Recent advances in human genetics empower researchers to discover the genetics of many common disorders. As genetic science is evolving in a rapid pace new discoveries are made almost daily.

HairDX is committed to providing the latest in genetic discoveries to individuals. The cause of female hair loss is often elusive and at times misdiagnosed. While common hair loss in males and females (Androgenetic Alopecia) appears to follow a polygenetic inheritance pattern (many genes are involved in the cause of hair loss), our scientists have identified strong markers associated with hair loss.

So, while the cause may not be completely understood, we have devised a meaningful test using genetic markers strongly associated with Female Androgenetic Alopecia.

A study conducted by Dr. Marty Sawaya at the University of Florida in 1998 (1), discovered that certain variants of the Androgen Receptor gene in females are associated with a higher risk for developing Ludwig grade II or III Female Pattern Hair Loss. Interestingly, a study by Brum et al (3) discovered that females with the same genetic variances discovered by Dr. Sawaya are likely to have elevated plasma testosterone. Another study by Westberg et al (4), confirmed that the variants discovered by Dr. Sawaya in connection with Female Pattern Hair Loss, were also associated with serum androgen levels in females.

The markers that HairDX uses to report on the risk for Female Androgenetic Alopecia are variances in the first exon of the Androgen Receptor (AR) gene. A CAG repeat in the first exon of the AR gene varies in length between individuals.

A shorter CAG repeat is associated with a higher risk for Female Androgenetic Alopecia while a longer repeat is associated with a lower risk for Female Androgenetic Alopecia.

According to the Sawaya, et al. study, the percentage of the female population with a CAG repeat length of 15 or less, NOT suffering from a Ludwig grade II or III hair loss was only a 2.3%. Figure 1 shows the distribution for the Androgenetic Alopecia group in black and the Normal group in red. The red shaded region represents those women with CAG of 15 or less who DO NOT have Androgenetic Alopecia.

Similarly, among women with Androgenetic Alopecia only 2.3% had a CAG repeat length above 23. Figure 2 shows the distribution of women suffering from Androgenetic Alopecia in red and normal women in black. The red shaded region represents women who have Androgenetic Alopecia and a CAG repeat above 23.

The HairDX test for Female Androgenetic Alopecia provides women with their CAG repeat score and allows them to compare their results to the current scientific literature.

Figure 1 depicts the results of the Sawaya, et al. study for normal women with CAG repeats below 15.

Figure 2 depicts the results of the Sawaya, et al. study for women suffering from Androgenetic Alopecia with CAG repeats above 23.

Finally, as part of HairDX’s commitment to the advancement of scientific information, as new discoveries are made in the genetics of hair loss, we will continuously provide our customers with the latest in science.

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