Month: January 2023

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My Doctor Says There’s No Way My Female Hair Loss Is Thyroid Related!

I am deeply troubled with my recent hair loss. I am a 62 year old female and have been on synthroid for 2 1/2 years at 88mg.I have just had a blood test that came back at a level of .087 and told by my doctor that I am in the normal range. He said theres no way my hair loss is thyroid related and has set me up to see a dermatologist. I cant get in there for 3 more months and I’m experiencing a very high level of anxiety over the amount of hair I’m losing. I’ve started with thioxin and am taking a hair supplement purchased on the internet called hair genisis that I;ve been taking for a month but hasnt improved. I started reading everything I could re: hairloss and am now wondering if its my adrenal glands. I have gotten beyond obbsessive about all this feel like I have no where to go for help. I dont know if I’m taking too high a dose or too low a dose of synthroid or if is the synthroid itself causing the hair loss. How do I know if the t4 is converting into t3 properly. I’m afraid I’ll go completely bald before anyone listens to me. Can you give me some advice???

I would trust your doctor to treat your thyroid issues with the dose of medication that he prescribed, but Synthroid (levothyroxine) does list “mild hair loss” as a possible side effect (see Drugs.com). While hair loss from a thyroid issue is possible, it is unlikely to continue as you are being treated for your thyroid issues. Without the benefit of knowing your medical history or being your doctor, I’m guessing that the Synthroid is not the cause, as you’ve been taking it for over 2 years and your hair loss started just recently. An interesting post with more links can be found at WomensHairLossProject.com.

If you do not believe you are being adequately treated you should express these concerns to your doctor. Also, I don’t know that you should wait 3 months to get medical attention. I either would call your doctor’s office to find out what he can recommend to speed up the evaluation process, or perhaps get a referral to a different dermatologist.


2008-06-13 11:59:32My Doctor Says There’s No Way My Female Hair Loss Is Thyroid Related!

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My Doctor Said to Use Propecia Daily for a Month, Then Every Other Day Afterwards

I’m a 22 year old suffering from hair loss. I was using 5% Minoxidil at the advice of my local physician for the past 2 years with limited sucess as it managed to slow my hair loss but not reverse it. After seeing a dermatologist recently, he advised me to use propecia once a day for a month and then take it every other day afterwards.

He said that after a month Propecia will lower DHT levels in my system and will be effective for 72 hrs which is why he said I only need it every other day as this will save me money. Do you believe that by taking propecia this way it will have the same effect as using it once a day?

The recommended dose of Propecia is one pill a day for treating hair loss. I do not understand you doctor’s logic, but I will defer the treatment to your doctor as you are under his care… not mine.

I do know that Propecia’s half life in your blood stream is 4 to 6 hours, which means most of the drug will be gone from your blood stream in one day.

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My Doctor Said SMP Alone Would be a Mistake For My Norwood 6 Pattern

Hey Dr Rassman. I hope your doing well.

I had a consultation with my hair doctor. At which i brought up the proposition of a combined SMP and hair transplant procedure. His response was the 2 would compliment each other well but just SMP alone would be a mistake. What are your thoughts does SMP look more natural when done in conjunction with hair transplantation?

And lastly i recall reading about a young man who won the American Dream contest a few years back. You performed surgery on him as my balding pattern would be close to his (ill prolly wind up developing into a class 6)and our ages are close or were im 23 now(i have been on finasreide since 20) i am interested to see his results. Thank you.

Each person is a separate case. I can not tell you that Scalp MicroPigmentation (SMP) plus hair transplants is better than either alone. I make each judgment when I understand the patient, when I see how fast the hair loss process is, and when I can then build a Master Plan. Generally, the hair transplant is the way I start, adding SMP on only a minority of patients.

As for the winner of the American Dream Vote television show (see here if you don’t remember the single episode that aired before it was canceled), the last update photos we had to publish were from 2009 and can be found here.


2011-07-09 07:49:06My Doctor Said SMP Alone Would be a Mistake For My Norwood 6 Pattern

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My Doctor Said My Hair is Fine, But I Want You to Judge It

Hey Doc,

I’ve been concerned about my hair for nearly two years now. I’m 21, nearly 22.

I went to my GP who said there wasn’t a problem with my hair, and that I didn’t need to go to a dermatologist. However, I’m still a bit iffy about it. I (think) I have a natural parting down the middle of my head. You be the judge. But either way, am concerned about miniaturisation and recession.

Based on those pictures (taken a couple of months ago), can you see if there is anything I should be concerned about with my hair? Hairline and crown/top of hair.

Feel free to post pics if this gets posted. Thanks.

 

I just chose a few photos to post out of the 35 or so you sent in the link, but I appreciate you allowing us to publish them.

I think you should listen to your doctor. Based on photos alone, your hair seems fine. I’m not seeing any cause for concern, and your hair looks great. We can let all the readers judge as well. Click the photos to enlarge.

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My Doctor Said I Wasn’t Programmed to Have Crown Loss, So Propecia Wasn’t Necessary

First, I can’t thank you enough for maintaining this resource–it’s alleviated a lot of my anxiety about hair loss simply by giving my a place to find answers to my questions.

