DS, 20, anxous about hair loss

[Eleanor04]

Anyone any thoughts or ideas, please? DS, 20, now very anxious about receding hairline. He's at uni so can't actually see him at the mo but he wants to see his GP asap. I didn't notice anything untoward when I last saw him a few weeks ago but of course this can arise at anytime. He thinks it may be genetic - DH's father, perhaps.

I've looked up other possible causes - betablockers are mentioned & he was precribed these (rather rashly in my view) for panic attacks/anxiety about his course. Not sure if he still taking these. Felt he could/should have seen the uni wellbeing service but he was having none of that.

Generally happy, seems to have very nice friends, though ups and downs with his course progress.

GP asap the best course of action now? Presumably, he'd be referred somewhere if it's serious, especiall as he's so young? Many thanks for any help!

[contortionist]

Hair loss at this age isn't all that uncommon. Of course there could be an underlying medical issue needing treatment, but most likely it's just standard-issue male pattern baldness.

I had a severely receding hairline and thinning on top from the age of 19, and the only thing that's worked for me is trimming my hair very short and embracing the new look. It's not so bad!

[NK346f2849X127d8bca260]

Probably male pattern baldness, a male friend of mine started receding at 18.
Baldness is hereditary to a degree, I have four sons and they worry about it as their father and his father do not have much on top!
Not a lot that can be done, but let him see that you are not bothered by it and try and boost his confidence.
A trip to doctors won't do any harm, I have never heard of hair loss on betablockers, been on them for 15 years.
There is a product called Regaine, dh tried it and did grow some fluff on top, but it was expensive.

[albertcampionscat]

Shaved heads can look pretty good.

[bonzo77]

DH started going bald around 18. He's shaved it ever since. He's also a pharmacist and says there's nothing that works long term to reverse it.

[MNetter15]

DH's started at 18 or so. He's mid 30's now with maybe half a head of hair. I know it must be distressing for a young man but I really don't think there's anything you can do

[sadie9]

Some fungal infections can cause patches of baldness, in kids anyway - like ringworm or similar. Also thyroid issues or iron deficiency too can impact hair loss. A trip to the GP would do no harm to rule out other causes.

[LavenderRains]

My DS started losing his hair at 16/ 17, there was a very quick period of it receding.
He went to GP who decided it was male pattern baldness. Blood test proved normal.
GP prescribed Minoxidil when he turned 18 but DS decided it was too expensive and time consuming.
He now has a cropped back and sides with a thicker bit on top.
He was very bothered about it to start with but seems to have come to terms with it a bit more now.
Get him to have a chat with his GP.

[Eleanor04]

Very many thanks, all of you, for such helpful responses. DS will go to GP asap - if only to allay any fears, discussion options, hear that this isn't altogether unusual. Doesn't help that he's in the midst of final year assignments and upcoming exams - as you say, keep reassuring him. I'll let you know how he gets on with his GP.

[1angrydwarf]

I hate to say it too but it's probably just normal. I've several male friends who started to recede and thin significantly in late teens/early 20s. One thing that might make him feel slightly better, a few of them found that after a few years of loss it did settle and some of them still aren't bald now (mid 30s) .