Hair Follicle Characteristics as Early Marker of Type 2 Diabetes

October 2016 in “ Medical Hypotheses ”

J. Jaime Miranda, Alvaro Taype-Rondan, Jose Carlos Tapia, Maria Gabriela Gastanadui-Gonzalez, Ricardo Roman-Carpio

hair follicle hair density hair growth rate anagen phase hair diameter hair regrowth time dysglycemic states Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus hyperglycemic complications hair growth hair thickness hair cycle diabetes

TLDR Hair characteristics might be early signs of Type 2 Diabetes and could help with early prevention.

The document from October 1, 2016, presents the hypothesis that hair follicle characteristics could be early indicators of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM2). It suggests that changes in hair density, growth rate, anagen phase percentage, hair diameter, and regrowth time may reflect early damage caused by dysglycemic states and could be used to identify individuals at risk for DM2. The authors propose non-invasive, low-cost techniques to evaluate these characteristics, which could lead to early prevention strategies. They highlight the need for research to establish a link between hair follicle features and hyperglycemic complications. The document also considers the influence of various factors on hair characteristics and acknowledges the support received by the authors from various institutions, noting that there was no specific funding for this study.

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