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What Causes A Sudden Onset Of New Hair Growth?

Posted on Fri, 17 Jun 2016

Question: All of a sudden Im sprouting new hairs on my head . I have a ton of new growth. My hairdresser keeps asking me if I am taking vitamins or if I am pregnant. I am not. This is only happening on my head no other part of body .

I did have a very stressful year in personal life that just lifted

My dhea -s was mildly elevated and I was put on 500mg of metformin. My hb a1c is 4.2, I do not have cysts on ovaries . My endocronologist says possible mild pcos or high stress. Nothing on the adrenals .

And also, I did recently begin eating a diet higher in red meat and eggs and fat and lower carb. The new growth started around this time when I changed diet. I eat a lot of red meat, eggs, vegetables, and limit sugar. I eat not processed foods or alcohol and inly drink water.

Below are two photos taken on the same day. But one is with hair back to show new hairs. The new hair is all over my head. What is the cause?

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (39 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hormone tests

Detailed Answer:
I follow what you are saying.

It is good you are under the care of an endocrinologist.

When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:

CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your 3 month glucose average)
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH
Free T4
25 hydroxy Vitamin D
SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin)
Total Testosterone
Prolactin
Androstenedione
17 hydroxy Progesterone (between day 2 to day 7 of your menstrual cycle)

These tests need to be done before 9 am in the morning.

Some of these look for excess male hormone levels in the blood among other tests that can cause excess hair growth

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (7 minutes later)

See tests. Also all thyroid tests and cbc are normal

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up

Detailed Answer:
Your calculated Free Testosterone is 0.939 ng/dl

This is mildly elevated as is your DHEA sulfate.

Such values are seen in individuals with PCOS.

Regular physical activity, healthful eating and weight loss of 5 to 10 % (if you are overweight or obese) have been shown to be useful in improving blood markers in PCOS and improvement in symptoms such as excessive hair growth.

However, taking female hormones through prescription after consulting a Gynecologist has been observed to be the most effective way to deal with this.

I suggest you follow up regularly with your endocrinologist who will periodically monitor these hormones

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (12 hours later)

Also my dr said this attached insulin level is not considered high is still considered normal do u agree?

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Second follow up

Detailed Answer:
I concur with your doctor in this matter.

Insulin levels are complex to interpret and there are only select situations where they are useful

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (40 minutes later)

Can regular exercise also help regulate hormones?

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Third follow up

Detailed Answer:
Yes, some hormone levels are improved by regular exercise

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (8 hours later)

My dr says I can take or leave metformin since my hba1c is ideal. He said if I lose the 20-30lbs I gained from stress everything should even out. Id rather not take the 500mg of metformin. What do you advise?

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Fourth follow up

Detailed Answer:
I agree with your doctors advice completely.

Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar