Sex Hormones and Hair Loss in Men From the General Population of Northeastern Germany

The study investigated the relationship between sex hormones and hair loss in 373 men from the general population of Northeastern Germany. The researchers used liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to measure sex hormone levels and assessed hair loss both generally (yes or no) and specifically using the Norwood-Hamilton Scale. The results showed no significant associations between sex hormones and hair loss. Total testosterone, for example, was not significantly associated with general hair loss (relative risk, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.96-1.04) or with the Norwood-Hamilton Scale (odds ratio, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.93-1.65). The only exception was a lower concentration of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) in men with hair loss (P = .001). The study concluded that there is no link between serum androgen concentrations and male hair loss, suggesting that androgenetic alopecia might be due to increased androgen sensitivity or androgen receptor density rather than serum androgen levels themselves.