Be Careful with Accutane for Acne- It Can Disrupt Your Hormones

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21103844

Acta Derm Venereol. 2011 Jan;91(1):31-4.

Isotretinoin influences pituitary hormone levels in acne patients.

Karadag AS, Ertugrul DT, Tutal E, Akin KO.

Source

Department of Dermatology, Yuzuncu Yil University, Ankara, Turkey. drayserem@yahoo.com

Abstract

Besides suppressing sebum production, the exact mechanism of action of isotretinoin in acne vulgaris is not known. Several hormones have been linked to the pathogenesis of acne. In this study, we investigated the effects of isotretinoin on the pituitary-adrenal axis, whose activity may be increased in acne. Various hormone systems were evaluated before and after 3 months of isotretinoin treatment in 47 acne patients. Free triiodothyronine (T3), thyroid-stimulating hormone and thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibody levels decreased significantly during isotretinoin treatment (p < 0.001, p < 0.02 and p < 0.02, respectively), as did those of luteinising hormone, prolactin and total testosterone (p < 0.005), as well as morning cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (p < 0.005 and p < 0.05, respectively). We conclude that isotretinoin causes mild suppression of pituitary hormone levels, which may be beneficial for tackling the pathogenesis of acne.

Can Accutane Cause Negative Hormone Effects?

Young people and men on testosterone and/or anabolic steroids sometimes suffer from acne.  Accutane is one of the most commonly prescribed and effective drugs for acne. But there are concerns that it may affect hormones. No one knows how long after drug cessation things normalize, but I have had two men consult with me who saw a significant and permanent drop in blood levels of testosterone after its use.

I take zinc/copper, wash with Nizoral shampoo, get some sun and limit greasy food and that was worked well for me to stop the acne on my back.

These two studies show concerns:

Accutane can affect growth hormone's effect.

Reference:
Short-term isotretinoin (accutane) treatment decreases insulin-like growth factor-1 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 levels: does isotretinoin affect growth hormone physiology? - Karadag - 2010 - British Journal of Dermatology - Wiley Online Library Short-term isotretinoin treatment decreases insulin-like growth factor-1 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 levels: does isotretinoin affect growth hormone physiology? - Karadag - 2010 - British Journal of Dermatology - Wiley Online Lib

Accutane can also affect pituitary hormones (LH, FSH) which affect testosterone levels:

Reference: Isotretinoin Influences Pituitary Hormone Levels in Acne Patients. Authors: Karadag, Ayse Serap; Ertugrul, Derun Taner; Tutal, Emre; Akin, Kadir Okhan Source: Acta Dermato-Venereologica, Volume 91, Number 1, January 2011 , pp. 31-34(4)