Vertex Balding, Plasma Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1, and Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3

June 2000 in “ Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology ”

Elizabeth A. Platz, Michael Pollak, Walter C. Willett, Edward Giovannucci

vertex balding insulin-like growth factor 1 IGF-1 insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 IGFBP-3 male pattern hair loss male pattern baldness vertex balding IGF-1 IGFBP-3 male pattern baldness

TLDR Men with balding at age 45 had higher IGF-1 and lower IGFBP-3, suggesting these factors might be important in male pattern baldness.

The study, involving 431 men aged 47 to 81, found that those with vertex balding at age 45 had higher levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and lower levels of its binding protein (IGFBP-3). A 1 standard deviation increase in IGF-1 levels was associated with a 1.31 odds ratio for vertex balding, while a similar increase in IGFBP-3 levels was associated with a 0.62 odds ratio for balding. The findings suggest a potential role of the IGF-1 axis in male pattern hair loss, despite limitations such as the long time lapse since hair loss began and potential misclassification due to self-assessment. The study supports the idea that IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 may be important in the development of male pattern baldness.

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