Pituitary Effects of Metformin in Men With Early-Onset Androgenic Alopecia

May 2022 in “ The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology ”

Robert Krysiak, Karolina Kowalcze, Bogusław Okopień

metformin pituitary hormone androgenic alopecia luteinizing hormone follicle-stimulating hormone insulin sensitivity glycated hemoglobin glucose homeostasis gonadotroph hyperplasia testicular changes LH FSH blood sugar control prediabetes

Studysummary This study suggests that metformin has a stronger impact on gonadotroph hormone levels in men with early-onset androgenic alopecia compared to those with normal hair growth.

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The study investigated the effects of metformin on pituitary hormone production in young men with early-onset androgenic alopecia (group 1, n=23) compared to those with normal hair growth (group 2, n=25), all with prediabetes. Over 6 months of metformin treatment, group 1 showed a reduction in luteinizing hormone (LH) levels and the LH/follicle-stimulating hormone ratio, while group 2 experienced more pronounced improvements in fasting glucose, insulin sensitivity, and glycated hemoglobin. Metformin did not affect other hormone levels in either group. In untreated men with androgenic alopecia (group 3, n=22), glucose homeostasis markers and hormone levels remained stable. The findings suggest that metformin has a stronger impact on gonadotroph secretory function in men with early-onset androgenic alopecia, potentially protecting against gonadotroph hyperplasia and/or focal testicular changes.

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Research cited in this study

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