I Have Been Diagnosed With Diffuse Hair Loss (telogen Effluvium) Really Worried

[Sevgel]

Hello

Visited a dermatologist today who after examining my hair said that I most likely is suffering from diffuse hair loss brought on by some external trigger (disease, stress, infection). This is the second doctor I've been to who have claimed I have diffuse hair loss, should I believe this? I'm worried it is male pattern baldness after all and that I should start treating it with finasteride and/or minoxidil (Since it's said male pattern baldness is 90% of the cases). I'm really at a loss here. She also took 4 blood tests (thyroid gland, iron, blood overall) I have been worried about my thyroid gland since I have other symptoms linked to it. (My tongue is constantly fucked up for example.)

I started losing my hair last year and it falls off in episodes but I don't really recognize any regrowth in the periods between, when it's falling off I can drag my hand gently through my hair and catch a lot of hair and the shower drain is always full during these periods.

Should I trust the doctors opinion and move on or get a third opinion regarding this when I get my blood tests back?

 

[cyrusthegreat@hotmail.com]

Hello

Visited a dermatologist today who after examining my hair said that I most likely is suffering from diffuse hair loss brought on by some external trigger (disease, stress, infection). This is the second doctor I've been to who have claimed I have diffuse hair loss, should I believe this? I'm worried it is male pattern baldness after all and that I should start treating it with finasteride and/or minoxidil (Since it's said male pattern baldness is 90% of the cases). I'm really at a loss here. She also took 4 blood tests (thyroid gland, iron, blood overall) I have been worried about my thyroid gland since I have other symptoms linked to it. (My tongue is constantly fucked up for example.)

I started losing my hair last year and it falls off in episodes but I don't really recognize any regrowth in the periods between, when it's falling off I can drag my hand gently through my hair and catch a lot of hair and the shower drain is always full during these periods.

Should I trust the doctors opinion and move on or get a third opinion regarding this when I get my blood tests back?

Wait for the blood results to come back before seeking more opinions. Make sure to get a copy of the full test values with you and research each result on your own regardless of seeking more opinions. So many doctors blindly follow the lab's reference ranges for 'normal' results and ignore the patient's symptoms.

Having said all that, you're completely right thst it's most likely f*****g male pattern baldness. You should consider starting minoxidil (rogaine) and finasteride or other anti androgen. I remember being in your shoes 10 years ago. I wish I had accepted the facts and began dealing with them sooner.
Hopefully something easily jumps out on your blood work as a potential cause of your thinning.

Good luck man.

 

[DoctorHouse]

Hello

Visited a dermatologist today who after examining my hair said that I most likely is suffering from diffuse hair loss brought on by some external trigger (disease, stress, infection). This is the second doctor I've been to who have claimed I have diffuse hair loss, should I believe this? I'm worried it is male pattern baldness after all and that I should start treating it with finasteride and/or minoxidil (Since it's said male pattern baldness is 90% of the cases). I'm really at a loss here. She also took 4 blood tests (thyroid gland, iron, blood overall) I have been worried about my thyroid gland since I have other symptoms linked to it. (My tongue is constantly fucked up for example.)

I started losing my hair last year and it falls off in episodes but I don't really recognize any regrowth in the periods between, when it's falling off I can drag my hand gently through my hair and catch a lot of hair and the shower drain is always full during these periods.

Should I trust the doctors opinion and move on or get a third opinion regarding this when I get my blood tests back?

I would be testing if you have the balding gene with the HairDx test and if you do, then it's most likely male pattern baldness. I have a thyroid issue and I was diffusely thinning and I wanted to know for sure if some of it was caused by male pattern baldness so I got my PCP to do the HairDx test and I have the gene. Not only that but it said I would be a poor responder to Propecia which is true. I still take it though.

 

[cyrusthegreat@hotmail.com]

I would be testing if you have the balding gene with the HairDx test and if you do, then it's most likely male pattern baldness. I have a thyroid issue and I was diffusely thinning and I wanted to know for sure if some of it was caused by male pattern baldness so I got my PCP to do the HairDx test and I have the gene. Not only that but it said I would be a poor responder to Propecia which is true. I still take it though.

Is HairDx still available? Their website (hairdx.com) doesn't seem to be up anymore.

 

[DoctorHouse]

Is HairDx still available? Their website (hairdx.com) doesn't seem to be up anymore.

