Navigation
Hair Loss News Archives
July 2010
Hormones and hair growth
Hair loss in a causal relationship to thyroid disorders is well documented
July 2010
With respect to the
relationship between
hormones and hair growth,
the role of androgens for
androgenetic alopecia (AGA)
and hirsutism is best
acknowledged.
Accordingly, therapeutic
strategies that intervene in
androgen metabolism have
been successfully developed
for treatment of these
conditions.
Clinical observations of
hair conditions involving
hormones beyond the androgen
horizon have determined
their role in regulation of
hair growth: estrogens,
prolactin, thyroid hormone,
cortisone, growth hormone (GH),
and melatonin.
Primary GH resistance is
characterized by thin hair,
while acromegaly may cause
hypertrichosis.
Hyperprolactinemia may cause
hair loss and hirsutism.
Partial synchronization of
the hair cycle in anagen
during late pregnancy points
to an estrogen effect, while
aromatase inhibitors cause
hair loss.
Hair loss in a causal
relationship to thyroid
disorders is well
documented. In contrast to
AGA, senescent alopecia
affects the hair in a
diffuse manner.
The question arises, whether
the hypothesis that a causal
relationship exists between
the age-related reduction of
circulating hormones and
organ function also applies
to hair and the aging of
hair.