Determinants of Hair Cortisol and Hair Cortisone Concentrations in Adults

June 2015 in “ Psychoneuroendocrinology ”

Sabine M. Staufenbiel, Brenda W.J.H. Penninx, Yolanda B. de Rijke, Erica L.T. van den Akker, Elisabeth F. C. van Rossum

hair cortisol hair cortisone liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry corticosteroid

TLDR Hair cortisol and cortisone levels increase with age, are higher in diabetics, vary by gender, decrease with frequent hair washing, and are lower in winter.

This study investigated the determinants of hair cortisol (HairF) and hair cortisone (HairE) concentrations in 760 psychiatrically healthy adults from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety. Using liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry, the study found that both HairF and HairE levels increased with age and were higher in individuals with diabetes mellitus. Men had higher HairF levels than women, and frequent hair washing was associated with lower levels of both HairF and HairE. Seasonal variations also affected HairF, with lower levels observed in winter months. These findings highlighted the importance of considering age, diabetes, hair washing frequency, and season when analyzing hair corticosteroid levels in future research.

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Determinants of Hair Cortisol and Hair Cortisone Concentrations in Adults

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