Is this telogen effluvium or androgenic alopecia. A lot of photos over a 3 week period. (Photos)

Question

19 year old female who's had moderate hair loss (20-60 strands). Recently, I went a really stressful situation, and a diet where I lost 20 pounds in 1 1/2 month. 5 months later, my hair started falling out more than usual (100-300 strands). It is slowing down now (started in July and it's now Janurary, I loose about 50-60 hair per day). I've lost about half my head and I want to know if this is telogen effluvium or androgenic alopecia? What should I do? Will it grow back? Should I use Rogaine?

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

This can only be answered with an in person evaluation so that a physician can take a close look at your scalp, blood tests and review your full story. In my opinion. the proper way to phrase the question is to ask if this is telogen effluvium or androgenetic alopecia ... or both. Many women have both conditions so it's not so much figuring out which on you have but the relative proportion of each you have.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

Your history of short-term weight loss and stress can bring on TE; however, if you have a genetic history in the female side of the family that is also possible. Female hair loss is a difficult analysis and requires many tests, not just thyroid testing. The first step in evaluating hair loss in women, after a detailed history and physical exam, is to rule out any underlying medical causes of hair loss which can be treated. If clinically appropriate, the following disease processes should be considered: anemia, thyroid disease, connective tissue disease, gynecological conditions and emotional stress. Furthermore, over 50% of women going through change of life hormone fluctuations (menopause) experience significant hair loss. It is also important to review the use of medications that may cause hair loss, such as (but not limited to) oral contraceptives, beta-blockers, Vitamin A, thyroid drugs, coumadin, and prednisone. The following laboratory tests have been recommended to rule out the aforementioned medical conditions:
Some common blood tests for female hair loss:
  
·         Sex Hormone tests
  
·         SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) used to test status of male hormones
  
·         Estradiol is a sex hormone
  
·         FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) *not hair follicle but follicle in the ovary*
  
·         LH (Luteinizing Hormone) is a sex hormone
  
·         Free Testosterone
  
·         Total Testosterone
  
·         ANA (Anti Nuclear Antibody) used to test for Lupus or other autoimmune diseases
  
·         TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) used to test for hyper or hypo-thyroid disease
  
·         Test Iron status
  
·         TIBC (Total Iron Binding Capacity)
  
·         Ferritin
  
·         Iron

Is this telogen effluvium or androgenic alopecia. A lot of photos over a 3 week period. (Photos)

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Is this telogen effluvium or androgenic alopecia. A lot of photos over a 3 week period. (Photos)

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about Hair Loss Treatment

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