hormone panel: rarely ordered but informative for understanding the stress-metabolism connection:

4-point salivary cortisol:

  • Morning: 15 ng/mL → 14 ng/mL (improved)
  • Noon: 7 ng/mL → 5 ng/mL
  • Evening: 4 ng/mL → 2 ng/mL
  • Night: 2 ng/mL → 1 ng/mL

The cortisol curve is normalizing — less flat, better diurnal variation. Reduced visceral fat = reduced cortisol overproduction. The metabolic benefits cascade into stress hormone regulation.

Last edited: Jan 10, 2025 at 12:56 AM
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carl_compliance
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Jan 9, 2025 at 8:49 PM#4
Dr.GastroMayo said:
HPA axis assessment on the hormone panel: rarely ordered but informative for understanding the stress-metabolism connection: 4-point salivary…

Sex hormone labs after weight loss on the hormone panel — for the men in this thread:

Testosterone: 345 → 585 ng/dL (dramatic improvement!)
Free T: 6.0 → 12.5 ng/dL
Estradiol: 47 → 23 pg/mL
SHBG: 19 → 43 nmol/L

Visceral fat contains aromatase which converts testosterone to estrogen. As you lose visceral fat, this conversion decreases and testosterone naturally rises. I feel 10 years younger.

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DerekSJ_a1c
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Jan 10, 2025 at 1:49 AM#5
mike.trainer_LA said:
Hormone panel changes on the hormone panel — relevant for anyone curious about endocrine effects: Testosterone: increased 35% (weight loss reduces…

Second this.

37 7AttorneyGrant, DebRD_ATL, KristenIndy and 34 others
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