TLDR There is no significant link between male pattern baldness and insulin resistance.
The study, which included 97 men with androgenic alopecia (AGA) and 87 men without AGA, found no significant difference in serum fasting insulin level, fasting blood glucose, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein between the two groups. This suggests that there is no significant relationship between insulin resistance and AGA, contradicting previous suggestions of a link. With a total of 184 participants, the study calls for further research to conclusively explore the potential association between these conditions.
57 citations,
January 2004 in “Journal of Endocrinology” Baldness caused by male hormones in female-to-male transsexuals doesn't increase the risk of heart disease.
155 citations,
December 2003 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Hair loss increases with age; alcohol raises risk, more female partners lowers it.
49 citations,
June 2003 in “European journal of cardiovascular prevention & rehabilitation” Hair loss in middle-aged women is often linked to insulin resistance and a family history of hair loss, particularly from their fathers.
4 citations,
April 2002 in “Medical Hypotheses” Hormones cause hair loss by affecting cell growth and weakening cell attraction.
56 citations,
June 2001 in “European journal of cardiovascular prevention & rehabilitation” Early balding linked to higher heart disease risk.
115 citations,
September 2000 in “The Lancet” Early hair loss may indicate risk of insulin resistance.
26 citations,
June 2000 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Men with balding at age 45 had higher IGF-1 and lower IGFBP-3, suggesting these factors might be important in male pattern baldness.
Men with androgenetic alopecia may have a higher risk of metabolic syndrome.
October 2023 in “Benha Journal of Applied Sciences” Insulin resistance may contribute to hair loss in people with androgenic alopecia.
May 2022 in “Maǧallaẗ Buḥūṯ Al-Tarbiyyaẗ Al-Nawʿiyyaẗ (Print)” Eating a high inositol diet significantly improves insulin resistance and hormone levels in women with PCOS.
15 citations,
November 2015 in “Dermatology Research and Practice” No clear link between hair loss and metabolic syndrome, but some differences in blood pressure and glucose levels.
2 citations,
January 2013 in “Hair therapy & transplantation” Hair loss may signal metabolic problems and increased risk of heart disease, suggesting people with hair loss should be checked for these issues.