I recently had a consultation with a surgeon about reshaping my temples. I’m 29, and probably a NW2-3. (I’ve had relatively high temples since high school, though the spaces have expanded slowly since though then.) He ultimately recommended 1100 grafts to fill in my temples and create a relatively straight hairline.

I have two questions:

1. He told me that diet has a significant impact on hair loss, second to genetics. He advised a vitamin regimen of L-Lysine, Vitamin E, Saw Palmetto, MSM, Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate, and Ester-C. In addition, he recommended that I stop consuming creatine, and eat a sulphite/nitrite-free diet that’s rich in antioxidants and low in refined sugar and bleached flour. I realize that much of this might be good health advice generally, but does it have any non-negligible connection to hair loss? I appreciate interest in my general welfare, but this had me a tad skeptical.

2. After examining the entirety of my hair, he told me that I’m “programmed” for hair loss not beyond a NW3. He did not conduct a miniaturization study; this was a “naked eyeball” examination. Because he didn’t think I’m “programmed” for any crown-area loss, he said Propecia wouldn’t be necessary. Should I take this pronouncement with a grain of salt, or could he accurately reach that conclusion via the type of examination he made?

Many thanks, and all the best. If it’s at all relevant, he did not recommend any type of hairline lowering, but simply filling in the temples and leaving the forelock as is.

While it is possible that you won’t advance beyond a Norwood class 3 hairline, I don’t trust doctors who give eyeball opinions for predicting hair loss. There are some good tests (miniaturization mapping and better yet, bulk analysis) that will tell you with some certainty if you are balding.

The decision to take drugs like finasteride should be based upon clinical evidence of balding. You might want to consider getting a second opinion, hopefully from a doctor that can give you a more thorough analysis of your hair. If you aren’t balding, Propecia isn’t necessary (though you should consider it to prevent shock loss from any hair transplant you may have). If you do have early balding, now would be the best time to start the medication.

As for the recommended vitamins, I am not a nutritionist, so your doctor’s suggestions may be good ones for your overall health. I wouldn’t expect to see lush hair growth upon taking them, though. None of those have satisfactory evidence linking them to treating genetic hair loss.

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My doctor said I shouldn’t transplant the crown

I am naturally a Norwood 3-temple recession and minor crown recession as well.

Had a 1200 graft hair transplant last year on my temples, and slightly slowered the hairline. The doc did not put enough grafts in, so I am getting a 2nd HT Nov 20 for an additional 300-500 grafts to fill it in, free of charge (there was sooo much drama surrounding this, see my post history for more info).

My crown was not operated on during my last HT, but since I am already going under the knife, I would really like my crown filled in as well. I’m not sure how to rate my crown loss-I guess a Norwood 2- in that my crown clearly has loss, but it is not unbearable. Sort of like how Norwood 2 on the hairline is noticeable, but a lot of people can still get away with it.

Both my doc and another doc in the office looked at my crown. They both advised against getting grafts on my crown. One of the docs said he never operates on the crown on people under 40 (I am 30) because of potential future loss. They also said I do have significant hair on the crown still (albeit miniaturized) and putting new grafts in could shock loss out these already fragile hairs. Essentially, they are saying that while I clearly have crown loss, it is not bad enough to merit a hair transplant for it.

I was very disappointed these docs advised against operating on the crown. My arguments for getting a crown are, if they do grafts on it and I do have future loss, I am prepared to get a 3rd HT. I am currently taking Dut and using Rogaine on this area, so not sure if I would even have more loss.

The docs recommended SMP as an option for the crown. I actually visited an SMP guy Thursday. It just seems like so much maintenance. The tattoo only lasts 4-6 years, have to put sunscreen on it everyday. Nervous it would look unnatural. So don’t want to do SMP.

Toppik works VERY WELL on the area, but again, it is still a lot of maintenance. And I would rather have the permanent option of a HT. I’m kind of confused as well. I’m sure if I consulted other doctors, or went to Turkey, I could find a reasonable # of doctors who would work on the crown. Not sure why both these docs are advising against it.

My questions are:

-Should I insist my doc operate on my crown?

-Has anyone here had any experience with doctors advising not to get grafts on the crown?

-Would you side with the doctors or me in this situation?

-Any advice on how to deal with crown loss? Toppik works very well, but Id rather have the permanence of a HT.

Transplanting the crown is something that I have been doing for 29 years with no problems. Clearly the issue is skill of the doctor, experience, and proper indications for doing it (never too early if it responds to minoxidil for example). I have had my crown transplanted and it looks great!


2020-02-20 17:47:42My doctor said I shouldn’t transplant the crown

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My Doctor Said I Should Take Oral Minoxidil for Treating Hair Loss

hello, i recently started propecia and minoxidil tablets one each daily. here in japan doctor said minoxidil tablet is ok, but i read on internet it is only for heart problem. is it ok to take it for my hair loss? thank you very much

Without seeing the patient in person for my own assessment and examination, I do not usually like to override another doctor’s opinion since they may have their own reasoning for giving a particular recommendation.

