Androgenetic alopecia

Androgenetic alopecia (also known as androgenic alopecia or alopecia androgenetica) is a common form of hair loss in both men and women. In men, this condition is also known as male-pattern baldness. Hair is lost in a well-defined pattern, beginning above both temples. Over time, the hairline recedes to form a characteristic "M" shape. Hair also thins at the crown (near the top of the head), often progressing to partial or complete baldness.

The pattern of hair loss in women differs from male-pattern baldness. In women, the hair becomes thinner all over the head, and the hairline does not recede. Androgenetic alopecia in women rarely leads to total baldness.

A variety of genetic and environmental factors likely play a role in causing androgenetic alopecia. Although researchers are studying risk factors that may contribute to this condition, most of these factors remain unknown. Researchers have determined that this form of hair loss is related to hormones called androgens, particularly an androgen called dihydrotestosterone. Androgens are important for normal male sexual development before birth and during puberty. Androgens also have other important functions in both males and females, such as regulating hair growth and sex drive.

Medical conditions which correlate with androgenetic alopecia

Androgenetic alopecia in men has been associated with several other medical conditions including coronary heart disease and enlargement of the prostate. Additionally, prostate cancer, disorders of insulin resistance (such as diabetes and obesity), and high blood pressure (hypertension) have been related to androgenetic alopecia. Notably, the link between androgenetic alopecia and metabolic syndrome is strongest in non-obese men. (See Low sex hormone-binding globulin, total testosterone, and symptomatic androgen deficiency are associated with development of the metabolic syndrome in nonobese men.) Medically increasing DHT levels can exacerbate the balding process, but has not been shown to worsen metabolic syndrome indicating that androgen levels are not the link between the two conditions. In women, androgenetic alopecia is associated with an increased risk of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is characterized by a hormonal imbalance that can lead to irregular menstruation, acne, excess body hair (hirsutism), and weight gain.

Hair loss and genetics

Researchers suspect that several genes inherited from both parents play a role in androgenetic alopecia, and paternal hair loss has been shown to correlate with chances of alopecia in sons while variations in the Androgen Receptor gene (AR), which can correlate with baldness, are X linked and thus inherited from one's maternal grandfather or grandmother. Androgen receptors allow the body to respond appropriately to dihydrotestosterone and other androgens. Studies suggest that variations in the AR gene lead to increased activity of androgen receptors in hair follicles. It remains unclear, however, how these genetic changes increase the risk of patterned hair loss in men and women with androgenetic alopecia.

The inheritance pattern of androgenetic alopecia is unclear because many genetic and environmental factors are likely to be involved. This condition tends to cluster in families, however, and having a close relative with patterned hair loss appears to be a risk factor for developing the condition.

Hormone levels correlated with androgenetic alopecia

Men with androgenic alopecia typically have lower levels of total testosterone, higher levels of unbound/free testosterone, and higher levels of total free androgens including DHT.(See Hormonal profile of men with premature balding. and Serum androgens: associations with prostate cancer risk and hair patterning.)

5-alpha reductase is responsible for converting free testosterone into DHT. The genes for 5-Alpha reductase are known (See Androgenic correlates of genetic variation in the gene encoding 5alpha-reductase type 1.) The enzymes are present predominantly in the scalp and prostate. Levels of 5alpha-reductase are one factor in determining levels of DHT in the scalp and drugs which interfere with 5-alpha reductase (such as finasteride, which inhibits the predominant type 2 isoform ) have been approved by the FDA as treatments for hair loss.

Sex hormone binding globulin, which is responsible for binding testosterone and preventing its bioavailability and conversion to DHT, is typically lower in individuals with high DHT. SHBG is downregulated by insulin.

Increased levels of Insulin Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) have been correlated to vertex balding (See Hormones and hair patterning in men: a role for insulin-like growth factor 1?)

High insulin levels seem the likely link between metabolic syndrome and baldness. Low levels of SHBG in men and non-pregnant women are also correlated with glucose intolerance and diabetes risk, though this correlation disappears during pregnancy. (See Is sex hormone-binding globulin associated with glucose tolerance?)

Hair loss and lifestyle

While genetic factors play a strong role in the development and progression of androgenetic alopecia, lifestyle also plays a role as demonstrated by the vast increase in male pattern baldness in Japan when the country moved to a higher calorie, higher fat diet and a more sedentary lifestyle.

Daily, vigorous aerobic exercise (as opposed to short workout periods designed to raise androgen levels and build muscle or more sporadic exercise) and a diet which is adequate yet more moderate in terms of fat/total calorie intake have been shown to reduce baseline insulin levels as well as baseline total and free testosterone, significantly lowering baseline DHT. (See Relationship between stress hormones and testosterone with prolonged endurance exercise.)

Treatments

While many people with male pattern baldness choose to accept the condition, there are baldness treatments which can reduce or halt hair loss, and in rare cases reverse it entirely.

People with the condition

• British comedy actor Matt Lucas, best known for his acclaimed work with David Walliams in the television sketch show Little Britain.
• British television presenter Gail Porter, who became widely known after presenting Fully Booked in the late 1990s.

References

PubMed - A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health My NCBI

Bibliography

• NLM- Genetics Home Reference

External Links

• Medical Treatments for Balding Men: April 1999, American Family Physician (medical journal)
• Battle Against Bald Seth Garon's blog documenting his experience to overcome baldness through a hair transplant procedure.
• How Hair Replacement Works Covers oral medications, hair transplant surgery, and topical treatments.
• Alopecia UK

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