Measurement of Cortisol and Testosterone in Hair of Obese and Non-Obese Human Subjects
June 2014
in “
Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes
”
TLDR Hair hormone levels can indicate obesity-related changes and are useful for research and clinical practice.
The study found that in obese individuals, hair cortisol levels increased while hair testosterone levels decreased. The ratio of cortisol to testosterone in hair was more strongly correlated with age, BMI, and waist circumference than either hormone alone. The researchers concluded that measuring hormones in hair is a valuable non-invasive method for research and potentially for clinical practice, as it is not affected by short-term fluctuations.