High levels of free testosterone are linked to baldness, also known as androgenic alopecia. This condition is caused by the sensitivity of hair follicles to the androgen hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which can lead to hair thinning and eventual hair loss. Treatment options include specialized shampoos, medications, and hair replacement therapy.
Medical science has established a link between high levels of free testosterone and baldness. In some cases, baldness, or alopecia, is caused by excessive amounts of argen hormones, including testosterone, in the body. When testosterone and baldness are linked, the condition is called androgynous alopecia. While the condition is mostly attributed to human males, it can also be an underlying cause of female hair loss. Testosterone and baldness can also be linked to other mammals such as chimpanzees, monkeys, gorillas and other animal species.
One of the most commonly recognized types of alopecia is male pattern baldness. While male pattern baldness has many different possible causes, the link between free testosterone and pattern baldness is one of the few scientifically proven theories. Many other theoretical causes of this type of baldness have been suggested, including muscle tension, stiffening of the scalp, genetics, and stress.
When hair loss is associated with elevated testosterone levels, the balding effect is a symptom of the increased sensitivity of the hair follicles to the androgen hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The condition is generally thought to be genetic, and sensitive hair follicles shrink as a reaction to exposure to testosterone. When follicles shrink, they are unable to produce normal growth or support existing hair, which results in hair thinning and eventual hair loss.
Testosterone is a naturally occurring hormone in both men and women. It works in conjunction with other hormones and body systems to produce male characteristics, sex drive, and hair growth. The bioavailability of this hormone is usually regulated by a sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) which binds to free testosterone, preventing it from being converted into DHT. When testosterone production becomes unbalanced by health issues, genetics, medications, or other factors, it can lead to elevated levels of free testosterone, and baldness can be an early symptom of the condition. Steroid use among athletes has also been attributed to the increase in testosterone levels associated with alopecia.
Treatment for hair loss due to the link between testosterone and baldness is sometimes effective in the early stages of the condition. Such treatments may include specialized shampoos and medications to stimulate hair growth. Other more advanced treatments have also been devised, including hair replacement therapy, in which healthy hair follicles are transplanted into balding areas to stimulate new growth. These treatments are usually expensive and are not always effective.
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