Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Is The Cause And Treatment For Hair Fall?
Question: I started losing my hair in August/September 2013 and blood tests reveals ferritin of 5. Hair kept falling out until February when my ferritin reached 72. I came off iron tablets and my ferritin dropped again to 60 and in may I scored 300 on calprotectin test. It was believed I had inflammatory bowel disease. Had a sigmoidoscopy but nothing noticed however this was 1-2 months after original flare up. Last calprotectin test showed level of 90.
My hair started falling out again in April then slowed, and is now falling out again. My ferritin is above 90 in most recent blood test.
I went to a hair clinic and the XXXXXXX consultant (unsure of qualifications as had a voucher for clinic!) did a pro scope on my hair. He pointed out on the screen that I had blocked hair follicles and then he showed me the length of the hair shaft and showed me where some of these blockages had become unplugged and were covering the hair. He stated this is indicative of androgenetic alopecia and did say my hair loss is worse on top of head.
I have no widening of parting and I'd say hair loss is worse at temples. However it got bad last year in this area and corrected itself in march before falling again.
He said only treatment was 4000 pounds laser surgery. I'm unwilling to pay this because I'm not 100% sure he is being honest. He also said that when my current health problems corrected themselves my hair night restore itself but it would stay at the level it is at now. Surely if it's genetic it would get worse?
He also said he couldn't say how quickly the damage would progress because my hair was currently unplugging the blockages. Is this normal?
My hair started falling out again in April then slowed, and is now falling out again. My ferritin is above 90 in most recent blood test.
I went to a hair clinic and the XXXXXXX consultant (unsure of qualifications as had a voucher for clinic!) did a pro scope on my hair. He pointed out on the screen that I had blocked hair follicles and then he showed me the length of the hair shaft and showed me where some of these blockages had become unplugged and were covering the hair. He stated this is indicative of androgenetic alopecia and did say my hair loss is worse on top of head.
I have no widening of parting and I'd say hair loss is worse at temples. However it got bad last year in this area and corrected itself in march before falling again.
He said only treatment was 4000 pounds laser surgery. I'm unwilling to pay this because I'm not 100% sure he is being honest. He also said that when my current health problems corrected themselves my hair night restore itself but it would stay at the level it is at now. Surely if it's genetic it would get worse?
He also said he couldn't say how quickly the damage would progress because my hair was currently unplugging the blockages. Is this normal?
Brief Answer:
Upload photograph
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic
I am Dr. Kakkar. I have gone through your query.
I am not convinced with what you have been told. In Androgenetic alopecia there are no blockages whatsoever. I would prefer if you can upload a few photographs which can clearly show me the pattern and severity of hair loss.
-How many hair do you lose per day?
-I would also like to know your age and sex?
-Is there a family history of androgenetic alopecia?
-Have you tried any medications?
Regards
Upload photograph
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic
I am Dr. Kakkar. I have gone through your query.
I am not convinced with what you have been told. In Androgenetic alopecia there are no blockages whatsoever. I would prefer if you can upload a few photographs which can clearly show me the pattern and severity of hair loss.
-How many hair do you lose per day?
-I would also like to know your age and sex?
-Is there a family history of androgenetic alopecia?
-Have you tried any medications?
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi,
Not sure how to post pictures but I basically just have somewhat thinner hair around my temples. I think it's relatively normal elsewhere and you can't actually tell from an outside perspective that it's falling out. I lose about 200 hairs per day at the moment, this goes up and down.
I am a 25 year old female with no family history of androgenetic alopecia.
I did recently have a blood test which showed a prolactin level of 950. Could this be contributing to hair loss?
Not sure how to post pictures but I basically just have somewhat thinner hair around my temples. I think it's relatively normal elsewhere and you can't actually tell from an outside perspective that it's falling out. I lose about 200 hairs per day at the moment, this goes up and down.
I am a 25 year old female with no family history of androgenetic alopecia.
I did recently have a blood test which showed a prolactin level of 950. Could this be contributing to hair loss?
Brief Answer:
Evaluate for high prolactin
Detailed Answer:
Hi
The prolactin level that you mention is very high. I would definitely suggest that you seek an appointment with an endocrinologist regarding such high levels of prolactin.
High levels of Prolactin acts as an hair growth modulator with hair growth inhibitory effects and may contribute to the clinical picture of female pattern androgenetic alopecia.
I would keep a possibility of Female pattern Androgenetic Alopecia as the cause of your hair fall and decreased hair density, as the thinning is more over the area just above the temples.
Female Pattern Androgenetic Alopecia, can be difficult to distinguish from Telogen Effluvium in females, specially early in the course. Later on, Androgenetic alopecia presents as widened part-width and decreased hair density from the vertex and crown of the scalp. The hair loss is gradual over the years and although the scalp remains covered, the hair volume is reduced.
Androgenetic alopecia in females is commonly managed with 2% minoxidil solution. It is a non-specific hair growth promoter can be applied at the scalp skin in this type of hair loss, twice daily with a dropper (1ml twice daily). Minoxidil helps in rapid transition of hair follicle from resting phase to growth phase (Anagen).
Hair fall is slow to respond and treatment may have to be continued for months to see noticeable improvements, say 4-6 months.
Regards
Evaluate for high prolactin
Detailed Answer:
Hi
The prolactin level that you mention is very high. I would definitely suggest that you seek an appointment with an endocrinologist regarding such high levels of prolactin.
High levels of Prolactin acts as an hair growth modulator with hair growth inhibitory effects and may contribute to the clinical picture of female pattern androgenetic alopecia.
I would keep a possibility of Female pattern Androgenetic Alopecia as the cause of your hair fall and decreased hair density, as the thinning is more over the area just above the temples.
Female Pattern Androgenetic Alopecia, can be difficult to distinguish from Telogen Effluvium in females, specially early in the course. Later on, Androgenetic alopecia presents as widened part-width and decreased hair density from the vertex and crown of the scalp. The hair loss is gradual over the years and although the scalp remains covered, the hair volume is reduced.
Androgenetic alopecia in females is commonly managed with 2% minoxidil solution. It is a non-specific hair growth promoter can be applied at the scalp skin in this type of hair loss, twice daily with a dropper (1ml twice daily). Minoxidil helps in rapid transition of hair follicle from resting phase to growth phase (Anagen).
Hair fall is slow to respond and treatment may have to be continued for months to see noticeable improvements, say 4-6 months.
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. Shanthi.E
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
