Impaired Metabolic Effects of Metformin in Men with Early-Onset Androgenic Alopecia

December 2021 in “ Pharmacological Reports ”

Robert Krysiak, Karolina Kowalcze, Bogusław Okopień

TLDR Metformin is less effective in men with early-onset hair loss.

The study investigated the metabolic effects of metformin in 147 men with early-onset androgenic alopecia (AGA) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) over 12 months. It found that metformin's impact on glucose homeostasis markers was less pronounced in men with early-onset AGA compared to those without hair loss. Metformin reduced BMI, fat content, waist circumference, glycated hemoglobin, fasting and postchallenge glucose levels, and triglycerides in both groups, but these effects were stronger in the control group. Additionally, metformin reduced hsCRP and bioavailable testosterone levels only in the control group and decreased 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels only in the AGA group. The study suggests that early-onset AGA may impair the metabolic benefits of metformin, potentially due to underlying hormonal and metabolic abnormalities associated with the condition.

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