Alterations in Androgen Conjugate Levels in Women and Men with Alopecia

October 1994 in “ Fertility and Sterility ”

Richard S. Legro, Enrico Carmina, Frank Z. Stanczyk, Elisabet Gentzschein, Rogerio A. Løbo

androgenic alopecia testosterone androstenedione DHEAS 5α-reductase 3α-androstanediol glucuronide androgen metabolism hyperandrogenic hirsutism androgenic alopecia testosterone androstenedione DHEAS 5-alpha-reductase 3-alpha-androstanediol glucuronide androgen metabolism hyperandrogenic hirsutism

TLDR People with hair loss may have different levels of certain hormones due to changes in hormone processing.

In 1994, a study was conducted to examine androgen metabolite levels in individuals with alopecia. The study included 10 female controls, 50 hyperandrogenic women (with subgroups based on hirsutism and alopecia), 10 normal men, and 10 young men with premature balding. The results indicated that hyperandrogenic women, both with and without alopecia, had elevated levels of testosterone, androstenedione, and DHEAS compared to controls. Women with androgenic alopecia showed higher levels of certain androgens, suggesting increased 5α-reductase activity and a preference for sulfurylation over glucuronidation in androgen metabolism. Men with premature balding had lower levels of 3α-androstanediol glucuronide, also pointing to altered androgen conjugation. The study concluded that both increased 5α-reductase activity and changes in androgen conjugation may play a role in the development of androgenic alopecia.

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Research cited in this study

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