|
1991
Hormone studies in females with
androgenic hairloss.
Schmidt JB,
Lindmaier A,
Trenz A,
Schurz B,
Spona J
Abstract
Reports on hormone analysis in androgenic
hairloss in the
female show partly contradicting results. Elevated as well as
normal-range androgen levels have been found.
The present study
aimed at the investigation of a possibly more differentiated
hormonal constellation by hormone analysis and additional
determination of the hypophyseal level by the thyrotropin-releasing
hormone (TRH) test.
In 46 female patients with androgenic
hairloss blood
sampling for hormone analysis was performed. Determination of
the androgens testosterone (T), androstenedione (A),
dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), 17-hydroxy-progesterone
acetate (17-OHP) and free testosterone (FT), of
sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), estradiol (E2), cortisol
(F) and the hypophyseal luteinizing hormone (LH) and
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) was performed by standard
radioimmunoassay methods.
The TRH-test is based on feedback
mechanisms between the hypothalamic TRH which stimulates hypophyseal TSH and PRL release. Thus, even mild forms of
hypothyroidism or hyperprolactinaemia can be detected.
The
control group for the TRH test consisted of 45 volunteer females
without hairloss or
any other hormonal or menstrual disturbances. Statistical
analysis was performed according to the Wilcoxon two-sample
test.
The results of the study show no significant elevation of
androgens in females with androgenic
hairloss, but a more
complex condition with involvement of the glandula suprarenalis
and the hypophyseal level. Significantly elevated TSH levels
prior to and after TRH stimulation in the
hairloss group
indicate that hypothyroidism may be an important hormonal
disturbance in androgenic
hairloss.
Interactions between hypothyroidism and
androgen metabolism are possible at various links. |
