Androgenetic Alopecia Differential Diagnoses

Updated: Jan 11, 2022
  • Author: Robert P Feinstein, MD, FAAD; Chief Editor: Romesh Khardori, MD, PhD, FACP  more...
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DDx

Diagnostic Considerations

Also consider the following:

  • Alopecia of senescence
  • Alopecia associated with virilizing disorders of women, in whom it may be seen in association with hirsutism and menstrual problems
  • Anagen effluvium after exposure to toxic chemicals, including chemotherapeutic agents
  • Alopecia associated with hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism
  • Telogen effluvium: This condition may accelerate androgenetic alopecia, and causes, such as iron deficiency and papulosquamous diseases of the scalp, must be considered.
  • Hypertension and/or smoking: A strong association of androgenetic alopecia with hypertension was noted in a study of 250 white men aged 35-65 years. In this French study, a definite familial tendency to androgenetic alopecia was also described, but no association was noted with diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, or smoking. [25] However, a study of 740 Taiwanese men aged 40-91 years indicated an association between androgenetic alopecia and smoking. Smoking status, current amount of cigarette smoking, and smoking intensity were statistically significant in this report. [26]

Differential Diagnoses