ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Androgenic alopecia is known to be androgen-dependent. Insulin is found in hair follicles and may play a role in the regulation of androgen metabolism and the hair-growth cycle. OBJECTIVES: To compare the insulin resistance between people with androgenic alopecia and a control group. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted with 97 cases in the patient and 87 in the control group. Serum fasting insulin level, fasting blood glucose, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were all measured in both groups. RESULTS: There was no difference in serum fasting insulin level, fasting blood glucose, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL and insulin resistance between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Despite previous reports suggesting a link, our study found no significant relationship between insulin resistance and androgenic alopecia. Further studies are warranted.
