Elevated free testosterone concentration in men and women with acne vulgaris

Abstract

Plasma total and free testosterone, total and free dihydrotestosterone, androstenedione and sex‐hormone binding globulin concentrations were measured in 42 women and 17 men with acne vulgaris and compared with controls. Free testosterone concentrations were significantly elevated in both male and female acne sufferers, whilst free dihydrotestosterone levels were significantly raised in both sexes with severe acne but not in women with mild acne. The other plasma total androgens were not significantly elevated apart from total testosterone levels in those women with acne who also had irregular menstrual cycles, and who comprised about one third of the female group with acne as the main complaint. Sex‐hormone binding globulin concentrations were significantly reduced in women with severe and moderate but not mild acne. No inherited expression was detected in levels of this carrier‐protein on the maternal side or in siblings with acne, although the familial nature of acne was confirmed in our study.