Do I have male pattern baldness or something else?

Question

I'm 24. I have noticed excessive hair fall for a year and half when dying my hair...my hair feels thinner practically all over. I have absolutely no sign of a receding hair line, I still have my juvenile hairline, the hairs just feel weaker. If I touch my head then hairs will fallout, back and sides. I haven't seen a single miniaturised hair, they are all long healthy looking hairs with white bulbs (sometimes black). Does male pattern baldness always cause receding and minituarisation? Thanks

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

This needs an in-person evaluation. I suggest seeing a hair loss expert now to go over your condition, test results and provide you information about your best treatment options. There are great non-invasive options like prp/progesterone which can help with hair regrowth and/or hair transplantation. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Jeff Rapaport, MD · Answer

In my opinion you need an in-person consultation. A hair loss expert will review your history, do a magnified exam, trichoscopy as well as possibly a biopsy and blood work. The most common cause of hair loss in males is androgenic alopecia. There is a diffuse type that does not follow a pattern. Furthermore, one needs to rule out that your hairs could be breaking due to coloring.

Robert Nettles, MD · Answer

In order to find out if your hair loss is a concern, you should see a professional. The number one first step I recommend is a comprehensive consultation with a hair regrowth specialist who will perform lab tests to determine the underlying cause of your thinning.  Without labs, no-one can really know what your true cause is and any treatment will be temporary at best.From here, you can receive the best treatment for your case.Good luck on your search.

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

You really need a comprehensive evaluation to determine the cause of your hair loss. The includes a more detailed review of your story, an up close examination and review of blood tests (which you do need). To answer your questions: 1) some forms of male pattern balding don’t affect the frontal hairline so we can’t conclude this is not MPB with this fact alone 2) the earliest stagesof MPB are associated with shedding and subtle changes in hair diameter that a patient can’t detect. So the fact that a patient says they don’t see miniaturized hairs does not impact the diagnosis. Please see an expert to rule out a range of conditions.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

If you feel that your hair is losing bulk, then find a doctor who has a hAIRCHECK instrument and that doctor can measure your hair bulk throughout your scalp and then let you know, advising treatment as a result

Do I have male pattern baldness or something else?

Answers (5)

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