Two Young Women with Hair Loss
I receive many questions each day, and because these two are both from young women with hair loss questions, I am posting both questions in this one entry.
I am 21 year old girl. Till now i didnt hav any hair problems . But for the past 4 to > 5 months i am losing my hair like anything. My hairline is gettin broader andn is gettin thin these days.Neither of my parents hav balding problems nor anyone in our whole family.Wat should i do so that i can get my lost hair back? Is this possible to get all the lost hair ?? Which shampoo shd i use?
I would first have a good doctor see you and look for medical causes of hair loss (there are many). The following problems are amongst those that should be considered: anemia, thyroid disease, connective tissue disease, various gynecological conditions and emotional stress. It is also important to review the use of medications that can cause hair loss, such as oral contraceptives, beta-blockers, Vitamin A, thyroid drugs, coumadin and prednisone. Many other medications can also contribute to hair loss so if you are taking any drugs of any type, then that should be looked into as well. The following laboratory tests may be useful if underlying problems are suspected: CBC, Chem Screen, ANA, T4, TSH, STS, Androstenedione, DHEA-Sulfate, Total and Free Testosterone.
It is possible that a medical condition may be the cause of your hair loss, so before you jump to conclusions that you have genetic hair loss, I would have you checked out for these conditions. The shampoo you choose will have no impact on the hair loss so I always tell people to use what they like, what feels good, what smells good and what makes your hair look good. Also, please read my previous blog entries on Female Hair Loss.
I am a 22-yr.-old female and am experiencing thinning hair all over my scalp, with several spots void of any hair. Possibly related elements of my history include irregular periods, dermatitis and eczema (both on-scalp and elsewhere), a family history of thyroid disease, an often-unbalanced diet due to graduate school lifestyle :-), recent emotional stress, and use of 0.1% Tacrolimus ointment (one potential side effect of which is alopecia). I know you cannot diagnose me sight unseen, but I have one question I hope you can answer:
If one’s hair loss is related to use of a medication, stress, or a dietary deficiency, is the hair loss usually only temporary if the behaviors causing it are stopped?
Thank you very much for your time.
Sometimes the hair loss is temporary and sometimes not. The key is quick and accurate diagnosis and taking the proper action to go after the cause of the hair loss. The outline given to the first question above is appropriate for your medical work-up as well. If there is a genetic component, then the hair loss may be additive to the other contributing factors.
I hvae Polycystic ovaries, just been diagnosed with thryoid disease and lost a child 2 years ago. My thick beautiful hair is now thin and brittle, plenty of hair loss. I asked for a Hair Analysis, the best diagnosis. I have heavy metal toxins, high aluminium and chromium and all the signs there for Osteoporosis. I think this is an excellent basis, and you then have something to work on. Doctors think extreme stress with thyroid mounts to antidepressants and natural medication for thyroid. Its an extremely stressful situation but I have constanty been back to the doctors and believe the Hair analysis to be the best diagnostic tool to begin with. The supplements have slowed down the hair loss. I began with Kelp that I got before being diagnosed and along with others believe this is helping. Stay vigilant and dont think it will go away by itself.
Its now late August. I have just finally got to see a Dermatologist who did a scalp biopsy along with a huge workup of all my hormones, thyroid and FBC. He has started me on Minodoxidal 1ml twice daily along with a photographic scan of my hair loss which will be analysed over 12 months. I now believe that fear of losing your locks will push you either the natural way or medications way. After losing over 50% of my hair and many long delays and thousands later, I will concede to trying this path. Oh by the way, they now say I dont have thyroid!