Diffuse Hair Loss Associated With Hyperprolactinaemia: Report of Three Cases
February 2014
in “
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
”
diffuse hair loss hyperprolactinaemia prolactin macroprolactinoma hypothyroidism risperidone telogen hair shedding serum prolactin levels catagen formation antipsychotic medications atypical antipsychotics hair loss high prolactin large pituitary tumor underactive thyroid Risperdal hair shedding prolactin levels hair growth cycle antipsychotics
TLDR High levels of prolactin in the blood can be linked to widespread hair loss.
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.
