Evaluation of Serum Testosterone, Cholesterol and Plasma Glucose Concentrations in Hirsute Women in Bayelsa State

Abstract

Hirsutism is an endocrine disorder where women develop excess growth of terminal hairs in a male pattern. This study evaluated the concentrations of cholesterol, glucose and testosterone in bearded women in the Amassoma metropolis of Bayelsa state. In a view to determining whether hirsutism has an effect/relationship with the biochemical parameters estimated, a total of 50 bearded and 50 non-bearded women were recruited for this study. Based on a cross-sectional study, group A and B were appropriately matched for age and BMI. The concentrations of the biochemical parameters were measured using WHO-approved method. Bearded females had significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) cholesterol concentration (4.41 ± 1.09 mmol/L) when compared with the non-bearded (control) women. Furthermore, the mean concentrations of testosterone and glucose were higher in the bearded female group when compared with the non-bearded. The study established that women with hirsutism have associated hypertestosteronemia, hypercholesterolemia and hyperglycemia.