Androgenic Alopecia 😔

[Sarahlouiseis33]

Hi All.

I’ve posted several times about the hairloss I’ve been suffering from for the last year & a half. Shedding when I wash & brush. Paid privately to see a dermatologist had a scalp biopsy and have been diagnosed with Androgenic Alopecia. Have been put back on the Dianette pill as this helped before when I had a lot of shedding. The pictures attached are today. I think it’s very noticeable now and have been suffering from depression because of it. Does anyone else have this??

I don’t see it at all.

Honestly, I see nothing that looks even vaguely unusual. Your hair Looks thick and healthy.

I genuinely can’t see it at all OP. You look to have a gorgeous head of hair.

I've never sought a diagnosis but I'm 39 and a mum of 1. My hair is so much thinner than it used to be that I find it quite upsetting. Yours isn't noticeable from the photo but I guess you can tell the difference. I hope the tablets help. I've looked online at a shampoo and conditioner by Aveda for hair loss but not committed because it's so expensive and I'm not sure if a shampoo or conditioner can help with hair loss...

Your hair looks really healthy. Have you had your iron and ferritin levels checked?

@rainbowninja - The contraceptive pill Dianette helped really reduce the shedding last time I was on it if that’s an option for you? That’s what my dermatologist has told me to go on. I’ve been back on it for four months and so far it’s not stopped the shedding but I’m keeping my fingers crossed it helps again xx

But, OP... are you taking in what people are saying?

Did your dermatologist actually confirm a problem ?

Is this an NHS specialist ?

Ok, I just saw you paid privately. What else have you paid for ?

@GhostCurry - sorry, what do you mean am I taking in what people are saying? xx

@AnyFucker - My GP wasn’t really interested just told me everyone loses hair but I know it’s not normal for me the amount I’ve been losing. I paid for the initial consultation, biopsy & follow up consultation. I had a feeling it was hormonal as my skin had become really quite oily when it’s my whole life been dry. Also coming off the pill I had no period to speak off, it was very very light almost non existent x

None of us can see a problem, so I am not surprised your GP was not interested.

I expected to see male pattern hairloss in your photo. It's absolutely nothing like that.

I’m saying this with kindness... I cannot see the issue. I have hair loss caused by immunosuppression drugs, and I have visible loss at temples, a little gap and mine’s much finer on top. Honestly yours looks thick & healthy.

My parting is more than an inch wide and the hair is thin and fine so doesn't cover well .... your hair looks amazing. I'd love to have your hair. Nothing to be down about at all. I don't think you're able to be objective about this.

Have you been tested for pcos? Genuinely though, your hair looks perfect, shedding or no shedding. Has your hairdresser noticed a difference or anyone close to you? I ask because I often get fixated on certain things, especially when I am anxious or stressed, and lose my objectivity somewhat.

Your hair looks totally normal, thicker than average in fact.

@AnyFucker @RyvitaBrevis @Puddlelane123 @Mellonsprite - I do have a tendency to massively overthink things but I’ve attached a photo of my hair before the shedding started. I can definitely notice quite a difference. My hair has always been fine there was just more of it xx

OP, you've posted in excess of 50 threads about your hair loss, hormone levels and general health in the last couple of years.

I mean this kindly, but your hair looks normal, but perhaps it's time to seek some treatment for health anxiety, and I wish you the best of luck with that.

Have you heard about the increase in Tellogen Effluvium reported by dermatoligists due to stress caused by lockdown (and covid infections). This has happened to me before (after illness and babies). It usually happens a few months after the stressor. I have shed loads of hair and now have lots of sticky up baby hairs all over, rather unruly. Just a thought.

I don't think you have androgenic alopecia. I have, my hair really does not look like yours.

@SpeedofaSloth - that’s what the biopsy showed. What does Androgenic alopecia look like? My hair loss is diffuse but most noticeable around my parting x

I really can't see any patches but I'll suggest vitamin D. It changed my life. I had alopecia areata, I had colds and chest infections all the time and I was really tired. When possible get a blood test but for know take a single tablet every day. Fantastic stuff.

www.regaine.co.uk/women/hair-loss/symptoms

Sorry OP what are we looking for? I can't see anything wrong.

Androgenic alopecia isn’t diagnosed with a scalp biopsy. It’s diagnosed through blood tests and observation as it’s not diffuse loss but a very distinctive pattern of loss.

A scalp biopsy leaves a permanent scar so it’s only used when they suspect a malignancy or a connective tissue disease. Can we see your scar?