Low sex-hormone binding globulin levels in young women with diffuse hair loss.

We measured plasma sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and testosterone levels in a pilot study of eight women aged 21-41 years who complained of diffuse hair loss; and subsequently in a larger group of fifteen patients of a similar age range. There was a significant reduction in SHBG levels in both groups of patients when compared ot controls, but testosterone values were normal.