Hirsutism refers to excess hair growth in women. Carrying out a biological assessment makes it possible to determine the underlying cause of this symptom.
“Hirsutism is characterized by the excessive hair growth in women in male body areas: for example the mustache chin, chest, upper thighs or stomach“, explains Dr. Anaïs Briand, general practitioner. Hirsutism is to be dissociated from hypertrichosis which is characterized by abundant hairiness. Laboratory workup for hirsutism aims to determine the underlying cause of this symptom. “We will first proceed to hormonal balance, with the dosage of three hormones : total and free testosterone (male hormone which can be produced in excess in women with hirsutism), Delta 4 androstenedione (androgen hormone of mixed origin) and 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands.
The results of these assays direct the doctor to the cause of the hirsutism.
► “If the testosterone levels are normal, we speak of idiopathic hirsutism (without found cause). The hair follicle is abnormally sensitive to testosterone levels.
► Whether moderate testosterone elevation and that the rate of Delta 4 androstenedione is also high, we will look at the 17-OHP values. “If its rate is high, it may be a problem with the adrenal gland. If its level is normal, it may indicate a polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)a common cause of hirsutism“.
► Finally if the testosterone levels are very high (twice as high as normal), we will look for a ovarian tumor or tumor of the adrenal gland. “In this case, imaging and blood tests will be requested in addition”.
Thanks to Dr Anaïs Briand, general practitioner in Poitiers (Ramsay Health medical centers).