Sex hormone‐binding globulin in gestational diabetes

Abstract

SHBG concentrations are lower in gestational diabetic pregnant women and are related to insulin levels but not to peripheral insulin sensitivity. Since insulinemia was similar in normal and gestational diabetic pregnant women, we speculate that gestational diabetes is characterized by a higher peripheral insulin resistance, a fasting normal insulinemia and a higher hepatic insulin sensitivity, at least in other actions than on carbohydrate metabolism. The role of sex steroids, T4 and IGF-1 in regulating SHBG appears to be limited during pregnancy.