Hair loss - what kind of specialist to see first??

[pillow]

Hi

I'm 30. My hair started falling out (diffusely) about 4 months ago. Around this time I stopped taking Dianette (in the US I think it's called Diane 35 - it's a contraceptive/acne treatment) and was also going through a period of stress at work. I do not feel stressed now as I left my stressful job three months ago but the hair loss seems to be getting worse.

I haven't spoken to a GP about this yet as I am convinced she will think I am neurotic or will not take the problem seriously. However for other reasons I am having blood tests done (for thyroid profile/PCOS) so I am hoping these might shed some light or show something up.

Are there other blood tests I should expect to get done for hairloss? Maybe iron or anything else?

Apart from trying my GP, I don't really know where to go from here. What should I ask of my GP? I am in the UK but if I wanted to go privately what kind of specialist would you advise to see? A dermatologist/endocronologist/trichologist?

THanks Pillow

 

[pillow]

I forgot to add, around the time I came off the pill (Dianette), I got really bad greasy hair (this is something I used to have pre-pill) but also terrible dandruff like I've never had before. Don't know if this is common or would have any bearing on the hair loss?

Also about 18 months ago,I completed a 4 month course of Accutaine - which I read can affect hair.

Thanks

 

[Hayley]

I was put on dianette for the purpose of improving my hair loss. Having read bits about it on the net in the past, i did find out that stopping it can make skin and hair greasey.

I went to the dr first and i was pretty much fobbed off. Then i paid for a tricologist who couldnt give me a reason for the loss but gave me some options, ie minoxidyl, dianette, etc He said i s hould go back to him in 6 months if nothing had improved. Anyway i went back to the dr (not wanting to pay for the tricologist again, even though he helped) and persisted. I had loads of blood tests done, pcos, iron, thyroid.. cant remember them all but i know i had them all done. All were clear so i was referred to a dermatologist at a local hospital. He was at a loss as nothing was wrong with me and had no history in the family so apart from putting me on dianette, i was refered to St Thomas' in London. and things are starting to improve.

So thats what i think you should do

(i havent put full details of my hair loss as i'll put all that in my Tell Your Story bit)