Sex hormone binding globulin in women with anorexia nervosa

In 29 women with anorexia nervosa, on a blood sample withdrawn at 0900 h before and during weight gain, the binding parameters of serum sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were measured by a solid phase method and the levels of testosterone, oestradiol and thyroid hormones were measured by radioimmunoassay. The binding capacity of SHBG was higher than the upper limit for normally menstruating women in 23 patients whilst its affinity for binding testosterone at 37 degrees C was normal (0.32-0.53 X 10(-9) mol/l). The mean levels of testosterone, oestradiol and free thyroxine were normal and the mean level of triiodothyronine was significantly (P less than 0.005) decreased. The binding capacity of SHBG did not correlate significantly with body mass index, percent weight lost, thyroid hormone or sex hormone levels. In 9 patients, an i.v. infusion providing 1200-1400 calories daily was given for 1 week. In these patients a significant decrease (P less than 0.005) in the binding capacity of SHBG (from 74.7 +/- 26.7 to 52.9 +/- 21.8 nmol/l) and a significant increase (P less than 0.001) in T3 levels (from 0.69 +/- 0.21 to 0.95 +/- 0.13 nmol/l) was observed. In 14 patients, when a weight gain of at least 5% was obtained, the binding capacity of SHBG fell into the normal range (25.6-62.9 nmol/l) while T3 levels rose to normal (0.85-2.30 nmol/l). These findings suggested that variations of calorie intake and/or body weight may influence the binding capacity of SHBG in the human.