Hair contains various hormones, including androgens such as testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and their prohormones dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and androstenedione (A). These hormones play a crucial role in hair growth, particularly in the development of terminal hair.
Hair analysis can be used to assess past hormonal activity as hormones are incorporated into hair shafts during growth. However, hair analysis is not a standard diagnostic tool for hormonal imbalances.
Other hormones that can be found in hair include:
- Melatonin: Regulates sleep-wake cycles and has receptors in sweat glands.
- Other hormones: May also be present in hair, reflecting the body's overall endocrine activity during hair growth.
