What does baldness have to do with the level of testosterone?

Dave Pearce

Bodybuilder for 20 years

What does baldness have to do with the level of testosterone?

It’s a complicated relationship, therefore it will need to be a fairly technical explanation, so bear with me.

Testosterone may contribute to a form of hair loss on the scalp known as androgenetic alopecia. This disorder is characterized by a progressive miniaturization of hair follicles, and a shortening of the anagen phase of hair growth, under androgen influence. The hair produced by affected follicles will progressively thin, covering the scalp less and less effectively. This will initially include a receding hairline and thinning on the crown, areas where androgen receptor concentrations are high.

Androgenetic alopecia is the most common form of hair loss in men and women alike. As its name signifies, it involves the interplay of both androgenic hormones and genetic factors. Individuals with this condition appear to be more locally sensitive to androgens and have higher levels of androgen receptor protein and dihydrotestosterone in the scalp, in comparison to those unaffected.

Although dihydrotestosterone is identified as the primary hormone involved in the progress of androgenetic alopecia, it does not possess a unique ability to influence this condition. All androgens stimulate the same receptor, and as a result are capable of providing the necessary androgenic stimulation. So baldness can be affected by any androgen, even in the absence of dihydrotestosterone.

Note: your body creates dihydrotestosterone from your testosterone (5–10%).

Bottom line - under the right genetic conditions, testosterone may accelerate baldness.