title: The levels of androgen in serum in female acne patients.
abstract: Twenty six female acne patients aged between 27 and 42 years were investigated. Blood samples were taken and radioimmunoassayble testosterone, androstenedione and DHEA-S were determined. Seven out of 26 patients (27%) had normal androgen serum levels. In 19 patients one or more androgen serum levels were elevated. DHEA-S (23%) alone and testosterone, androstenedione plus DHEA-S (15%) showed the greatest incidences of elevated levels. Testosterone and androstenedione, respectively, were elevated in 3 patients whereas DHEA-S alone was elevated in 6 patients. 71% with normal androgen serum levels and 72% of patients with elevated androgens presented with premenstrual or menstrual exacerbation of acne. In addition, patients with elevated testosterone, androstenedione or with all measured androgens elevated had menstrual disorders and premenstrual formation of therapy resistant big nodules in the chin area. Present data combine to suggest that the determination of androgens is of importance for the evaluation of acne patients.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Spona
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood*; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate