Sex hormone binding globulin levels in hirsute patients: the effect of combined OCs.

Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) has been measured using an improved ammonium-precipitation method. SHBG has been measured in normal male and female subjects, and in hirsute subjects on and off combined oral contraceptives (OCs). SHBG concentrations in hirsute subjects were significantly lower than those of normal female subjects (P0.001). During treatment with OCs, SHBG concentrations rose significantly (P0.001). Among hirsute patients, there was no significant (P0.5) difference between the pretreatment SHBG concentrations of 'responders' and those of 'nonresponders.' During treatment, SHBG concentrations increased in both groups.