Is Hair Loss On The Lower Leg A Sign Of Diabetes?

Posted on Fri, 9 Jun 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 9 Jun 2017 Answered on

Thu, 6 Jul 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I heard that loss of lower leg hair is a sign of oncoming diabetes: is that true?

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
no...

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

this is not true... Oncoming diabetes can be heralded by a rising blood sugar (particularly when an infection is active) in a patient with a family history of type 2 diabetes. When blood glucose gets completely out of control the patient looses much glucose and water in the urine. This results to weight loss, thirst, increased urine production, etc.

Hair loss on the legs can be caused by arterial problems. Decreased blood flow in this area may present with skin atrophy (including loss of hair). For other potential causes you should talk with a dermatologist.

So in conclusion, the answer to your question is no. There is no connection between diabetes and leg hair.

Kind regards!

Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar