Baldness is a problem that affects almost every person, however, the reasons may be absolutely different. Usually, the main subjects of discussion are genetics, age, and stress, but very often among those are taken into consideration the levels of hormones, especially testosterone. Testosterone is one of the most significant hormones within the body, which maintains healthy bones, big muscular mass, and a healthy scalp. But is hair loss due to a testosterone deficiency? The blog throws light on the relationship between testosterone and hair loss as one finds out the science behind it.

 

Understanding Testosterone

 

What Is Testosterone?

This is one of those hormones that are produced much more in the testes of men than in the ovaries of women. The said hormone has great relevance with male development, affecting facial and body growth of hair, deepening one's voice, and building up muscle mass. It is through testosterone, however, that in females, women will derive their muscle strength, their libido, and generally how it makes them feel.


The Role Of Testosterone In Hair Growth

Testosterone interacts with androgen receptors of hair-producing follicles to make an impact on hair growth cycles when it gets converted to an active androgen such as dihydrotestosterone. The sensitive relation, therefore, is affected by the levels of one's hormones and genetic makeup.

 

The Relationship Of Low Testosterone To Hair Loss

 

How Does Testosterone Affect Hair?

While testosterone in itself is not the cause of balding, its conversion to DHT promotes the very same condition. High levels of DHT have been known to shrink hair follicles and cause alopecia, more correctly referred to as androgenetic alopecia or even male-pattern baldness. These types of alopecia often present themselves with receding lines and thinning at the top of the scalp.


What is essential to understand, however, is that low levels of this hormone alone cannot lead to hair loss. The relationship between low levels of testosterone and hair loss is rather slightly more complex.

 

Low Testosterone And Hair Loss: The Myth

The most generalized myth is that low testosterone is a factor in causing hair loss. High amounts of DHT and not low testosterone are more affectionate to hair loss. A person with low testosterone will always display symptoms of fatigue, reduced mass of muscles and a low sex drive but never a loss of hair.

 

When Low Testosterone Might Be Causing Hair Loss

While low testosterone has nothing to do with the direct causation of hair loss, it creates paths for other health conditions which may affect the health of the hair. For example,

 

Nutritional Deficiencies

The reduction in overall muscle mass due to low testosterone is accompanied by a decline in overall health and hence nutrition. Hair loss and its thinning arise due to poor diet.

 

Stress And Hormonal Imbalance

Low testosterone increases your stress level and your hormonal imbalance, two causes of hair loss. Telogen effluvium has been associated with chronic stress from which hair shedding has been noted to be excessive.

 

Thyroid Disorder

Thyroid disorder sometimes has been linked with low levels of testosterone, and low levels of testosterone with hair loss.


View More: Hair Loss in Women Causes Treatment And Prevention


High Testosterone And Hair Loss

 

The DHT Link

DHT, as said earlier, is a by-product of testosterone breakdown and DHT is one of the major culprits for thinning hair. People with high levels of testosterone will have more DHT, thus making it a big possibility of having androgenetic alopecia. It's in the genes, and one can acquire this from any parent. Men who show more sensitivity towards DHT may even be able to start seeing hair loss in their 20's.

 

Hair Thinning In Women And Testosterone

While DHT is perhaps best known for causing baldness in men, androgenetic alopecia can also be caused in women by excessively high levels of testosterone. Along with thinning on the scalp, an overabundance of testosterone in women's bodies can cause facial and body hair to grow in women suffering from conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS.

 

What To Do About Hair Loss Caused By Testosterone?

 

Medical Treatments

Following are some of the medicinal treatments for hair loss due to high levels of DHT: Topical minoxidil solution is a form of Rogaine applied on the head in order to stop hair loss and to stimulate the growth of hair. In oral form, finasteride slows down-and sometimes cures hair loss by reducing the amount of DHT on the scalp. DHT Blockers: These are vitamins and shampoos that block DHT; they may or may not always work.

 

Changes in Lifestyle

Along with medication, some changes in life may reduce hair fall or even lead to hair growth. These are as follows:

 

  • Healthy Diet: It may be important to supplement the iron, zinc, and biotin which provide a much-needed boost for hair growth.
  • Reduction of Stress: The practice of yoga meditation, and regular exercises to relieve stress may prevent hair fall caused by unnecessary stress.
  • Proper Hair Care: Hair is supposed to be treated nicely and not harshly using chemicals. Moreover, the hairs are to be kept safe from excess heat and sun. 
  • HRT: In the cases of low testosterone, the doctor may even prescribe hormone replacement therapy. It will help in bringing an endocrine balance which may reduce all the associated symptoms of low testosterone. However, HRT has some side effects in which higher risks for certain cancers and cardiovascular diseases hence the benefits and the risks need to be weighed by a healthcare professional.

 

Conclusion

That the levels of testosterone and hair loss are not exactly proportional. Low testosterone is extremely famous for being not a direct factor in baldness. On the other hand, it could be common to promote hair thinning and loss and thus important to determine the implication of hormonal imbalance, namely in view of testosterone and its metabolites like DHT for further control and cure.


With just how widespread hair loss is in men, it only makes sense that men would seek out a dermatologist or physician to get to the root of their condition. Regardless if the cause is due to high DHT, low testosterone, or something entirely else, the loss can be treated if not reversed by a personalized mixture of medication, lifestyle changes, and proper hair care.


Please book an appointment with the Best Dermatologist in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, or call our helpline at 03171777509 to find the verified doctor for your disease.