TLDR High levels of 3 alpha-diol glucuronide in the blood are a marker of increased androgen action in women with excessive hair growth of unknown cause.
In a study conducted 42 years ago, biologically active androgens and peripheral androgen metabolites in plasma were measured in 25 women with idiopathic hirsutism (IH). The study found that plasma testosterone was not significantly elevated, but free testosterone was increased, although not impressively (10.9 +/- 6.6 SD vs. 3.3 +/- 1.5 ng/dl). Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) values were elevated (23.5 +/- 14 vs. 12.5 +/- 3.59), but over half of the values were within the normal range. The study concluded that 3 alpha-diol glucuronide, which was markedly increased (604 +/- 376 vs. 40 +/- 10 ng/dl), is a marker of peripheral androgen action and was markedly elevated in IH.
29 citations,
May 1975 in “Clinical Endocrinology” Combination therapy significantly reduces testosterone and moderately reduces hair growth in women with hirsutism.
403 citations,
November 2005 in “Journal of Endocrinology” Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a prohormone important for producing sex steroids and has potential health benefits.
12 citations,
May 1995 in “Australasian Journal of Dermatology” Hair loss in women can be slowed with treatment, but more research needed for better solutions.
131 citations,
September 2017 in “Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology” The document concludes that blocking the internal pathways that create androgens might help treat cancers that depend on sex hormones.
50 citations,
February 2013 in “Annals of Clinical Biochemistry” Understanding how DHT works is important for diagnosing and treating hormone-related disorders.
47 citations,
August 2000 in “Endocrine Reviews” The document concludes that more research is needed to understand excessive hair growth in women with normal hormone levels and regular ovulation.
