Q: I am a 45 years old female with high levels of insulin in my blood. The doctor has prescribed cetapin 500 (0-0-1). Will the drug help me? The doctor says cetapin will help bring down the insulin level and also help reduce weight. I also suffer from hair loss. Is it due to raised insulin levels?

A:Raised insulin levels (hyperinsulinemia) is indirectly associated with hair loss as this condition may be associated with POLY CYSTIC OVARIAN DISEASE (PCOD). In PCOD there is increased levels of androgens (male hormone) which can cause hair loss. Metformin (cetapin) as prescribed to you is used in this condition. This is a medication for diabetes but used for PCOD as well. This drug reduces insulin levels, is safe and may reduce some weight as well.