I’ve Seen 2 Doctors About My Hair and Think Both Are Wrong

I’m a 25 year old male and my frontal hairline began receding rapidly about 9 months ago. From reading your blog and my own observations I assumed it was male pattern baldness kicking in earlier than I would have liked.

I have now seen two doctors (One family doctor and one dermatologist) who have both told me that It would grow back by itself as they both said it was due to stress (About a year ago my dad passed away right after I moved to a new city and I had to start a new job the day after the service). The family doctor briefly looked over my hair and the dermatologist asked me my family history (No balding on my mom’s side, and my dad started balding in his early 40s) and did a pull test (No miniturization test)

The problem I’m having is that from reading your blog it seems like they’re both incorrect. There is obviously miniturization at my hairlines which to my understanding means there its is MPB which could have been triggered by the event.

Does my hair growing back by itself like they both said sound at all realistic? Should I try yet another doctor?

Thanks for your time.

I agree with you that a mapping of your scalp for miniaturization will make the diagnosis for you. The pull test that your dermatologist did will check out conditions like telogen effluvium (see article at eMedicine), which if positive might indicate that the process will reverse, but people with genetic hair loss will not have a positive hair pull test. See another doctor who can make the correct diagnosis for you.