In women, terminal hair on the face alone may indicate what condition?

The presence of terminal hair on the face in women is commonly associated with an excess of androgens, which are male hormones that can influence hair growth patterns. Conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), adrenal hyperplasia, or certain tumors can lead to increased androgen levels in females, causing hirsutism—the growth of coarse, terminal hair in areas where males typically grow hair, such as the face, chest, and back.

Excess androgens can disrupt the normal hormonal balance in women, leading to changes in hair growth. This is a significant indicator for healthcare professionals to assess further for underlying conditions that may be contributing to this hormonal imbalance, which is why identifying excess androgen as a cause for facial terminal hair growth is crucial.

Understanding the context of the other options, conditions like excess estrogen or low thyroid levels can affect hair growth patterns but typically do not lead to the localized terminal hair growth characteristic of hirsutism. Iron deficiency anemia is more commonly associated with hair thinning rather than the development of terminal hair.