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Hair Loss Study Abstract: Hormonal diagnosis in so-called androgenetic alopecia in the female
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Title
[Hormonal diagnosis in so-called androgenetic alopecia in the female]
Original Title
Hormonale Diagnostik der sogenannten androgenetischen Alopezie der Frau.
Author
Moltz L
Source
Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd, 48: 4, 1988 Apr, 203-14
Abstract
Androgenetic alopecia (a.A.) occurs quite frequently. Up to 79% of women suffer at least
temporarily from varying degrees of intermittent diffuse hair loss in the centro-parietal
and/or fronto-temporal regions. A.A. is caused by an androgen excess acting on the hair
follicle for prolonged periods of time in the presence of a genetic predisposition.
However, often hyperandrogenemia cannot be demonstrated in such patients. 125 women with
clinically typical a.A. were investigated prospectively under standardized conditions.
Patient age ranged from 18 to 68 years (mean +/- SD: 34 +/- 11.6). Atypical uterine
bleeding such as menorrhagia, hypermenorrhea and polymenorrhea were found in 69 women. The
hair loss varied between 50 and 400 hairs per day (124 +/- 125). Additional signs of
hyperandrogenism, i.e. seborrhea (n = 83), acne (n = 52) and hirsutism (n = 28), were
often observed. Basal levels of total and free testosterone (T and FT), dihydro-T (DHT)
DHEA-sulfate (DS), delta 4-androstendione (A), 17 alpha-hydroxy-progesterone (17P),
cortisol (F), progesterone (P), 17 beta-estradiol (E2), sex hormone binding globuline
(SHBG), prolactin (PRL), thyreoidea-stimulating hormone (TSH), ferritin (Fe), vitamin B12
(B12) and folat (Fo) were determined by RIA. FT was also measured by equilibrium dialyses.
Different methods of determining bound and unbound T were used; their diagnostic value is
discussed in detail. In addition, a combined ACTH/TRH-stimulation test was performed in
all patients. Pathologic changes of one parameter were detectable in 26.4% of patients,
while 67.2% revealed deviations of two or more indices. Excluding clinically relevant
borderline values, only 6.4% of patients were without any abnormalities. The incidence
rate of pathologic parameters was as follows: FT in % = 52%, Fe = 42%, PRL = 34%, E2 =
34%, FT in pg = 29%, DHT = 28%, SHBG = 26%, TSH = 20.8%, DS = 19%, T = 14%, 17P = 11%, Fo
= 7%, A = 6%, F = 6%, B12 = 5%. Group and individual case analyses revealed significant
correlations between (1) the levels of the various androgens, PRL and TSH and (2) the E2,
SHBG and FT values; these, in turn, were correlated to (3) the occurrence of certain
bleeding anomalies (amount, duration, interval) and corresponding ferritin deficiency.
Therapy was directed at normalizing the disturbed estrogen-androgen-balance. Using
low-dose antiandrogens, estrogens, prolactin suppressants, corticoids,
iron-II-preparations as well as estrogen-containing hair lotions hair loss was arrested in
74 of 104 treated women, while regrowth of hair was accomplished in 16 patients. 14 women
did not respond to therapy.
Language of Publication
German
Unique Identifier
88242972
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