Is there any difference in visual or physical characteristics between a balding hairline and a maturing one? Does one do something different than the other? Or will early balding look exactly like hairline maturation and vice versa?
Most men who ask this question are in their teens and twenties who see slight recession of their frontal hairline. Yes, it may be a sign of early balding, but each and every patient is different and only time will tell. Sorry. The difference between early hairline thinning and hairline maturing can be difficult to spot just by looking. Read through this older post about juvenile and mature hairlines (with photos), as it could provide some help.
You can also follow up with your doctor for miniaturization study and/of hair bulk measurement if he/she has the HairCheck tool available.