Does testosterone cause hair loss?

Among men, your testicles make a hormone known as testosterone. The rate at which this hormone is made increases sizably during the time of puberty. Testosterone is linked to level of libido as well as to the production of sperm cells. Level of testosterone has an impact on your muscular mass and bone health. In men, this can also influence how fast are stored in your system. Production of this hormone however starts dipping once you reach early-30s. Does testosterone cause hair loss? It is a useful thing to know more.

In men, normal levels of testosterone range between 300 to 1,050 nanograms per deciliter (ng / dL). In case of women, it hovers between 15 – 70 ng / dL. Among females, their ovaries help make testosterone; but the quantum made in women is usually very low. Among males, if testosterone drops below 300 ng / dL, your treating doctor will aim to determine the underlying reasons. Lower levels of testosterone are a sign of problems in your pituitary gland.

Boys in their teens – with sizable secretion of this enzyme – may attain puberty at an earlier stage. Women with a marked increase of testosterone may display man-like features and development. High production among males can be due to disorders in adrenal gland; it is also indicative of cancers in your testicles.

Conditions that lead to higher level of testosterone production include polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), tumors in testicles or ovaries, congenital adrenal hyperplasia (in short, CAH), etc. Of these, PCOS shows up when ovaries make testosterone in excessive levels. Women with PCOS tend to see an increase in body weight, presence of excessive hair on your body, etc.

On a related note, tumors in ovaries or testicles can also lead to an increase production of this sex hormone. Lastly, CAH causes enzyme-shortage in your adrenal system. Enzymes of this system help manage stresses. High testosterone a common outcome of adrenal gland-related disorders.

Does high testosterone cause hair loss?

High level of testosterone is not closely associated with loss of scalp hair. Instead, it is the sensitivity of follicles that causes hair loss. This factor is influenced by genetic triggers. Those with hypersensitive follicles tend to witness hair-loss, with even lesser levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It is made of testosterone and is seen in prostate, hair and skin.

Treatment plans are issued to reduce the level of DHT in your system. DHT is essentially an androgen, and is known to tender manly characteristics like deeper voice, increase in muscular mass, excessive body-hair, etc. It is only ~ 9% of testosterone is made into DHT. An enzyme called 5 – alpha reductase (5 – AR) helps in this conversion.

Does low testosterone cause hair loss?

Low level of testosterone may cause a few adverse effects. Loss of scalp hair is one among them. Undesired effects also include reduction in muscle-mass and increase in fats. Among men, low level of testosterone can also trigger mental conditions like mood shifts, ability to remain focused, etc.

Men may produce low testosterone owing to injuries sustained in testicles, renal dysfunction, treatment for management of tumors, being overweight, conditions affecting your pituitary gland, etc. Your caregiving team will administer a few tests to detect parameters such as blood-prolactin levels, serum-testosterone and levels of luteinizing-hormone.

Conditions relating to testosterone are treated through replacement therapies. Such therapies are often administered for the long-term. You are not advised to stop the treatment plan in the interim; discontinuation may lead to changes in levels of sex hormones. Stopping replacement therapy suddenly can cause acne, drop in the count of sperm cells, shrinking of testicles, enlargement of prostate, etc.

You are advised to stay aware of the likely side effects of low or high testosterone. In order to know more about does testosterone cause hair loss, it is highly recommended to consult with your caregiving team.

Disclaimer

Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug.