How do I tell if my hair loss is AGA, TE, or related to other factors? 9photo)

This requires an in-person evaluation. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a hair loss expert to go over your test results, condition and advise you on best treatment options. In our office, we use progesterone and prp with great results. Hair transplantation is an alternative. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

To get the best diagnosis, an in-person evaluation would be the proper course of action for you. A hair loss specialist will be able to set you on the right track and discuss possible options, with many offering virtual consultations this may be easier than you think. AGA is the most common form of hair loss found in both men and women. AGA by definition presents as miniaturization of the hair follicles and often occurs with a recognizable pattern. This pattern in women can be persistence of the frontal hairline with varying degrees of diffuse thinning behind it. It also can present with fronto-temporal loss in an M-pattern more similar to male recession.Telogen effluvium is a shedding of hair follicles and can be either acute or chronic. It often mimics diffuse AGA in women, but typically can be tied to a triggered event. There are also many other, but less common factors and medical reasons that can result in hair loss. Thus you can see the importance of a proper in-person history and physical examination by a qualified dermatologist or hair specialist. 

Female pattern hair loss or genetic alopecia is the most common reason of hair loss in women and it is more common than it is thought to be. 25% of the women at the ages of 35-40, 50% of the women at the ages above 40 suffer from hair loss. 20% of the women with hair loss have a positive relative who suffered/is suffering from hair loss. Other reasons of hair loss are: Hypo- and hyper-tiroidism (hair loss may be one of the early signs of thyroid dysfunction, and hair loss stops after treatment); polycystic ovarian syndrome (an inherited ovarian disease, seen in 10% of the women during adulthood); pregnancy-related hormonal changes (temporary hair loss which can be seen during pregnancy stops after birth)..
The reason of the hair loss may related with factors other than genetic like connective tissue disorders, stress, anemia, lupus, medications, hormonal and seasonal changes, nutritional problems, severe diets, bulimia, protein/calorie deficiency, zinc and essential amino-acid deficiency, mal-absorption (intestinal and digestive problems), A-vitamin excess, general anesthesia, affective mood disorders.

Drugs that may cause hair loss in woman 

Anti-coagulants such as warfarin and heparin  
Epilepsy drugs, especially dilantin
Gout drugs, allopurinol and colchicum
Antihypertensive drugs, diuretics, beta blockers.... etc

So you may need to have a full exam with an hair surgeon, internist and/or endocrinologist to find out any reason for hair loss.

Deciphering AGA from TE is an important consideration that a dermatologist can help you with. AGA is associated with hair loss changes in certain areas accompanied by follicular miniaturization. TE is associated with diffuse loss and excessive daily shedding. AGA can have a diffuse pattern and also gives excessive shedding. See a dermatologist for help. Many women have both AGA and TE.

Women are more complex when it comes to evaluating hair loss, Many blood tests are needed and a good examination by a skilled doctor is critical. See a doctor skilled in this field for this and the diagnosis may become more evident. For the cosmetic treatment of thinning, the best approach is scalp micropigmentation, see below