Changes in plasma lipids in hirsute women.

The changes in blood cholesterol, triglycerides, total lipids and lipoproteinograms were examined in 40 women with hirsutism compared to 40 normal women of similar ages as control. The results show a significant increase in cholesterol, triglycerides and total lipids in hirsutism. The lipoproteins, analysed according to Frederickson's classification show that while only 12% of the normal women came within type II A, in hirsutism the proportion was 50%. A proportion of 5% of normal women came within type II B whereas in hirsutism there were 28%. In conclusion, both types of blood lipoprotein alteration with atherogenic potential are significantly better represented in hirsutism cases.