RESUMO
BACKGROUND: It has been known that androgenetic alopecia in both male and female is due to the role of the androgen hormone in the hair follicle, but the level of the androgen hormone in the plasma is controversial in relation with the development of the alopecia. OBJECTIVE: We have tried the clarify if there is any or no difference in the plasma levels of the hormones between the normal female and the patient with alopecia, because the range of the plasma DHEA-S and total testosterone in the normal female is very wide. METHODS: Plasma levels if the hormones were examined in 22 patients with female androgenetic alopecia and 20 normal females. RESULTS: 1. In DHEA-S, 21(95.5%) aut of 22 female androgenetic alopecia patients were in the normal range while 20(100%) of the 20 normal females were all within the normal range. However the mean value of the hormone(88.89+101.41 g/dl) in the patient group was significantly higher than that(82.18+44.03 g/dl) of the normal group(p<0.05). 2. In total testosterone, 17(94.4%) out of the 18 patents were in the normal range while 20 (100%) of 20 normal females were all within the normal range. However the mean value of the hormone(0.22+0.20ng/ml) in the patient group was significantly higher than that(0.08+0.09ng/ml) of the normal group(p<0.05). 3. As for distribution of DIEA S according to the age, the value of the patient group was higher than that of the normal group in all age groups studied. In the distribution of total testosterone according to age, there was no difference between the normal and the patient in the twenties. After the twenties, the testosterone levels were higher in the patients than the normal females. CONCLUSION: There were significant differences in mean values of plasma DHEA-S and total testosterone between the patients and the normal females although individuals in both groups were largely wit,hin normal range of the hormones.