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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2004; 112(1): 24-28
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-815723
Article

J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Hormonal Profile of Men with Premature Balding

L. Stárka 1 , I. Čermáková 1 , M. Dušková 1 , M. Hill 1 , M. Doležal 2 , V. Poláček 2
  • 1Institute of Endocrinology, Prague, Czech Republic
  • 2Clinics of Aesthetic Surgery, Faculty Hospital, Bulovka, Prague, Czech Republic
Further Information

Publication History

Received: November 25, 2002 First decision: January 29, 2003

Accepted: June 4, 2003

Publication Date:
03 February 2004 (online)

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Abstract

Objective

Premature androgenic alopecia has been suggested as a feature of the male equivalent of the syndrome of polycystic ovary. However, the hormonal pattern of men with premature balding has been investigated in only a few studies with inconsistent results.

Material and Methods

We examined 37 men with premature balding (defined as frontoparietal and vertex hair loss before the age of 30 years with alopecia defined as grade 3 vertex or more on the alopecia classification scale of Hamilton with Norwood modification). The plasma concentrations of total testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, epitestosterone, androstenedione, cortisol, 17-OH-progesterone (17OHP), estradiol, LH, FSH, prolactin, SHBG and TSH and free thyroxine were measured.

Results

The frequency of subnormal values in SHBG, FSH, testosterone and epitestosterone (but not in free androgen index) was significant in the balding men. A borderline significant trend was recorded with respect to increased levels in 17OH-P and prolactin.

Conclusions

The hormonal pattern of a substantial number of men with premature balding resembles in some respects the hormonal pattern of women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Key words

Androgenetic alopecia - polycystic ovary syndrome - androgens - SHBG - antiandrogens

References

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Prof. MUDr. RNDr. DrSc. L. Stárka

Institute of Endocrinology
11694 Prague 1
Czech Republic

Národní 8

Phone: + 420224905344

Fax: + 42 02 24 90 53 25

Email: lstarka@endo.cz