28 Nov 2025 • Young men with early-onset androgenetic alopecia may be at greater metabolic syndrome risk.

In a study of 200 men aged 18 to 35 years, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR ≥ 2.7) was more than four times as common in those with early-onset androgenetic alopecia than in matched peers without it (18% vs 4%), and metabolic syndrome was also nearly doubled in prevalence (21% vs 9%). Affected men had higher fasting insulin, triglycerides, and HOMA-IR scores, as well as larger waist circumference. The likelihood of insulin resistance climbed with more advanced Hamilton–Norwood stages. Although glucose and blood pressure levels were similar between groups, metabolic risk factors clustered more frequently in the alopecia group.

The findings position early hair loss as a visible marker of hidden metabolic issues and support targeted screening in this population.

Source: WILEY | Read Full Story