Circulating testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin and prolactin in women with late onset or persistent acne vulgaris.
Serum testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and prolactin were measured in thirty-eight women with acne which persisted or started after the age of 18 years. One or more of these levels were abnormal in 76% of patients. Increased testosterone or low SHBG were present alone or in combination in 60% of patients. This group was presumed to have a raised level of non-protein bound, metabolically-available testosterone. Hyperprolactinaemia, which was present in 45% of patients, may be important in view of the reported association with increased adrenal androgens. The hormonal abnormalities may be causally related to the acne and a greater understanding of them may lead to better treatment.
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000097:blood*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D011388:Prolactin