Androgen Sensitivity Genetic Test for Women With Hair Loss
October 05, 2010
Can we better predict off-label treatment success in female hair loss if we use genetic testing?
Propecia (finasteride) is the most-commonly prescribed treatment for men with male pattern hair loss, but when tested scientifically on women with hair loss, the published data was contradictory. Some studies showed that finasteride was of no benefit for women, but yet several anecdotal reports in the literature appeared which seemed to show that there was some improvement in some female patients.
Over the years at Bauman Medical Group, we've noticed that some women with hair loss who were prescribed Propecia(finasteride) certainly tend to improve while others do not. Recently, genetic hair loss testing for men has been able to more accurately predict their chances of responding to Propecia (finasteride), so why not a similar test for women?
A recent discussion with the company who created HairDX, the first non-invasive genetic tests for hair loss, has revealed that pilot studies on women looking specifically at "androgen sensitivity" have been successful in predicting the chances of successful treatment with Propecia (finasteride). Identifying the certain populaton of women suffering from hair loss who also have a high degree of androgen sensitivity can help determine which women are more likely to benefit from medical therapy. More details regarding the "Androgen Sensitivity Genetic Test For Women" are forthcoming.
Propecia/Finasteride blocks the creation of dihydroestosterone (DHT), a potent androgen found in both men and women and also the known trigger for male pattern hair loss. Keep in mind that Propecia is FDA-approved for men only and is contraindicated in women of childbearing age due to the potential risk to a developing male fetus. Use of finasteride in women would be an 'off label' prescription.
For more information on Propecia / Finasteride in the treatment of female hair loss and the NEW Androgen Sensitivity Genetic Test, please contact Dr. Alan J. Bauman at 561-394-0024 or [email protected]
Dr. Alan J. Bauman, M.D.