I’m not a great fan of using oral or topical minoxidil for most cases of TE, especially TE that has been present under 6 months. I don’t know enough about your story specifically to offer you any kind of advice but this is not something I typically offer my own patients with similar stories. The treatment of telogen effluvium involves treating and addressing thr actual trigger. Typical triggers include stress, low iron, thyroid problems, medications, diets, weight loss, infections and illness inside the body. If low iron is the cause, the treatment is to give iron - not minoxidil. If an infection like a viral infection was the cause, then supportive care during the infection followed by waiting for hair shedding to settle is the best strategy. If TE truly is the correct diagnosis, then most cases settle in 6-12 months without the need for things like minoxidil. Now, let me say at this point that TE is often misdiagnosed. There are many hair issues that cause shedding that can look like TE. Androgenetic alopecia is just one such example. If androgenetic alopecia was the reason for the hair loss and not actually a TE, then treatment with minoxidil makes sense. but it would be a lifelong treatment (forever and ever). In this case, oral minoxidil and topical minoxidil are pretty similar with a slight greater benefit for oral minoxidil (but only if one can withstand higher doses). All in all, let me summarize by saying a few points. 1) the treatment of typical TE does not involve minoxidil. 2) The treatment of typical TE involves addressing whatever the trigger was and allowing time for the body to heal. 3) one must always be on the lookout for mimicking diagnoses like androgenetic alopecia especially if hair does not improve after 6-8 months. 4) all patients with suspected TE need blood tests. The required tests depend on the person’s story so I have no idea what you would need as I don’t know your story. Typically, blood tests like ferritin, CBC, TSH, vitamin D are needed but sometimes other tests are needed like RPR, zinc, ANA, ESR, testosterone, DHEAS, albumin, selenium, CRP, serum iron, TIBC, prolactin, cortisol. Your doctor will guide you as to what you specifically need. Thank you for the advice question.
