Dermatologist and hair loss - is it usual to not examine scalp?

[NonsensicalHair]

Went to see a dermatologist last week about hair loss. She asked a lot of questions and eventually settled on what she felt the problem was. She didn't once look at my scalp/hair, which surprised me. I'd been led to believe, by the GP and online info, that a dermatologist would examine the scalp/hair to help to establish what the underlying issue may be. Perhaps it makes a difference that she thought the hair loss was hormonal, so she didn't think it necessary to examine my scalp?

I'm just wondering if this is quite usual and possibly even standard practice if the doctor is quite certain of what the problem is, via questioning? It's niggling at me and I'm a bit wary of using the minoxidil prescribed if my hair loss could be dealt with differently.

Should have said; the dermatologist said that the hair loss was due to too much progesterone. I'm 51 and peri menopausal. Can't have HRT as when I tried that, my hair fell out!

I can’t comment as I am speaking of a friend who had significant hair loss (she was in her mid 20s). She saw a trichologist and he was able to tell her what was wrong and what she needed to do medication/ vitamins wise from blood tests. After years of significant hair loss, she started to get regrowth. A few years on and her hair is fantastic.

Dermatologist did look at my scalp when I went. It was the first thing she did really then she asked questions and did bloods etc after.

Maybe If you'd had blood work done before the appointment she could tell from that what the issue was?

@tierneytarny do you know what she was advised to do by any chance?

@Doublechins - she looked at some blood results from my GP and seemed to suggest that there was nothing there that indicated a problem. The GP never tested my progesterone levels, they said they don't do that unless someone is trying to conceive. I can't help thinking that if my progesterone levels ARE the issue, that maybe there'normal'?s something I can take to bring them back to 'normal' - though maybe that's where HRT comes in? It's all so confusing at the moment.

@Windy1234 I’m not sure I’m afraid but she said that it was the best money she had ever spent seeing the trichologist after years of trying hair systems and wigs. When he checked her blood work, things her GP was classing as normal were in fact borderline and so needed treating.