Low T Center Low T Center
Find a Location

Find a Location

Use My Current Location

    Do You Fully Understand Your Male Pattern Baldness?

    Posted: August 6, 2015

    Men face a host of physical changes as they approach middle age: loss of lean muscle, weight gain, hearing and eyesight loss, weathered skin, and thinning hair. The latter is one of the first things associated with aging, and it is so commonplace that most men don’t even think to consider a cure or alternative.

    However, new research has begun to pinpoint exactly what happens in the scalp when men start to lose their hair, and a cure or effective treatment may be closer than we think.

    Many men who go bald experience the first signs in their teens or early 20s. Regardless of how early hair loss begins, about 80 percent of men experience some hair loss by the age of 70.

    Recent research conducted on laboratory mice has found levels of a key protein called prostaglandin D synthase are elevated in the cells of hair follicles located in bald patches on the scalp, but not in hairy areas. Mice bred to have high levels of the protein went completely bald, while transplanted human hairs stopped growing when given the protein.

    Professor George Cotsarelis of the department of dermatology, who led the research, says, “Essentially we showed that prostaglandin protein was elevated in the bald scalp of men and that it inhibited hair growth, so we have identified a target for treating male baldness. Our next step would be to screen for compounds that affect this receptor and to also find out whether blocking that receptor would reverse balding or prevent balding.”

    The research also concludes that the male hormone testosterone plays a key role as well. Low levels of testosterone cause the hair follicles to shrink, eventually becoming so small that they are invisible, exacerbating the appearance of baldness. If you think your thinning hair may be the result of low testosterone, it is time to find your nearest Low T Center and get your numbers checked.

    Related Posts

    Disclaimer: This article is made available for general, entertainment and educational purposes only. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Low T Center. You should always seek the advice of a licensed healthcare professional.