Prevalence of Low Serum Vitamin D Levels in Patients Presenting With Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review.

Zainab Zubair,Suchitra Muralidharan,Krishi Jalla,Ketan Kantamaneni,Vijaya Lakshmi Yanamala,Mahvish Renzu,Michael Alfonso,Rahul Jena,Ruchi Jain

doi:10.7759/cureus.20431

Abstract

The role of vitamin D receptor (VDR) has been well established and extensively studied in the hair cycle. Its deficiency is also closely linked to several types of alopecia, including alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, and androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Since there is limited research on the correlation between androgenetic alopecia and low serum vitamin D levels, our review aims to find relevant articles and comprehensively present them. A review of the literature was performed to gain insight into AGA. Specifically, PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched to identify any relevant articles with a focus on androgenetic alopecia, male pattern baldness, and serum vitamin D levels. References within the included articles were also reviewed and taken into the study if found appropriate. All articles that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed for demographics, clinical, laboratory, radiographic, treatment, and outcomes data. We found 13 relevant studies that elucidated the relationship between low serum vitamin D levels and androgenetic alopecia and included them in the review. We concluded that serum vitamin D might be a possible parameter for diagnosing the onset and severity of AGA. Vitamin D supplementation has proven to be useful in the regrowth of hair in non-human subjects. Vitamin D could be a valid therapeutic approach, such as topical vitamin D (calcipotriol) seems to be a good treatment option to regrow hair follicles and prevent miniaturization of follicles due to androgenetic alopecia.

Highlights

BackgroundAlopecia refers to the loss of hair from any part of the body
We found 13 relevant studies that elucidated the relationship between low serum vitamin D levels and androgenetic alopecia and included them in the review
From our review of available literature, we can conclude that in healthy male subjects presenting with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and who are not suffering from any systemic illness leading to AGA, serum vitamin D levels are an important parameter for diagnosis and possible treatment

Summary

Introduction

BackgroundAlopecia refers to the loss of hair from any part of the body. There are two main types of alopecia; scarring and non-scarring. AGA is the most common type of progressive hair loss [2]. It is defined as androgen-related progressive thinning of hair in a defined pattern [3]. AGA is further divided into two types: male and female pattern hair loss. Both have different patterns but are the most common types of baldness in both genders [4]. The Hamilton classification system describes the predominant course in men as a receding frontal hairline with bitemporal hair loss that merges with vertex thinning [5]. Male pattern hair loss has become increasingly prevalent among younger populations. Hair thinning results from the testosterone metabolite (dihydrotestosterone) acting on androgen-sensitive hair follicles [9]

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