Variation in Male Sex Hormone Levels Among the Pattern Subtypes of Hair Loss in Patients With Androgenetic Alopecia

This study aimed to identify the mean serum testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) levels in androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and detect their difference according to balding area. A retrospective review of patients with AGA who visited the clinic from March 2012 to May 2016 was performed. A total of 207 male and 202 female patients were recruited and subtyped based on the pattern of hair loss. Serum testosterone levels were significantly higher in M type than L type hair loss and lower in F type than non-SP type hair loss in male patients. There was no significant difference in female patients. The study proposes the hypothesis that the serum testosterone level is associated with balding area and the sensitivity of hair follicles toward androgenic hormone could be different between those located in the bitemporal and frontal area. Further investigation is needed to validate the possible link between serum testosterone level and the pattern of hair loss.