Clotted blood tube (Serum gel separator clot activator tube)

Minimum blood volume: 5 mL

Paediatric clotted blood tube

Number of vials: 2

Minimum blood volume: 1.6 mL

Authorisation code required

Yes

(Private patient ONLY)

24 Hr available service

No

Method

Immunoassay

Reference interval

(Unit: nmol/L)

Age	Male	Female
1 - 7 day	8.8 - 50.7	7.4 - 34.8
8 - 15 day	13.7 - 68.7	10.1 - 51.2
16 day - < 4 year	19.8 - 114.4	12.9 - 96.6
4 - < 7 year	34.4 - 141.1	42.5 - 130.8
7 - < 9 year	42.9 - 120.3	41.8 - 149.4
9 - < 11 year	30.3 - 169.0	30.4 - 178.1
11 - < 12 year	46.9 - 153.5	34.9 - 158.0
12 - < 13 year	30.8 - 173.6	30.6 - 144.1
13 - < 14 year	22.9 - 159.0	25.2 - 160.0
14 - < 16 year	14.6 - 142.7	13.4 - 154.8
16 - < 17 year	17.9 - 113.1	28.0 - 164.4
17 - < 18 year	19.6 - 77.35	23.8 - 129.1
18 - < 20 year	19.7 - 60.4	25.8 - 103.4
> 20 year	13.0 - 71.0	18.0 - 114.0

(Source:

1. Paediatric reference range (< 20 year) adopted from Clin Chem Lab Med 2002; 40: 1151 - 60

2. Adult reference range (> 20 year) adopted from manufacturer kit insert)

Clinical indication

Assessment of hirsutism or virilisation in females

Investigation of testicular failure or precocious puberty in males

Result interpretation

Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) is primarily ordered in conjunction with other tests to evaluate a person’s androgen status. A total testosterone and SHBG are ordered to evaluate free androgens by calculating the Free Androgen Index (FAI). This equation gives an idea of the quantity of bioavailable testosterone that is not bound to SHBG.

Increased SHBG levels may be seen in:

• Hyperthyroidism

• Eating disorders (anorexia)

• Estrogen use (hormone replacement therapy and oral contraceptives)

• Pregnancy

Decreased SHBG levels may be seen in:

• Obesity

• Polycystic ovarian syndrome

• Hypothyroidism

• Androgen use

• Cushing disease