Diffuse Hair Loss Associated With Hyperprolactinaemia: Report of Three Cases

The document reports three cases of diffuse hair loss associated with hyperprolactinaemia, a condition where there is an excess of prolactin in the blood. The first case involved a 24-year-old woman with a macroprolactinoma and mild hypothyroidism, the second case was a 21-year-old male experiencing hair loss after being prescribed risperidone for psychological issues due to drug abuse, and the third case was a 26-year-old woman with a history of depression and paranoid schizophrenia, also on antipsychotic medications including risperidone. All three patients exhibited increased telogen hair shedding and elevated serum prolactin levels. The document suggests that prolactin, which is expressed in human skin and scalp hair follicles, can inhibit hair shaft elongation and induce premature catagen formation, potentially leading to hair loss. It also notes that antipsychotic drugs, particularly risperidone, can cause hyperprolactinaemia and that screening for prolactin levels in patients with unexplained diffuse hair loss is warranted. The document concludes that hyperprolactinaemia can be associated with diffuse hair loss and highlights the need for awareness of this potential side effect of atypical antipsychotics.