A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF PLASMA SEX HORMONE LEVELS IN MALE AND FEMALE PATIENTS WITH ANDROGENETIC ALOPECIA.

Shankar Nath, Zhang Zhiying, Chen Ting, Luo Na, Du Mingyin, Song Jiquan* and Xie Jun*

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is characterized by progressive scalp hair loss. It is responsible for hair loss in both men and women, often manifesting in the 3rd and 4th decades of life. AGA pathogenesis is linked to hormonal imbalance and genetic predisposition. In practice determination of serum levels of sex hormone, is prerequisite for AGA diagnosis. Here, we retrospectively examined the serum levels of five sex hormones in patients with androgenic alopecia, compared to levels in those without alopecia. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted at Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University from January 2022 to February 2023. Serum levels of five sex hormones were analyzed in androgenic alopecia patients and non-alopecia controls. Results: A total of 78 cases, and 94 controls were analyzed. 47 (60.2%) of the cases were males, and the mean (±SD) age were 31.84±5.42 vs 27.23±7.05 years for the cases and controls respectively. 55.1% of cases had family history of alopecia. In males, Testosterone, and Estrogen were all significantly higher in cases than controls, (all p < 0.05), while Follicle stimulating hormone, and Luteinizing hormone were lower in cases than controls (all p < 0.05). In females, Testosterone and Prolactin were significantly higher in cases than controls (all p < 0.05), while Follicle stimulating hormone, and estrogen were significantly lower in cases than controls (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: High levels of Testosterone were observed in the alopecia patients compared to non-alopecia individuals in both genders, and this could be linked to the alopecia.

Keywords: Androgenic; Alopecia; Sex Hormones; Testosterone; Prolactin.