Was My Doctor’s Examination of My Scalp Thorough Enough?

Hello, first of thanks for this blog it helps dismiss all the paranoia and rubbish that is usually on the internet concerning hairloss. Im 17 and im worried about hairloss. I don’t know whether I’m a Norwood 2, perhaps a 3 its difficult to tell, but I’m somewhere around there, I’ve read your blog regularly and educated myself on the process of the hairline maturing and how it usually forms a gradual convex recession that is common to see on most fully developed males. My hairline though a Norwood 2 is not convex or gradually receded but more sudden almost exactly like that on the Norwood scale – is it safe to assume that if my hairline is not developing into a convex or gradual shape then what I am experiencing is male pattern baldness at an early age? I’ve never had a straight juvenile hairline like you’ve described, its always receded a little.

One more thing, I’ve read your blogs on getting miniaturization mapping done. Where I live the health care system does not offer such a test. I did however go to my doctor, who, in the final stage of MPB himself, ran his hands through my hair made a few “uhuh” and “yes”, sat back down and said it looks fine to him, and that my hair is the same density all the way round, he always said that I was far too young to be effected by MPB, but then went on to say that he started going bald at 18 only a few months older than I am. He then prescribed me a anti-fungal shampoo “just in cause”. I remember reading somewhere where you said if your doctor reacts like this run for the hills or something like that. Is it possible my doctor did a fair examination or should I seek further consultation?

Thanks

I am going to assume you do not look bald at Norwood 2. You are very worried about some thinning in the front. The doctor you saw is likely a general internist who does not see hair loss patients as his primary practice. And even if that doctor is the most caring and sympathetic doctor in the world, if he does not treat patients with hair loss on a day-to-day basis as his number one priority, they would most likely not pay attention to young men who do not look bald. I do not think it is the doctor’s fault, but it is just the way doctors are trained. You see, hair loss is not considered an illness or a disease. It does not affect your health. So doctors really do not learn about it and its treatment in medical school.

If you want a good examination and evaluation of your hair loss state, you need to find a hair transplant doctor in your area. You can check ISHRS.org for doctors that specialize in this or since you indicated that you’re in the UK, you can see Dr Bessam Farjo in London.