I Have Normal Testosterone Levels but Also Thinning Hair - Why?'

Name: Ashley

Question: I had my testosterone levels measured and they are normal but I also have thinning hair which I believe is due to Male Pattern Baldness. How can this happen if my testosterone levels are normal?

Answer: Hi, Ashley. The old adage that says Male Pattern Baldness is due to an excess of testosterone is actually a popular myth.

Hereditary hair loss and testosterone levels in men are not as related as you may think.

Male Pattern Baldness is essentially written in your genes, insofar as you are either genetically predisposed to it or you are not. If you are, it means you have an inherited sensitivity to the testosterone by-product dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Whether your testosterone levels are normal or raised, you are still prone to this type of hair loss.

Logic would suggest that the more testosterone you have in your body, the more DHT there is as a result. This is not actually the case, however. Researchers believe that, when it comes to male pattern hairloss, it is not a question of how much testosterone there is present in the body, but more how sensitive you are to it that dictates factors such as the extent of the shedding and the speed at which you lose your hair.

One indirect link between testosterone levels and hair loss that is possibly worth being mindful of is a common cause of thinning hair: stress.

If testosterone levels are consistently abnormal - too high or too low - it is important to find out why. Whatever is causing the problem, for instance congenital adrenal hyperplasia, anabolic steroid use or liver problems as a result of over-use, can place excessive strain on the body. This type of stress can, in turn, exacerbate existing Male Pattern Baldness, trigger underlying cases where signs had not yet presented, or cause temporary hair loss from a condition known as Telogen Effluvium.

If you are worried about losing your hair, we recommend having a consultation with a specialist who, following an assessment, can provide you with a professional diagnosis. Additionally, if appropriate, they can also recommend the hair loss treatments best suited to your specific situation and medical profile.

There are two clinically-proven medications MHRA-licensed and FDA-approved to treat male pattern baldness. These are topical applications of high strength minoxidil, which actively encourages hair growth, and one-a-day tablets of finasteride 1mg. This is a DHT-blocker, which can be taken by medically-suitable men aged 18 years and over, to inhibit the formation of dihydrotestosterone, allowing the hair to grow unhindered.

Additional hair growth supporting products can be used alongside either or both of these established treatments and can be discussed during your consultation, whether this takes place online or in-person at a dedicated hair loss clinic.