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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Severe Hair Loss While On Prednisone?

I am an 80 year old female, and have had very heavy hair until about 20 years ago. Gradually it has become thinner, but after a regimen of 60mg. of prednisone for 17 days begining last March, I am losing my hair in alarming amounts. Genetically, both my mother and grandmother had very thin hair when they passed about age 90. I recently had thyroid tests, they were normal. Could there be an underlaying health problem causing my excessive hair loss?
Wed, 17 Jul 2019
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,

You will need to do the following checks:
- CBC, ERS, TSH, FT4, basic metabolic profile.

Also, your doctor needs to examine your scalp and notice if there are any local changes of the scalp and if hair-fall is in certain areas or spread.

Generally, if all tests come out normal and you do not have local skin changes (no redness or scales) then minoxidil local treatment can be tried. If there are redness and or scales, you can try one of the following: head and shoulders shampoo and if this is not helping enough in 4 weeks you may try ketoconazole shampoo.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj, General & Family Physician
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What Causes Severe Hair Loss While On Prednisone?

Hello, You will need to do the following checks: - CBC, ERS, TSH, FT4, basic metabolic profile. Also, your doctor needs to examine your scalp and notice if there are any local changes of the scalp and if hair-fall is in certain areas or spread. Generally, if all tests come out normal and you do not have local skin changes (no redness or scales) then minoxidil local treatment can be tried. If there are redness and or scales, you can try one of the following: head and shoulders shampoo and if this is not helping enough in 4 weeks you may try ketoconazole shampoo. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Antoneta Zotaj, General & Family Physician