HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Causes Bald Spots On The Scalp While On Mirena IUD?

Posted on Fri, 10 Jun 2016

Question: Hello, my daughter is a 25 yo female currently in her first year of med school. the last couple months she has noticed her hair thinning but became alarmed when her hair dresser 3 weeks ago found a large bald spot on the side of her head. also, when she went to give blood 3 days ago her pressure was 138/106. last time it was 120/80 . borderline in my opinion for someone her age. i should also mention she has a mirena IUD. she has no temp. pulse was 80 when pressure was high. later that day at home it was 138/94 and the next morning it was 124/80. ANA,TSH, iron studies have been ordered and she sees a derm this week. any ideas
she is not on any meds other than the IUD. she is 5'3" and weighs 178

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Seems to be alopecia areata

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for being at healthcaremagic
I have gone through your complaints.
According to me she has developed alopecia areata which is a chronic inflammatory disease of the hair follicles characterised by bald patches on hair bearing areas of the body.
In such cases I recommend my patients to go for intralesional steroid injections every 3 weeks along with topical steroid like mometasone lotion twice daily on the affected areas.
Hair usually regrow after 3-4 injections.
For thinning of hair you have already gone for TSH, ANA and iron studies which is fine. Treatment can be started once the results of these tests come.
Her blood pressure is definitely high and for this I would recommend you to consult an internal medicine doctor for the same.
I hope to have answered your query and would be happy to clarify any further doubts.
Regards
Dr Asmeet

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (4 hours later)

because one of her profs looked at her hair and didnt think it was alopecia

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (51 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
High blood pressure and hair thinning are unrelated

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Welcome back.

I don't think that her high blood pressure is related to hair thinning and hair loss.
Thinning of hair won't be alopecia but a bald patch is definitely a patch of alopecia.

Regards.

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Deepak