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What Causes Hair Loss In A Patient With Insulin Resistance?

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Posted on Fri, 17 Jul 2015
Question: I was recently dx w insulin resistance and "mild" pcos. Ive read it can cause hair loss which I have not experienced. Which of these hormones causes then hair loss/baldness symptom. Am I at risk given my labs?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Richa Agarwal (17 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes you are at risk.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
Thanks for trusting hcm about your health care.
I can understand your concerns.
I have gone through your reports and your DHEA-S levels are high.
It is male androgen hormone and give you a hair growth pattern like male, means more hair grgrowth on face, back, abdomen (hirsutism) and hair loss( called alopecia ).
So as you are having high level of this hormone, you are at risk of hair loss.
But lifestyle changes plays a very important role in your case and if you loss weight than it may decrease your DHEA level and decrease the chances of hair loss.
Metformin is useful in reducing weight and increases sensitivity of insulin.
So you can start it after consulting your treating doctor.
Hope it is useful, feel free to ask more questions.
Good luck.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Richa Agarwal (5 minutes later)
I am on 1000mg metformin will that lower dhea?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Richa Agarwal (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Yes,it can lower the level.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
Sorry for the long delay in my response.
Yes, metformin can decrease androgen level( DHEA) by decreasing insulin resistance and decreasing weight.
But it works different at different doses, so in my opinion the dose should be 1500mg.
Please take it after consulting your treating physician.
Hope found useful.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Richa Agarwal (41 minutes later)
How does it work differently at different doses?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Richa Agarwal (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Due to mechanism of action.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
Sorry for the long delay in my response.
Exact mechanism of action is unknown but studies shows that weight in PCOD patients having high DHEA level can only be reduced by metformin at the dose more than 1000 mg/ day.
As the increased weight is the culprit for high DHEA level, so when weight decreases than DHEA also decreases.
Metformin at these doses may reduce resistance to insulin and treat hyperinsulinemia( which is also responsible for high DHEA level).
So in my opinion that is the reason why we prescribed metformin at this doses to treat PCOD and high DHEA level.
Hope it is useful, if want to clarify more I am here to help you.
Good luck
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Richa Agarwal (7 hours later)
What is my risk of lactic acidosis on this medicine
doctor
Answered by Dr. Richa Agarwal (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You are at low risk.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,

The risk of lactic acidosis are low in your case, as you have normal liver and kidney function ( presumed) .
Lactic acidosis is not a very common side effect of metformin but yes it can occur in patients with overdose of drug with impaired liver and renal function because it is usually excreated by liver and if liver function impaired than excreted by kidney.
Hope it is helpful.
Good luck.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Richa Agarwal (6 hours later)
I have been on 500mg for two weeks and am supposed to up the dose to 1000mg soon. So far I have noticed I feel fuller with less food and for longer. I also had my first normal period in a while. Are these normal reactions?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Richa Agarwal (36 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes,this is normal reaction.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
These are the common side effects of metformin and resolve in few weeks.
It can cause fullness of stomach,belching,abdominal pain, diarrhoea etc.
It may regulate your period also by inducing ovulation and reducing weight.
Hope it is useful.
Good luck.
Regards
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Richa Agarwal

OB & GYN Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 4031 Questions

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What Causes Hair Loss In A Patient With Insulin Resistance?

Brief Answer: Yes you are at risk. Detailed Answer: Hello dear, Thanks for trusting hcm about your health care. I can understand your concerns. I have gone through your reports and your DHEA-S levels are high. It is male androgen hormone and give you a hair growth pattern like male, means more hair grgrowth on face, back, abdomen (hirsutism) and hair loss( called alopecia ). So as you are having high level of this hormone, you are at risk of hair loss. But lifestyle changes plays a very important role in your case and if you loss weight than it may decrease your DHEA level and decrease the chances of hair loss. Metformin is useful in reducing weight and increases sensitivity of insulin. So you can start it after consulting your treating doctor. Hope it is useful, feel free to ask more questions. Good luck. Regards