Hair Loss Causes – Page 219

February 15, 2008

I Have Red Hair — My Dad’s Family Has Red Hair, My Mom’s Family Line Is Balding – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi

I have red hair and it comes from my father’s side of the family only. The men on this side of the family have their hair but the men on my mom’s side (who do not have the red hair gene)all suffer from MPB.

My hair is starting to form into Norwood Scale 2: is it possible I could go bald too even though the red hair gene comes from my dad’s side?

Thank you for your help.

The color of you hair, along with other physical characteristics you inherited, are carried in different genes than the ones associated with MPB. The genetic predisposition for balding is inherited from either your father’s and mother’s sides, with more weight on your maternal lineage (48% for father’s side vs 52% for mom). There is a possibility that you may develop MPB. You need to be examined by an expert, someone who will map out your scalp hair for miniaturization to determine if you will be losing your hair. If you are in the early stages of hair loss, then you need a Master Plan to determine how to proceed with your hair loss treatments.

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February 14, 2008

Hair Loss InformationI Had Several Hair Transplants – Will Testosterone Therapy Cause Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I am a 53 yr old male who is considering have testosterone therapy. I have male pattern baldness and had several hair transplants,including one in your office in Fort Lee, NJ and one from your colleague in Fort Lee, NJ My hair looks fine now and have had no significant hair loss for years. Will low doses of testosterone cause me to have hair loss?

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As we all know, testosterone is converted to DHT, which is the main culprit in male pattern hair loss. There is always a risk, maybe low, that testosterone will cause hair loss since. It may help knowing if there is miniaturization in the remaining hair along the edge where the transplants were placed. Miniaturized hair may be affected by testosterone and DHT.

February 14, 2008

If Hair Loss Is Not From Environmental Factors, Why Does Hair Only Fall Out On Top? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

My question is that when men are bald why is it usually only on the top of the head? it seems as though environmental factors should be considered as a cause. Sun, wearing hats, showering etc.

Now i understand that most causes seem to be genetic but it just makes me very curious why it would not be the whole head.

The sun, wearing hats, showering, etc. will not impact hair loss. It is all in the genetics. If I knew the answer to why genetic hair loss only impacted the top of the head (not counting diseases like alopecia universalis), I could be a rich man. Unfortunately, the answer is not known.

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February 14, 2008

Hypothyroidism and Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Good day doctor, I was reading a short article about hypothyroidism, and I was left with a few lingering thoughts. Perhaps you might be able to answer my questions:

a) Would you say that hair loss due to hypothyroidism is a common or a rare incidence among those who suffer from hair loss?
b) Or, among the various symptoms of hypothyroidism, is hair loss a common or rare occurrence?

I understand that there may not be good statistics to answer these questions, but perhaps you might be able to shed some light, based on your experience.

Hair loss is one of many symptoms of hypothyroidism, but the frequency of it is not reported. Patients suffering from hypothyroidism usually have other symptoms along with hair loss, including weight gain, cold intolerance, fatigue, weakness, constipation, and depression. The diagnosis of hypothyroidism is made through blood testing for the level of T4 (the main thyroid hormone) and TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone).

Most of the patients in our practice suffer from male pattern baldness (MPB). Patients concerned about hair loss should have a miniaturization study to determine if the pattern is consistent with MPB or if there is an underlying medical condition causing the hair loss.

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February 13, 2008

Merck’s Site Doesn’t Say Anything About Initial Shedding from Propecia – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Dear Doctor,

Great website !!

Re: Propecia and Minoxidil – The reality please

I am been sending you several emails regarding the following questions which I very much appreciate if you could answer:

– Propecia and initial shedding: Several comments on the internet mention that this medication may cause increased shedding at the beginning of the treatment (3 to 4 months). However, nothing thereupon is mentioned in the Merck product description. Moreover, this does not correspond to the timeline for results indicated in the propecia website (www.propecia.com). This website indeed indicates that one may on the contrary expect reduction of hair loss within 3 months and some regrowth within 6 to 12 months. Similarly, several dermatologists to whom I spoke indicated to me that this initial shedding my occurr with Minoxidil (which acts as a growth stimulant) but not with Propecia. What is your experience in this area with your patients. What is the reality please ? If initial shedding was a common effect of Propecia I am sure Merck would have mentioned it in the product description just like the makers of Rogaine did for Minoxidil ?

Minoxidil 12.5 + Azelic Acid 5 % in the form of a cream: I have been advised by a clinic in London to combine the use of Propecia with this cream. However, I am 36 years old and I have JUST started to thin (on the crown but not on the temples and hair line). Do you think that addition is necessary or would propecia be enough.

