Will a GP be able to do anything about thinning hair?

[BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz]

I am mid 30s. My hair has thinned massively over the last year. I now have a stupidly wide parting due to the hair loss, and significant patches where my scalp is visible through the top (now v thin) layer of hair.

I dont want to go see the gp if theres a chance they will fob me off. It will be so disheartening to be told "theres nothing we can do, live with it".

Has anyone had this and successfully received treatment which has worked?

I've always had incredibly thick hair. It's very upsetting.

They may do blood tests to check your thyroid and anything else that could be making your hair thin.

There may be a medical reason for the hair loss.
E.g. thyroid issues can affect hair.

Do consult your GP.

My GPs response was “Well what do you expect me to do about that?”
So i hope yours gives a better response!
You need blood tests for thyroid, iron and vitamin D.

I think you'll probably need to go to a trichologist.

I will do. Honestly I'm not at all vain, but this has really got to me.

I'm low maintenance, I dont even dye my hair so feel like I haven't even intentionally done something to cause it (not that Im saying anyone who dyes their hair is to blame for hair loss).

I was diagnosed with female pattern baldness in my late 30s (onset several years before this), and Philip Kingsley have been brilliant, if expensive. I am on hormone drops for my scalp.

I agree that this could be a symptom of an underlying problem worth investigating. Definitely speak to your GP!

For what it’s worth, my GP recommended a biotin supplement for post pregnancy hair loss. But if I were you I would still book an appointment. Good luck!

They may not be interested in it as a problem which needs correcting in its own right, but they may be interested in it as a symptom of a deeper problem - thyroid issues are the most obvious cause.

It could be thyroid, it could be hormonal. Either way, you'll almost certainly need a blood test to rule various things out and to check your levels, e.g. Iron, Ferritin, Oestrogen, Zinc, B12, D3.

Can you think of any reason for the hair loss? Childbirth, stress, change in diet eg veganism? If none of these apply, it would be worth seeing your GP to rule out a medical cause, such as hypothyroidism, which is detected by doing a blood test. Usually you'd have some other symptoms too, such as weight gain, tiredness, dry skin, menstrual changes.

The hormonal changes of perimenopause can also lead to hair loss, but at your age it's unlikely (although not impossible).

There are things that can be done to improve the situation. I haven't tried it myself, but many people recommend biotin, which you can get from health food shops.

I've completed the e-consult and it says the gp will review my answers and contact me by Tuesday evening. In the form I have asked for bloods.

Sometimes there is a reversible cause so it is definitely worth making a gp appointment. Sadly , they cannot always find something to treat but that is not being fobbed off that is just fact. Hopefully you will find a cause and your GP will be sympathetic.

I've definelty put on weight in the last year, around 1 stone.

As pp have said blood tests are needed. While you are waiting though have you considered a wig to help you feel less self conscious? A friends sister has alopecia and she has found wigs very useful. Good ones can be expensive. I hope your GP can find a cause.

Oh if they cant do anything because "it is X, there is no cure" fine. I will have to make my peace with that.

I dont want "well, it could be any number of things, which we probably cant fix, so get on with it"

Blood tests should help find the cause.

If, once you've been to the GP, you feel things haven't been dealt with, then I'd consider Philip Kingsley. Frankly, my GP wouldn't have a clue, and while there are minimum levels they look for, reading bloods from a trichology point of view is far more nuanced.

PK treats all kinds of baldness, not just hormonal. But if it is hormonal, the sooner you go, the better. Like HRT, it's better to start the drops earlier rather than later. (They are topical, not oral, btw.)

It will be pot luck with a GP but it's worth going there as a first option. Mine put me on Dianette for hair loss caused by PCOS and it's worked really well.

E-consult came back with appointment for bloods today (shocked at how quickly, wonder if I caught a cancellation), with a follow up with a specific gp next week (wonder if they have recommended that one for a reason?)

Oh good, well done Bernadette.
You could ask at bloods appt if that GP has a special interest in a particular medical issue?

I just checked on the website and they are listed as "all hair and skin matters" so hopefully they will be a bit more knowledgeable as their specified interest.

When they do bloods do they analyse for specific things or test the blood for anything and everything?

All hair and skin matters gets a thumbs up from me.

I don't know re the blood analysis, sorry. Again, ask at your appointment today. Sorry to be a bit crap here!

Oh dont apologise it's nice to have someone to chat with.

Nurse wasnt sure what the bloods are to be tested for - she just draws them as instructed then off they go. She took three vials. She did say though that if they come back "normal" and I'm sure there is something there, to raise it

Prob a couple of weeks for results ime.

You need to get the actual results so you can see for yourself. Don't accept "normal" as a conclusion. You could be borderline with something. My hair loss turned out to be due to low iron due to gastrointestinal problems (which were asymptomatic at that point.