If I Have DUPA Should I Take the Hair Gene Test?

Dear Doctor Rassman,

I have a question concerning this post- Tinea Capitis / Ringworm Scars

In this post you said there is a genetic test that can test if you have the balding gene…

I have been struggling a long time with the thought of getting off propecia. My situation is that i have DUPA, and do not know if i should continue with the medication, being that it is very expensive and i do not see any thickening from it. Would you recommend i also take this test? and why isnt this suggested to anyone who is unsure of their hairloss situation?

While the genetic testing for male pattern hair loss is novel, you don’t need a genetic test to be diagnosed with genetic male pattern baldness. A good physician can give you a diagnosis and a recommendation for treatment plan. I do not know the relationship between diffuse unpatterned alopecia (DUPA) and classic genetic hair loss. We know very little about DUPA, but if we had 100 or so patients take the genetic test and all of them were positive, then we may learn more.

With regard to the post you referenced about ringworm, the genetic test (if normal) would rule out that patient experiencing genetic hair loss, so I would approach him differently without worrying about the impact of genetic balding on his problem. On the other hand, if he is positive for the hair loss gene, there is no assurance that he won’t bald as he gets older, so it would just confuse the situation and certainly not help in building a Master Plan for him in a worst case scenario.

I commend you for doing your homework / research, but be sure that you have a competent doctor overseeing your hair care. There are lot of subtleties that you may not be aware of and no amount of research or BaldingBlog reading can substitute for a physical exam by a qualified physician.