Sudden Hair loss (and also gradual thinning)

[Bicyclegirrl]

Hi there,
I am mostly concerned with my sudden hair loss right now; but it could be connected to my hair thinning. I am a 45 year old female, and I have been experiencing increased hair loss over the past three months. It started getting progressively worse a month ago. At first, it was three or four hairs coming out of a small area once a day. And now it is probably 6-7 hairs over several small areas everyday. I say probably because I put my hair up because I can't stand to be reminded of my hair loss throughout the day. Unfortunately, I have been getting a lot of knots in my hair towards the bottom of my hair from the hair coming out. My hair has been tangling more easily in general late too. I am trying to figure out what's going on and how to stop it before it's too late. Especially the extreme hair loss.

Here is what's happened at the doctor. Dermatologist:Scalp biopsy they think I may have androgenic alopecia, possibly along with telogen effluvium. I think the first diagnosis is strange, because I don't have any one in family on either side with this condition which is genetic. The second condition: I can't think of any thing stressful emotionally or physical that would trigger this. The timing is right for it to be my ketoconazole for dandruff. Both my physician and doctor don't think so. I dyed small sections of different parts of my hair within a week of each other, 2 or 3 weeks in a row. *My thyroid tests are good, and they are checking my estradiol, testosterone, and some other hormone that has a long acronym, that I believe begins with a L? I think they are testing the hormone that is associated with telogen effluvium next. They gave me this steroid scalp oil called flucinolone acetonide that will hopefully help the rapid hair loss. Any ideas on the cause?

 

[Bigmac]

It sounds like you have covered the main causes of female hair loss. I’d check your vitamin D levels too, if it’s low, hair loss can happen. Conditions such as LPP can be the cause.
If it is androgenetic alopecia you could check into Finasteride and Minoxidil. A good hair restoration doctor is worth seeing for an in person consultation.

 

[Bicyclegirrl]

I am seeing a dermatologist. How would I go about finding a good hair doctor? I live in the United States, Oregon.

 

[Bigmac]

I would contact Dr Gabel

Hair Transplants Portland OR | Hair Restoration Seattle WA Portland Oregon | Gabel Center

Dr. Gabel is a leading hair restoration doctor serving both Portland & Seattle and offers Hair Transplants for those looking to enhance overall appearance.

www.gabelcenter.com

He is a very good doctor that will be able to help diagnose and treat your hair loss.

 

[janna]

I concur that visiting a hair restoration doctor is a good idea and Dr Gabel in Oregon is excellent.
Do you have any recent pics and pics from 5-6 months ago before you started noticing hair loss?

 

[Bicyclegirrl]

I would contact Dr Gabel
He is a very good doctor that will be able to help diagnose and treat your hair loss.

I want to thank you both for the suggestions. *I have submitted a form for Dr Gabel. I am just so scared. I know I have to wait for test results, but my hair is coming out so rapidly. I feel like there is nothing to do to control what is happening-- I'm frustrated when I am doing all I can.** It also looks like I might be losing hair from my eyebrows too;could this be related to all the anxiety I am having or was thing going to happen anyway? My heartbeat was 121bpm at the doctor last Friday. Also, my acne on my face has gotten worse.

*It is funny how people are too. I have been talking to my mom about your suggestion. I am an adult, but I have been leaning on her a lot. She told me to just wait because I am still waiting for test results before trying to contact this doctor. She also said that some doctors won't see you without a referral. I didn't expect to not have her support on this. Another friend that is normally supportive practically crammed it down my throat about how I need to cut my hair short. And still argued with me when I have been told by multiple sources and a hair dresser that this doesn't make it so you lose less strands. I am going to fight for my hair. I just don't like it when people are not supportive; I have enough anxiety as it is; and it is my choice.

**I saw something online that you can put olive oil/honey on your eyebrows once a day to thicken your eyebrows.

PS. I will try to see if I can find a good picture of myself, Janna. Thank you.

 

[Bicyclegirrl]

I want to thank you both for the suggestions. *I have submitted a form for Dr Gabel. I am just so scared. I know I have to wait for test results, but my hair is coming out so rapidly. I feel like there is nothing to do to control what is happening-- I'm frustrated when I am doing all I can.** It also looks like I might be losing hair from my eyebrows too;could this be related to all the anxiety I am having or was thing going to happen anyway? My heartbeat was 121bpm at the doctor last Friday. Also, my acne on my face has gotten worse.

*It is funny how people are too. I have been talking to my mom about your suggestion. I am an adult, but I have been leaning on her a lot. She told me to just wait because I am still waiting for test results before trying to contact this doctor. She also said that some doctors won't see you without a referral. I didn't expect to not have her support on this. Another friend that is normally supportive practically crammed it down my throat about how I need to cut my hair short. And still argued with me when I have been told by multiple sources and a hair dresser that this doesn't make it so you lose less strands. I am going to fight for my hair. I just don't like it when people are not supportive; I have enough anxiety as it is; and it is my choice.

**I saw something online that you can put olive oil/honey on your eyebrows once a day to thicken your eyebrows.

PS. I will try to see if I can find a good picture of myself, Janna. Thank you.

PS. I wanted to add that I brushed my hair out thoroughly and took out all the knots last night. Then I ran my fingers through my hair a couple of times in an area and lost another 37 hairs.

 

[Bicyclegirrl]

Update: Talked to a lady at Dr Gabel's office that was nice. =)* She said that she wasn't sure that Dr Gabel would be able to help me much; his primary focus is hair transplants, and related items. But that I should write Dr Gable another "email" and include some of the extra information I gave her over the phone. She said that he might be able to point out anything obvious to him that my doctor should or shouldn't be doing. *He usually refers people to NW Dermatology Institute for medical related issues. This lady said that it would be a few days before Dr Gabel gets back to me.

Once again, I want to thank both BigMac and Janna for referring me to and/or endorsing Dr Gabel. =)

 

[Bicyclegirrl]

.

It sounds like you have covered the main causes of female hair loss. I’d check your vitamin D levels too, if it’s low, hair loss can happen. Conditions such as LPP can be the cause.
If it is androgenetic alopecia you could check into Finasteride and Minoxidil. A good hair restoration doctor is worth seeing for an in person consultation.

Also, I would be worried on getting on one of those medications if I were to get pregnant. I have heard that Minoxidil, at least is not something you want to be on if you are. I know there is a topical form, so maybe that could be safe? Thanks again, Bigmac! =)

 

[ninaross]

You can consider visiting a functional medicine doctor near you. He/She would be able to identify the root cause of your hair loss. Many times hair loss happens when there's something wrong inside the body. The doctor will take a comprehensive approach to your health and will be able to uncover the root cause of your health concerns.

 

[Bicyclegirrl]

You can consider visiting a functional medicine doctor near you. He/She would be able to identify the root cause of your hair loss. Many times hair loss happens when there's something wrong inside the body. The doctor will take a comprehensive approach to your health and will be able to uncover the root cause of your health concerns.

Great, thank you, Nina! I did go to a nutritionist the other day; and it looks like I need to consume more protein and possibly be tested for Celiac disease. I think there is a more holistic type of doctor I can go to as well. But I will look into functional medicine as well.

 

[ninaross]

Yes, Sure. Thank you