Sex hormone-binding globulin and thrombin generation in women using hormonal contraception

Objectives: We investigated the impact of serum sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) on thrombin generation (TG) in women according to hormonal contraception.Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study of SHBG and TG measured via calibrated automated thrombography was conducted in 150 healthy women, including 75 users of combined oral contraceptives (COC), 22 users of progestin-only contraceptives (POC) and 53 nonusers.Results: COC but not POC-users had significantly higher SHBG levels compared with nonusers. In hormonal contraceptive users, SHBG was positively associated with both activated protein C (APC) resistance and baseline TG, and protein S and prothrombin were important mediators.Conclusion: These data provide further evidence that SHBG may be used as a biomarker in assessing prothrombotic profile of hormonal contraception.