Category: Female Hair Loss

Hello Dr.

I am a 21yr old female. I am 5’5″ and 85kgs overweight girl. My TSH level is 7.49mg/dl. So I have hypothyroidism. I had started hair loss since the age of 12yrs. But I didn’t really notice it then. The hair loss then worsened gradually until at the age of 16yrs I developed a bald patch on the left lateral aspect of my scalp which slowly spread to my right lateral aspect also. This had affected my psychologically and socially. I am a MBBS student.

I had read that if there is excess Oestrogen levels then it gets converted into testosterone which causes hirudism and baldness. My question is this: does obesity cause baldness in any way? I am taking treatment for hypothyroidism and also am taking multi vitamin supplements. Still there is no improvement. In fact… My baldness is increasing. Kindly help me out please. Thank you

While obesity itself doesn’t cause female hair loss, stress and poor diet can certainly contribute. I’ve written the same thing before here.

Hypothyroid, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and many other medical issues can potentially cause hair loss. The goal is to treat the medical issues and the hair loss should slow down. You need to be followed by your physician. That is the best help I can offer.

I have lost more then 40% of my hair. My dermatologist said I am still actively shedding. I had hormone replacement. I was told in October of 2011 that my level was a 4. I have had a hysterectomy and am menopausal.

A pellet of testosterone was inserted sub-subcutaneously I February. I developed severe cystic acne, shortly after. My testosterone levels were three times the norm from my age (in the high 200s almost 300) and sex. My dermatologist advised me to not get implanted again- then three months later my hair began to fall out. My dermatologist said this also was a result of the drastic swing in my testosterone levels- they are still quite high.

The men in my family start to experience hair loss around age 20. I’ve never seen a female in my family lose hair,- they have it in their 90s. Shouldn’t women be warned that Hormone replacement therapy can cause hair loss? I have no other health issues, had no disease or took other medications that cause hair loss.

I realize you are experiencing hair loss, but I cannot say if hormone replacement itself is the cause or if there should be a mandatory warning label associated with the therapy. Menopause itself could be the cause or there may be other medical issues, as well. I believe you are under the care of a physician and communications between patient and doctor is the most important element. My point is, before you start any medical treatment, side effects and treatment issues should always be explored.

I am 26 years old, and I recently gave birth to my 2nd child (4 months old), and noticed a significant increase in hair loss. We are talking handfuls come out in the shower, or even just brushing my hair. In addition, my scalp has become incredibly itchy. Is it the stress? Are they related? What is causing it?

Some women complain of hair loss after child birth. It may be due to hormonal changes your body goes through, but it is not well understood. There is no cure for this phenomenon, but the hair grows back usually after about one year.

Hello

I am a 30 year old woman and I have been experiencing hair thinning especially in the front. I did a hormonal test a couple of years back and it came ok. Last year a dermatologist in Atlanta did a Hair and I was diagnosed with TE. He did nothing but to prescribe vitamins. My hair loss has not stopped. What shall I do? can you suggest a doctor or a treatment?

You should perhaps consider seeing another doctor for a second opinion, though I don’t have any personal recommendations in the Atlanta area.

In general, there is no definitive cure for women’s hair loss once other medical causes have been ruled out (anemia, thyroid conditions, etc). If you do have telogen effluvium, hair generally grows back after about one year.