Free Androgen Index: Marker of Premature Androgenetic Alopecia in Men

January 2016 in “ Journal of Microbial & Biochemical Technology ”

Sarita Sanke, Chet Ram, er, Taru Garg, Anju Jain

androgenetic alopecia Testosterone DHEAS SHBG Free Androgen Index hyperandrogenism AGA Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate Sex Hormone Binding Globulin

TLDR The Free Androgen Index (FAI) is the best indicator of early hair loss in men before age 30.

In 2016, a study involving 57 men with premature androgenetic alopecia (AGA), a condition causing hair loss before age 30, was conducted to evaluate various androgenic hormones. The study compared the serum concentrations of Testosterone, DHEAS, and SHBG, and calculated the Free Androgen Index (FAI) of these men with age and sex-matched controls. The results indicated significant differences in the mean values of all three indicators for androgen status in cases compared to the controls. The study found that FAI and DHEAS were better predictors of hyperandrogenism than testosterone, concluding that FAI is the best marker of a person's androgen status and can be considered as the marker of premature AGA.

View this study on walshmedicalmedia.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

8 / 8 results

research Hormonal Profile in Indian Men with Premature Androgenetic Alopecia

25 citations, January 2013 in “International Journal of Trichology”

Premature balding in some men may be linked to altered hormones, but it's not the male equivalent to polycystic ovary syndrome or metabolic syndrome.

research Gender-Specific Association of Androgenetic Alopecia with Metabolic Syndrome in a Middle-Aged Korean Population

37 citations, April 2012 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Female hair loss linked to metabolic syndrome, not in males.

research Androgenetic Alopecia and Insulin Resistance: Are They Truly Associated?

35 citations, April 2011 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

No true link between AGA and insulin resistance, but coexistence may worsen AGA.

research Hormonal Profile of Men with Premature Balding

29 citations, February 2004 in “Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes”

Men with early balding often have hormone levels similar to women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

research Androgens and Alopecia

165 citations, December 2002 in “Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology”

Male hormones, particularly DHT, are linked to male pattern hair loss, and treatments like finasteride can help, but they don't work for postmenopausal women's hair loss, which may have different causes.

research Molecular Mechanisms of Androgenetic Alopecia

229 citations, August 2002 in “Experimental Gerontology”

AGA causes hair loss by shrinking hair follicles due to DHT binding, and can be treated with finasteride and minoxidil.

research Androgens and Human Hair Growth

157 citations, April 1994 in “Clinical endocrinology”

Androgens can cause hair growth in some areas and hair loss on the scalp.

research Hormonal Basis of Male and Female Androgenic Alopecia: Clinical Relevance

23 citations, January 1994 in “Skin Pharmacology and Physiology”

Hair loss in men and women is linked to high stress hormone levels and other hormonal imbalances, suggesting treatments should be customized to each person's hormones.

Related Research

1 / 1 results

research Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin and Saliva Testosterone Levels in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

29 citations, September 1983 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Men with hair loss have lower SHBG and higher saliva testosterone levels, suggesting increased androgen activity.

Free Androgen Index: Marker of Premature Androgenetic Alopecia in Men

Research cited in this study

research Hormonal Profile in Indian Men with Premature Androgenetic Alopecia

research Gender-Specific Association of Androgenetic Alopecia with Metabolic Syndrome in a Middle-Aged Korean Population

research Androgenetic Alopecia and Insulin Resistance: Are They Truly Associated?

research Hormonal Profile of Men with Premature Balding

research Androgens and Alopecia

research Molecular Mechanisms of Androgenetic Alopecia

research Androgens and Human Hair Growth

research Hormonal Basis of Male and Female Androgenic Alopecia: Clinical Relevance

Related Community Posts Join

community Female, 27 years old, shedding/ balding despite being on what is considered to be a effective treatment plan for AGA. Considering Dut (oral) . Please help.

community Finasteride doesn't work for me in 2 years and my bloodtest result just came in.

community C’est terrible - at my wits end

community How does hair loss and recovery work?

community Dutasteride SAVES your hair follicles: MAJOR BS on people who say it destroyed their hair permanently.

community AA and Hirsutism but T levels are normal

Related Research

research Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin and Saliva Testosterone Levels in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia