Interesting Article on Testosterone/FPB

[garthbrooks]

I found this on the Male's Open Topic a few weeks ago.


"Production rates of testosterone and of DHT"
Testosterone may be more important than DHT in balding women.

Metabolism. 2003 Jul;52(7) 27-929. Related Articles, Links

Production rates of testosterone and of dihydrotestosterone in female pattern hair loss.

Vierhapper H, Maier H, Nowotny P, Waldhausl W.

Production rates of testosterone (T) and of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) were determined in young women (n = 8, age, 23 to 40 years) with female-pattern hair loss using the stable isotope dilution technique and mass spectrometry. 1alpha,2alpha-d-testosterone and 2,3,4-(13)C-dihydro-testosterone were infused for 10 hours at a dose of 2 microg/h each and blood samples were obtained at 20-minute intervals during the last 4 hours of the observation period. In the presence of normal metabolic clearance rates (MCRs), production rates of T were increased (9.4 +/- 5.0 microg/h; normal, 4.3 +/- 1.9 microg/h, P <.05). MCRs of DHT (8.0 +/- 3.4 L/h; normal, 25.9 +/- 12.3 L/h, P <.002) were subnormal in all women and the production rates of DHT were within or below the normal range (mean, 1.6 +/- 0.6 microg/h; normal, 2.9 +/- 1.1 microg/h, P <.02). Unlike men with male-pattern baldness, women with female-pattern baldness are characterized by increased production rates of T, but not of DHT. These results are compatible with the idea that 5alpha-reductase inhibition is of no therapeutical value in female-pattern baldness.

 

[lentara]

Forgive my ignorance but if that is accurate then what would be our best treatment options?

 

[Humpty Dumpty]

>>>Unlike men with male-pattern baldness, women with female-pattern baldness are characterized by increased production rates of T, but not of DHT. These results are compatible with the idea that 5alpha-reductase inhibition is of no therapeutical value in female-pattern baldness.

Ho ho. Maybe they'd like to meet me. I am the exception who could prove them wrong. :moon:

 

[The Gardener]

From what I read in this article, what they are implying is that unlike men, it is not DHT that causes female pattern hair loss but higher than average levels of testosterone. This would imply that the methods used by some men to treat Male Pattern Baldness, specifically suppression of DHT, would not be effective in women. DHT suppressants include Finasteride (Propecia), Sprinolactone, and the Azelaic Acid part of Xandrox.

This would, if correct, imply that Minoxidil and or some sort of testosterone reduction therapy would be the most effective method.

 

[Humpty Dumpty]

>>>From what I read in this article, what they are implying is that unlike men, it is not DHT that causes female pattern hair loss but higher than average levels of testosterone.

In that case, they definitely need to meet me. Completely normal androgen levels, no history of female OR male pattern baldness on either side of the family, was diagnosed 2 and a half years ago at the age of 22 and a charitable estimate says I'll be more or less completely bald on the scalp in a year or so's time. I wonder whether Finasteride would work on me: does anyone know whether its ever prescribed to pre-menopausal women?

 

[lentara]

Thanks, Gardener.
Humpty...wow. I don't know what to say except that really sucks!
Sorry I have no answer on the finasteride.

 

[Humpty Dumpty]

>>>Humpty...wow. I don't know what to say except that really sucks!

Yes, it does rather, doesnt it? But then, my poor mother always said I never did anything by halfs. :lol: My dermo has volunteered me for conference guinea pig at the next dermo knees up. I'll ask them about the finasteride and report back. They're talking of putting me on the oral Spiroloctane. Unfortunately I'm from Britain where the only product that has actually been licensed for female baldness is Minoxidil (on account of there being six pence in the company coffers given over to clinical trials).

 

[SadMom]

I read a lot about progesterone levels in women, and how when they are too low, it allows estrogen to become too high (in proportion, not necessarily lab levels) and allows androgens to produce unchecked, which can also be a problem. I also have *normal* blood work. But horomone levels in women fluctuate a lot. And it's possible that it's the overall balance of all these levels, rather than each level in a lab value that matters.

I believe I have a lot of symptoms of low progesterone. And I'm trying to use progesterone cream along with some other things to rebalance my horomone levels. I don't believe it makes sense that males and females lose hair for exactly the same reason. Because horomonally we are so different. So, this article makes sense to me. Which also is why it's *normal* for men to lose their hair, but it's really not *normal* for women, especially premenopausal women.

Does it make sense to anyone else besides me to treat women's hairloss from the inside out, rather than the outside in? I could be totally wrong, and therefore hairless in a short time by following this logic, but it's what seems right to me.

 

[The Gardener]

Lentara, and Humpty,

I wouldn't necessarily alter your treatment (or your hope) based on just this one paragraph. There are any number of studies that are out there that often times say conflicting things or things that later turn out to be not true. Sometimes it takes several studies looking at a problem from many different directions before the pieces can be put together into firm medical opinion.

Keep on keepin on

 

[lentara]

I'm sticking to what I'm doing right now. Sometimes, there's just too much info being thrown at you and you have to try to stay the course.
Even when it's frustrating as hell. :-x so as Gardener says I'm gonna keep on keepin on.
SadMom,
I do know what you mean by working the inside out. I'm on spironolactone for the inside, minoxidil for the outside, and considering going on Yasmin bcp.
I think every case of hair loss is individual be it male or female.
Well, Humpty, at least you can be proud of the fact that when you go to it...it's all or nothing! :lol: Seriously, though, hope all goes well for you.

 

[Guest]

Some Info

Hi, I'm new to the board but wanted to respond after reading the e-mails in this last subject. I'm 29 and have always had thin hair on the top of my head and very thick brown curly hair everywhere else. This summer when I got out of the pool and saw my reflection I saw just how thin it looked - and it really scared me. I had to go on anti-depressants to calm my anxiety. I truly felt like a freak and thought that everyone who saw me was looking at my hair - or shall I say my lack of hair. So, I started researching and got the necessary blood tests done. The results also were normal. But, I saw a dorctor named Redmond in NYC and I feel a lot more hopeful. He is an endocrinologsit who specializes in female hormone issues - he is well known in the industry. Here's the sum of what he said - most female hairloss is caused by hormonal issues. He looked at my labs and said although my testosterone was a 51 (normal for women is below 70), women should be around a 40. My husband and I will be trying to conceive over the next few months, so I cannot go on meds now, but he said that later I should go on oral spironolactone and yasmin to block the testosterone. He said he has had great success using this combo. He said that pregnancy is great for hair and by going on these meds directly afterward will hopefully hold hormone levels in a positive way and benefit hair - at least stop the shed. So, ladies - there is hope. Good luck and lots of hair to us all!

 

[SadMom]

I'm glad to hear that this Dr. feels that you can hang on to what you gain in hair during a pregnancy. I'm considering another pregnancy, and know it might help my hair, but could be even worse afterwards. Unless I find something to help me hang on to it afterwards, which is what I'm working on.

Does this Dr. have a theory as to WHY some women produce too much testosterone? I can't seem to get at the why part of this. And maybe it doesn't matter. But I can't help but think it's a clue or part of the puzzle.

Julie

 

[Guest]

Sadmom - Dr. Redmond did not say why some people have higher testosterone than others, I would assume that it is based on your genetic makeup, which of course is individual to each person. If in fact you do conceive another baby, you may want to talk with your dcotor about going on spironolactone/yasmin afterwards to help block the Testosterone. That's what I was told to do - ask your Dr. - it can't hurt and hell, maybe it Will help! Good luck!