Why Your Hormones Are Imprisoned (and How to Free Them)

The Easy Way #14

The Testosterone Disconnect: When Numbers Don't Match Your Reality

I've seen this pattern repeatedly - men with impressive test levels on paper who aren't experiencing the benefits they should. They come to me both confused and devastated: "Why don't I feel as good as my labs suggest?"

The culprit in this situation can often be SHBG (Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin). When it's chronically elevated, it partially restricts how much testosterone is actually free to work in your tissues. Your numbers might look great, but your body can't access what it needs.

A bit like having the key to hormonal success but the lock keeps changing on you.

This isn't just biochemical curiosity - it directly impacts how you feel day-to-day. Your energy levels drop. Your mental clarity fades like a worn-out pair of shoes. Your drive diminishes like a car stuck in first gear. All while your fat, hormonally inept doctor is telling you everything looks "normal." (Their interpretation of normal, anyway.)

The frustrating reality is that many of the factors driving high SHBG are within your control - this isn't always your fault, but it can become your responsibility.

That's why I've made it my priority to create a straightforward guide to lowering SHBG - proven strategies that have been verified through real results with clients. Because understanding your complete hormone picture means the difference between merely surviving and actually thriving in a body that works for you.

What the Hell Is SHBG, Actually?

SHBG, which stands for sex hormone binding globulin, is a glycoprotein produced by your liver that binds to sex hormones like testosterone, DHT, and estradiol. It transports these hormones through your bloodstream and controls how much is available to your tissues.

Think of SHBG as a taxi service for your hormones. When bound to SHBG, hormones are "in the taxi" - they're in your body but can't enter your cells to do their work. Only "free" hormones (those not bound to SHBG) can actually enter cells and create effects.

What you need to know about SHBG binding:

SHBG binds most strongly to DHT, followed by testosterone, and lastly estradiol. This means when SHBG is high, DHT and testosterone are affected more than estrogen - creating a potential hormone imbalance that leaves you feeling like garbage.

Research confirms this: DHT binds to SHBG with approximately 5 times greater affinity than testosterone and 20 times greater than estradiol.

What's Screwing With Your SHBG Levels

Factors that increase SHBG:

• Estrogens (through liver stimulation)

• Thyroid hormone excess

• Caloric restriction and fasting

• Mycotoxins

• Poor liver health

Factors that decrease SHBG:

• Insulin resistance

• Higher androgen levels

• Growth hormone/IGF-1

• Dietary saturated fats

SHBG isn't just made in your liver - it's also produced locally in tissues like your testes and brain, allowing for targeted hormone regulation right where it's needed.

The Protocol That Actually Works

So the question we're all asking ourselves: How do we fix it? That's where I come in with a protocol I used to crush my own SHBG.