Measurement of Steroid Hormones in Hair: An Analysis of Hormone Dynamics in Hair Follicles

This study developed a novel method using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to measure steroid hormone concentrations in hair, specifically targeting androgenetic alopecia (AGA). The method can analyze 10 types of steroids, including DHT, testosterone, and cortisol, from small hair samples. The study aimed to understand local hormone dynamics in hair follicles, as AGA is linked to high DHT activity in specific scalp regions. Hair samples from 8 healthy men were collected from 9 areas on the head, covering frontal, parietal, and occipital regions, to study the distribution of steroid hormones. The method's validity was confirmed according to FDA guidelines.