October 30, 2009: The incidence of type 2 diabetes is fast increasing owing to alterations in the diet and lifestyle practices. Another factor being highlighted as the causative factor of diabetes is stress. Diabetes is a chronic disorder that needs lifetime management. It is also associated with a number of complications such as heart disorders, high blood pressure, kidney failure and blindness. Prevention or the reduction of risk factors has been the key in diabetes management.

While efforts are on to prevent the occurrence of diabetes, importance is also being given to the tests that can predict the risk of diabetes.

Among many such factors that can predict the risk, particular importance is now being given to the protein known as the sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG). These specialized proteins are produced in the liver and bind to the sex hormones circulating in the blood. The levels of these proteins can predict the risk of diabetes according to a recent study in Los Angeles. Although the SHBG has been tested for its efficacy over the decade, the results were uncertain. This study has proven the efficiency of SHBG wherein the authors noted that individuals with high levels of SHBG in their blood were at a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. It was concluded that low levels of SHBG in the blood can be a strong predictor of the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in both men and women.

Therefore, testing of sex hormone–binding globulin may now be used widely to predict the risk of diabetes in men and women wherein, lower levels of SHBG can identify individuals at higher risk of diabetes. Such individuals can take additional care to prevent the occurrence of diabetes.

Source: Ding EL, Song Y, Manson JE, et al. Sex hormone-binding globulin and risk of type 2 diabetes in women and men. N Engl J Med. 2009 Sep 17; 361(12):1152-63. Epub 2009 Aug 5.