Age concern: I hear that propecia best works for men under 30. However, if I have just started to thin (since a year) at 36, does this mean that the medication will have little effect.

Many thanks

I have never actually seen a patient with shedding from Propecia (finasteride 1mg), but I have read many such complaints through this site. Maybe I just get the unusual bad news. Maybe there’s some commonality (outside of taking the Propecia) that isn’t being said. That is a problem with getting one email from a random reader that I may never hear from again. I don’t have enough medical history to really know what to make of it all. I can not comment on adding the combination of minoxidil 12.5 and azelaic acid 5% cream, but the acid does irritate and may cause increase absorption of the minoxidil (that is the theory, anyway).

You are correct that the best results from Propecia are in younger men, but I have seen many men in their 30s get wonderful benefits from the drug. It will be what it is and it will be better results than not trying the drug at all.

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February 11, 2008

Testosterone Supplement Caused Massive Hair Loss Within 4 Days – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I’ve been taking propecia and using Rogaine for 8 months now with great results. Recently, I purchased and started to take a natural testosterone supplement. Within 4 days I witnessed an enormous amount of hair loss. I immediately stopped taking the product and since then my hair has stopped falling out. Will the hair I lost every come back? Will I recover from this stupid mistake?

While in theory what you describe is conceivable, it seems very strange a supplement can cause such rapid (in 4 days) hair loss — even if it was a testosterone supplement. I really do not have an opinion on whether your hair will grow back, since I really don’t know what caused your hair loss. You may consider seeing your doctor for his/her opinion and an in-person examination.

February 11, 2008

The Term “Mature Hairline” Sounds Like Something Made Up – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

The term mature hairline sounds like a cop out to me made up by doctors. Explain if I am wrong here. A mature hairline is considered some slight recession that most men get at a certain age regardless of if they are balding or not. Wouldnt then it follow a NW 7 would simply be a hairline that is more mature then the normal hairline and hence balding would not even exist as a term right?

I do not believe you are understanding the difference between the mature hairline and male pattern baldness (MPB).

Most Caucasians (95%) will have a mature hairline as they “mature” from their teens to twenties, but about half of the men will have genetic balding, otherwise known as androgenic alopecia (AGA) or male pattern baldness (MPB) by the time they reach the age of 50. The term “mature hairline” is not some hype or concocted term, as it does describe what happens as the juvenile (your 12 year old hairline) changes into an adult hairline. Use your eyes at shopping centers and observe men over 30 and you will see just what I am talking about.

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February 11, 2008

Very Oily Scalp Is Itchy and Flaky – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

i am 23 male. when i wakeup in morning a oil comes on my head and thats oily material also come on back of my ears too and between those ears and bit on nose. if i dont rinse my hair that oil turns in to flakes and scales on my head and gets itchy. i am losing my hairs too. whats treatment to that problem? what can i use to cure the hair loss and what is that disease?

I could list many disease possibilities that could be causing your problem. Are you really losing your hair? Do you have miniaturization in the hair, suggesting balding? Without being able to examine you, I can not give you a diagnosis. I would recommend you follow up with your doctor in order to properly diagnose your problem.

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February 7, 2008

If I’m Diagnosed with MPB, Can It Later Turn Into DUPA? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dear Dr. Rassman
I was curious if one is diagnose with MPB on the hamilton scale. Is it possible for that person to later develop DUPA in the future randomly. Or once you have MPB that the route you will go according to the hamilton scale. Hope that makes sense. thank you (great blog site by the way)

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That is a great question. To give you a specific response, I’d need to know if you had miniaturization study done (and the results of this). For a more general answer, although male pattern baldness (MPB) and diffuse unpatterned alopecia (DUPA) are both classified as androgenic alopecia, it is unlikely that you would go from MPB to DUPA — although I suppose anything is possible. DUPA is more common in women.

February 7, 2008

Still Confused About a Maturing Hairline… – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Doc,
Exactly what is a maturing hairline.. what age does it start.. and where does it stop. Isn’t there usually general thinning of the scalp with a maturing hairline as men age without going bald? I see a lot of guys in the office around 50, who still have hair but certainly not the hair I remember them having 10 years ago. I’m assuming they’ll have much less at 60.

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A maturing hairline can start from the teenage years to the late twenties. General male pattern hair loss can start as early as puberty or as late as in the 50’s, but these are not firm rules. The men you see at your office probably have male pattern hair loss or you’re just remembering wrong (10 years is a long time!). Just getting older will not produce hair loss, just as our former president Ronald Reagan demonstrated.

Please see Maturation of a Hairline — Moving From Juvenile to Mature for more.