Hormonal Basis of Male and Female Androgenic Alopecia: Clinical Relevance

The study examined the hormonal factors contributing to androgenic hair loss (AH) in 65 male and 111 female patients, comparing their hormone levels with those of 103 age-matched controls. It found that cortisol levels were significantly higher in both male and female AH patients, suggesting the involvement of the suprarenal glands in AH. In male patients, elevated levels of androstenedione highlighted the role of peripheral androgen metabolism. Female patients showed significant hypophyseal hypothyroidism and increased prolactin levels after thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation, pointing to a complex hormonal interplay in AH. The study concluded that AH is influenced by a range of hormonal factors beyond just androgens, and that treatment should be tailored to the individual's specific hormonal profile, potentially including antiandrogens, prolactin inhibitors, or thyroid hormones.