I did not realize it was no longer available. Too bad. All I can say is post some good photos on here with your hair wet and dry and see what people think here.

 

[Sevgel]

Here are some pictures

 

[DoctorHouse]

Here are some pictures

Definitely looks like the very early stage of male pattern baldness. You still have great hair. How old are you? If I were in your situation I would start finasteride first before minoxidil just to see how you respond. Adding minoxidil at the same time will never allow you to know which one is most effective.

 

[Sevgel]

Definitely looks like the very early stage of male pattern baldness. You still have great hair. How old are you? If I were in your situation I would start finasteride first before minoxidil just to see how you respond. Adding minoxidil at the same time will never allow you to know which one is most effective.

I'm 24, since they keep telling me I have diffuse hair loss I haven't got finasteride prescribed yet. :/

 

[buckthorn]

1) male pattern baldness and Telogen Effluvium are NOT mutually exclusive. You can definitely have both. I have male pattern baldness and have had Telogen Effluvium a few times. It's f*cking traumatic as all hell.

2) It does look like you have male pattern baldness. Your temples are receding and you have a thinning crown and midscalp.

3) How did these docs come to the conclusion that you have Telogen Effluvium? Are you shedding a lot of hairs with prominent white bulbs on the ends? are you losing 200-300 hairs a day. Telogen Effluvium is very noticeable if you pay attention. At it's peak (2-3 months after it starts) you will be able to shake your hair and cover your sink in it.

4) What was your traumatic physiological insult? medication? surgery? severe stress, weight loss, change in diet? you need to realize the trigger so you can remove it.

5) male pattern baldness + Telogen Effluvium = sh*t f*cking luck. If this IS what you have, then understand that you are now shedding hairs that would have taken possibly years to fall out, really quick. Since you have male pattern baldness, there is nothing to stop them from coming back thinner and short, if they come back at all. You KNOW the only way to counter this is with minoxidil and finasteride. IF YOU'RE NOT ON minoxidil, GET ON IT NOW. If your derm won't prescribe finasteride, go to another derm or take it into your own hands and call medical wellness center or another reputable online pharmacy.

 

[Sevgel]

1) male pattern baldness and Telogen Effluvium are NOT mutually exclusive. You can definitely have both. I have male pattern baldness and have had Telogen Effluvium a few times. It's f*cking traumatic as all hell.

2) It does look like you have male pattern baldness. Your temples are receding and you have a thinning crown and midscalp.

3) How did these docs come to the conclusion that you have Telogen Effluvium? Are you shedding a lot of hairs with prominent white bulbs on the ends? are you losing 200-300 hairs a day. Telogen Effluvium is very noticeable if you pay attention. At it's peak (2-3 months after it starts) you will be able to shake your hair and cover your sink in it.

4) What was your traumatic physiological insult? medication? surgery? severe stress, weight loss, change in diet? you need to realize the trigger so you can remove it.

5) male pattern baldness + Telogen Effluvium = sh*t f*cking luck. If this IS what you have, then understand that you are now shedding hairs that would have taken possibly years to fall out, really quick. Since you have male pattern baldness, there is nothing to stop them from coming back thinner and short, if they come back at all. You KNOW the only way to counter this is with minoxidil and finasteride. IF YOU'RE NOT ON minoxidil, GET ON IT NOW. If your derm won't prescribe finasteride, go to another derm or take it into your own hands and call medical wellness center or another reputable online pharmacy.

The doctors examined my scalp and pulled a few hairs then told me I have diffuse thinning, I have been experiencing a lot of severe psychological trauma and stress during 2015 aswell as multiple infections with a high fever.

the hair shedding is rather episodic but very prominent at points, mostly I can drag my hands over my hair and get several hairs with ease. And yes I do have white little bulbs at the end of my shedded hairs.

The picture shows a part of my sink after shaking my head for a short period of time.

 

[buckthorn]

yeah, sounds like it very well could be Telogen Effluvium. You need to do what you can to assure your shed hairs will regrow just as strong. You already know this, but with male pattern baldness, there is a much greater chance that they will not, especially in the stronger male pattern baldness zones. With finasteride and minoxidil, you are hopefully eliminating the DHT that's affecting the follicle, while the minoxidil is going to work to drive those hairs back into anagen. good luck man.

 

[stachu]

Thats why im not going to dermatologists. You have male pattern baldness.

 

[Sevgel]

Hey, shaved my hair off, how does my hair loss look? How advance is it?