[Changes of SHBG concentrations in postmenopausal women]

Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is a serum (serous) glycoprotein binding estrogens and androgens with high affinity. Hepatic synthesis of SHBG and serous protein concentration are related to the following factors: age, sex steroids and thyroid hormones concentrations, obesity. Along with aging process, an increase of SHBG concentration is observed in both sexes. The following paper confirms a relation between age and SHBG concentration (positive correlation, p < 0.001) and a relation between body mass index (BMI) and SHBG. Concentration (r = -0.35, p < 0.039). In our studies it was found out that SHBG in postmenopausal women with recent hip fractures was significantly lower than in a group of women without fractures. The authors suggest that the determination of serum SHBG concentration might be assumed as a screening test for evaluation of the hip fracture risk in postmenopausal women.