Plasma androgens in women with acne vulgaris

We have studied a group of young adult women of mean age 23.8 +/- 6.5 (SD) years with only acne (A, n = 46), only hirsutism (H, n = 10), and acne plus hirsutism (A + H, n = 19) who sought dermatologic care. We measured the androgens, total and free testosterone (T), free 17 beta-hydroxysteroids (17-beta), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DS), and the androgen precursors 17 alpha-hydroxypregnenolone (17-Preg) and 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17-Prog), as well as testosterone-estrogen binding globulin in all patients. Plasma hormone levels of the patients were compared to those of 23 controls of mean age 25.6 +/- 6.6 years who had neither acne nor hirsutism. Mean levels of all hormones measured, except 17-Preg, were elevated in the women with acne. Fifty-two percent of Group A, 60% of Group H, and 63% of Group A + H patients had at least one abnormal hormone level. The most frequently elevated plasma androgens in all the women with acne were: free T 25%, free 17-beta 23%, and DS 19%. Total T was high in only 12%. Elevations of plasma androgens were present in some women who did not have hirsutism or irregular menses. Identification of endocrine abnormalities in women with acne may potentially offer an opportunity for hormonal therapy.