The Impact of Metformin on Plasma Prolactin Levels in Antipsychotic-Treated Men With Hyperprolactinemia and Early-Onset Androgenic Alopecia

    May 2025 in “ Clinical Endocrinology ”
    Robert Krysiak, Karolina Kowalcze, Marek Krzystanek, Witold Szkróbka, Bogusław Okopień
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    TLDR Metformin lowers prolactin in men with normal hair but not in those with early hair loss.
    This study examined the effects of metformin on plasma prolactin levels in 45 antipsychotic-treated men with hyperprolactinemia, including those with early-onset androgenic alopecia. After 6 months, metformin significantly reduced prolactin levels in men with normal hair growth but not in those with androgenic alopecia, suggesting that early-onset androgenic alopecia may affect metformin's efficacy. The study also found that men with androgenic alopecia showed weak metabolic responses to metformin, likely due to elevated testosterone levels. Consequently, metformin is not recommended for prolactin reduction in these individuals, and further research is needed to explore the interactions between metformin, testosterone, and lactotroph function.
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