But in this case, I disagree with taking oral minoxidil tablets (also known as Loniten) for treating hair loss.

Perhaps you misheard your doctor or were confused by the instructions. Oral minoxidil is a blood pressure lowering medication. Topical minoxidil is a hair loss treatment. Propecia is an oral hair loss treatment you can take (with a doctor’s prescription).


2014-01-08 11:51:51My Doctor Said I Should Take Oral Minoxidil for Treating Hair Loss

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My Doctor Said I Only Need to Take Propecia Every Other Day

Hi I have been using Propecia for just over 6 months with no visible benefits so far. I understand that it can take anwhere up to 18 months for you to see results.

The trichologist that I have been seeing and who prescibed the Propecia has told me that the half life is such that I only need to take it every other day. Which is what I’ve been doing for the last 6 months. Is this correct?

Thanks for your site its a great help.

Half life of Propecia is around 4 hours. The half life is the time it takes half of the drug to be out of your blood stream. Let’s do the math…

6am – take Propecia (assume 100% got into your blood stream…)
10am – 50% of Propecia is in your blood stream
2pm – 25% of Propecia is in your blood stream
6pm – 12.5% of Propecia is in your blood stream
10pm -6.25% of Propecia is in your blood stream
2am – 3.125% of Propecia is in your blood stream
6am – (a day later) only 1.5625% of Propecia is in your blood stream

Realistically, all the Propecia is out of your blood stream after 24 hrs. That is why you take Propecia once a day.

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My Doctor Said I Don’t Have Gynecomastia, But I Feel a Lump on My Chest

Dear Doctor,

Your website has been extremely helpful in dealing with my hair loss. I began losing my hair at 21. By age 22 i began taking propecia, and it has worked great thus far. I regrew almost all the hair i lost. I am now 28, and last year i developed a mild case of gyno (I think). I went to my prescribing doctor and had the lump evaluated. He sent me for a mammogram & ultrasound. Nothing showed up, however i can feel a lump. The doctor said I shouldnt worry about it, because i have several fatty tissues all over my body. I was not diagnosed with gyno because the lump was not under the nipple.

Recently, I have notice another lump in my chest (other side). Does this sound like gyno? Should i continue taking propecia if i am developing breast lumps? I know it sounds silly, but id rather have benign lumps in my chest then baldness. Will reducing my dosage help? I am currently taking 1mg daily. Your feedback will be greatly appreciated!

You had a mammogram and ultrasound, and were told you didn’t have gynecomastia, so I am not sure what more I can contribute. I haven’t examined you, nor am I your prescribing doctor.

From the few cases of gynecomastia I have seen from Propecia, they have been painful, however, there still could be a connection. If you are looking for a second opinion or reassurance, the Internet is not the place. You need to see another doctor for an in-person exam to get a second opinion. I suppose in the most extreme circumstance you can have the lumps removed, but I have no idea if what you’re experiencing is even related to taking Propecia. Reducing the Propecia dose may or may not help, because again, I do not know if it is related to the lumps.

Many men (not on Propecia) still have fatty breast tissue. This is a sensitive subject for them and some men undergo a cosmetic procedure to remove the lumps. My point is that this is a difficult decision that you should talk through with your doctor.

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My Doctor Said Finasteride Makes Prostate Cancer Untreatable!

After much consideration, I finally made an appointment with my physician to discuss going on Propecia to halt further hair loss. I figured that I really couldn’t lose – a drug to stop my hair loss and help reduce my chance of getting prostate cancer. A double threat – sounded like a good idea! My doctor who is very knowledgeable informed me of something I had never heard before. He said that even though Propecia (finasteride) helps to prevent prostate cancer in most men – some men do develop prostate cancer anyway, even while on the drug. He said the prognosis for treatment of prostate cancer is very good, but if you are one of the men who develop prostate cancer WHILE ON FINASTERIDE the cancer is extremely aggressive and you will undoubtably die from the disease. He said since I do not have any of the risk factors for developing prostate cancer, he did not think it was worth chancing developing an untreatable form of prostate cancer to save my hair. Have you ever heard this…that even though Propecia helps to reduce the risk of prostate cancer that if you get the disease anyway, that it is untreatable due to it being so aggressive?

The report on the study of over 15,000 men showed that although the cancer risk on 5mg of finasteride for 7 years decreased the incidence of cancer by 25%, of those who did get cancer, the classification of aggressiveness (judged by the Gleason score) is higher in some of the prostate cancers found. This is a pathologist’s description of the tumor based on appearance under a microscope.

There is some controversy on this issue, because some doctors believe that the Gleason score may not be indicative of the reality seen in long term follow-ups of these cancers, which I believe did not show more clinical aggressiveness. One medical paper discussed the overall risk to life when one compared the decreased incidence of 25% for cancers in patients on long term finasteride, with the risks to life with a possible more aggressive tumor. The claim that one risk may offset the other was in consideration. Where ever the truth lies, this finding is what it is without any final conclusions drawn at this time.