Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Remedy For Excessive Facial Hair And Thinning On The Scalp
Question: Hello,
I am 23 years old and have excessive facial and body hair but i am thinning in the middle front of my scalp. I also cant to seem to lose weight in my stomach area. I usually lose weight in my legs and thighs first. Is this a hormone issue?
I am 23 years old and have excessive facial and body hair but i am thinning in the middle front of my scalp. I also cant to seem to lose weight in my stomach area. I usually lose weight in my legs and thighs first. Is this a hormone issue?
Brief Answer:
Hirsutism
Detailed Answer:
The medical term to describe excessive hair in a male pattern distribution in females is Hirsutism.
This can be due to various reasons, including hormonal conditions.
Excess male hormone levels of Testosterone, Androstenedione and DHEAS can cause hirsutism.
An early morning blood test for these along with
SHBG
Albumin
17 hydroxy progesterone
will help to understand if you have this problem
SHBG stands for Sex Hormone Binding Globulin.
The reason to test for this is to indirectly calculate the Free Testosterone levels in your blood, with the help of Albumin levels. Free online calculators are available for this purpose.
Free Testosterone gives a better idea as to whether the excess of male hormone levels (testosterone) is actually reliable.
Blood tests for Free testosterone are also available but unless they are performed by the 'Equilibrium Dialysis' method, the results are not accurate.
Furthermore, when I see a patient in my practice presenting with complaints like yours I also tend to order the following blood tests (after a thorough physical examination):
CBC
CMP
TSH
Free T4
Prolactin
Moreover, if your menstrual cycles are irregular, then one needs to consider the possibility of PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). Further testing and physical examination are required to make this diagnosis correctly.
Regarding your question about gaining weight in your stomach area, I would like to advise you that it is becoming an increasingly common problem worldwide. It is referred to as central adiposity. The exact reasons why it occurs in some individuals and not others is not fully understood.
It has been shown to be a risk factor for many chronic conditions like diabetes and prediabetes among other problems.
There is a rare hormonal disease called Cushings syndrome which can also cause this. There are several tests to screen for this. I suggest you see an Endocrinologist in person to consider getting tested for this. One example of such a test is a midnight salivary cortisol.
Hirsutism
Detailed Answer:
The medical term to describe excessive hair in a male pattern distribution in females is Hirsutism.
This can be due to various reasons, including hormonal conditions.
Excess male hormone levels of Testosterone, Androstenedione and DHEAS can cause hirsutism.
An early morning blood test for these along with
SHBG
Albumin
17 hydroxy progesterone
will help to understand if you have this problem
SHBG stands for Sex Hormone Binding Globulin.
The reason to test for this is to indirectly calculate the Free Testosterone levels in your blood, with the help of Albumin levels. Free online calculators are available for this purpose.
Free Testosterone gives a better idea as to whether the excess of male hormone levels (testosterone) is actually reliable.
Blood tests for Free testosterone are also available but unless they are performed by the 'Equilibrium Dialysis' method, the results are not accurate.
Furthermore, when I see a patient in my practice presenting with complaints like yours I also tend to order the following blood tests (after a thorough physical examination):
CBC
CMP
TSH
Free T4
Prolactin
Moreover, if your menstrual cycles are irregular, then one needs to consider the possibility of PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). Further testing and physical examination are required to make this diagnosis correctly.
Regarding your question about gaining weight in your stomach area, I would like to advise you that it is becoming an increasingly common problem worldwide. It is referred to as central adiposity. The exact reasons why it occurs in some individuals and not others is not fully understood.
It has been shown to be a risk factor for many chronic conditions like diabetes and prediabetes among other problems.
There is a rare hormonal disease called Cushings syndrome which can also cause this. There are several tests to screen for this. I suggest you see an Endocrinologist in person to consider getting tested for this. One example of such a test is a midnight salivary cortisol.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Yes, I do have irregular cycles. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
I see. It is likely you have PCOS. However, a proper diagnosis requires a systematic evaluation to rule out other possibilities.
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
I see. It is likely you have PCOS. However, a proper diagnosis requires a systematic evaluation to rule out other possibilities.
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
