New Onset of Alopecia in a Young Woman with End-Stage Renal Disease
April 2008
in “
Ndt Plus
”
TLDR A young woman with kidney failure had hair loss due to a common hormonal disorder, which improved with hormone therapy.
The case report described a 30-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on peritoneal dialysis who presented with progressive hair loss, hirsutism, and amenorrhea. Hormonal evaluation confirmed androgen excess, leading to a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is the most common cause of ovarian androgen excess. The patient's nonscarring alopecia, along with hirsutism and amenorrhea, suggested an underlying androgen excess. Treatment with a combined estrogen-progestin therapy improved her hirsutism, reversed alopecia, and resulted in regular menstrual bleeding. The report highlighted that while ESRD is associated with a low rate of conception and a high rate of spontaneous abortion, clomiphene citrate, which induces ovulation, might be a treatment option after successful renal transplantation. The case emphasized the importance of considering PCOS in women with ESRD who present with symptoms of androgen excess, and it discussed the management of PCOS, including the control of hyperandrogenism and metabolic abnormalities.
