A Matched Case-Control Study of Zinc Levels in Androgenetic Alopecia and Alopecia Areata: Is There a Need to Do Routine Screening?

A 36-year-old man with androgenetic alopecia suspects copper and zinc deficiencies may be accelerating hair loss and is supplementing copper to address this. He is also monitoring blood sugar levels due to previous prediabetes concerns and plans to test for insulin resistance.

A user experienced androgenic alopecia starting at the vertex without frontal hairline recession and is seeking information on this pattern. Another user noted that vertex or diffuse hair loss is common among men.

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) impacts various skin conditions, including Androgenetic alopecia and seborrheic dermatitis, by causing overactivity in sebaceous glands. Topical medications Tacrolimus and Clobetasol can reduce these inflammatory conditions, and treatments like RU58841, Minoxidil, and Finasteride may also be beneficial.

The conversation discusses a new model for understanding androgenetic alopecia (AGA), linking it to dietary and lifestyle factors similar to PCOS, and highlighting the role of DHT, vascular damage, and inflammation. Treatments mentioned include Minoxidil, finasteride, and RU58841.

A user with diffuse hair loss after taking accutane, which might have triggered genetic predisposition to AGA; their experience taking finasteride and experiencing side effects of increased oil production, increased sex drive, worsening hair texture; they are considering zinc supplementation with finasteride or other treatments such as alfatradiol or spironolactone.