doria444
06-11-2008, 11:15 PM
how can my dermatologist find out if my hair loss is stress or age
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Stoler99
06-14-2008, 09:09 PM
I'v had hairloss due to stress and being bipolar.
Believe me it sucks. I know how how emotionally it can eat you alive.
Your derm might give you a stress test.
Believe me it sucks. I know how how emotionally it can eat you alive.
Your derm might give you a stress test.
Audrey-B
06-15-2008, 05:26 AM
I'm not sure what dermatologists do in general. I went to one a few years ago and she looks at my scalp through a big, magnified mirror, pulled at some of my hair to see if it would come out, said i had good hair folicles and it should grow back and that it was "likely" stress.
Basically a waste of money and she was extremely vague!! :(
Only later did i find out that not ALL dermatologists are trained to deal with hair loss. I would advise finding out whether the one you are going to visit has specific training in this field, otherwise it will be a waste of money.
For males it's generally genetic or hormonal eg: testosterone. Can be other issues, but they seem to be the most common.
For females it can also be genetic and hormonal. An excess of testosterone will cause loss of hair and/or male pattern hair growth. A lot more women rather than males will suffer with thyroid conditions, hormonal imbalance, low iron levels which all can cause hair loss. Malabsorbtion of vitamins/minerals due to digestion problems and gluten intolerance will also cause hair loss. Women pre/during/post menopause will end up with either hair loss or more dryer/brittle hair due to loss os estrogen.
I'm sure there are other factors which affect both males and females, but i'm most familiar with what ended up being my problem and that is low iron, thyroid condition, hormonal imabalance due to my thyroid condition, unable to digest protein sufficiently due to poor pancreatic enzymes in my system.
Stress can play a big part, but it's more often other issues or issues which you ending up getting due to long term stress.
Basically a waste of money and she was extremely vague!! :(
Only later did i find out that not ALL dermatologists are trained to deal with hair loss. I would advise finding out whether the one you are going to visit has specific training in this field, otherwise it will be a waste of money.
For males it's generally genetic or hormonal eg: testosterone. Can be other issues, but they seem to be the most common.
For females it can also be genetic and hormonal. An excess of testosterone will cause loss of hair and/or male pattern hair growth. A lot more women rather than males will suffer with thyroid conditions, hormonal imbalance, low iron levels which all can cause hair loss. Malabsorbtion of vitamins/minerals due to digestion problems and gluten intolerance will also cause hair loss. Women pre/during/post menopause will end up with either hair loss or more dryer/brittle hair due to loss os estrogen.
I'm sure there are other factors which affect both males and females, but i'm most familiar with what ended up being my problem and that is low iron, thyroid condition, hormonal imabalance due to my thyroid condition, unable to digest protein sufficiently due to poor pancreatic enzymes in my system.
Stress can play a big part, but it's more often other issues or issues which you ending up getting due to long term stress.
doria444
06-16-2008, 11:15 AM
stoler99
thanks so much for taking the time-i've wasted so much time and money. I will redirect my energies to seeing someone who will take a little time with my history. God Bless and good luck to you.
thanks so much for taking the time-i've wasted so much time and money. I will redirect my energies to seeing someone who will take a little time with my history. God Bless and good luck to you.
doria444
06-17-2008, 09:16 AM
Audry B
Thanks so much-I needed direction and spoke with so many people, including doctors, derms, etc. Most are lacking compassion-some actually pushed products for complexion care, even tho I was clearly upset about my hair. I made appt. with gyn., and now have some specific things to look for. God Bless You.
Thanks so much-I needed direction and spoke with so many people, including doctors, derms, etc. Most are lacking compassion-some actually pushed products for complexion care, even tho I was clearly upset about my hair. I made appt. with gyn., and now have some specific things to look for. God Bless You.
Audrey-B
06-18-2008, 07:05 PM
Doria - i know exactly how it is as i went through the same thing for 7 years before i finally found a doctor who was willing to work through things with me.
The problem is that abnormal hair shedding can be due to any number of things and finding out what your 'thing' is is the problem.
The one thing for certain is that once you begin experiencing abnormal amounts of hair shedding, and over a long period of time particularly, that is an indication that something within your body is not right. It's the same as skin problems, it's usually an internal factor that is the cause. Very rarely can hair or skin issues be treated by a simple topical treatment. Some years ago, one of my doctors actually wanted me to use Rogaine for my hair loss. My chemist just laughed, saying my doctor didn't know what he was on about and told me to go and find the true cause of my hair shedding.
It can be a lengthy process, but don't give up. Compile a list of as many known causes of hair shedding and start striking things of your list one by one. Fine out ALL the various types of doctors who deal with "hair loss". Not sure whether i mentioned in my previous post that i ended up seeing a Trichologist (hair/scalp doctor) who helped me part of the way and who diagnosed my Hashimoto's thyroid and then referred me on to another great doctor.
All the best and hope to hear good news from you :)
The problem is that abnormal hair shedding can be due to any number of things and finding out what your 'thing' is is the problem.
The one thing for certain is that once you begin experiencing abnormal amounts of hair shedding, and over a long period of time particularly, that is an indication that something within your body is not right. It's the same as skin problems, it's usually an internal factor that is the cause. Very rarely can hair or skin issues be treated by a simple topical treatment. Some years ago, one of my doctors actually wanted me to use Rogaine for my hair loss. My chemist just laughed, saying my doctor didn't know what he was on about and told me to go and find the true cause of my hair shedding.
It can be a lengthy process, but don't give up. Compile a list of as many known causes of hair shedding and start striking things of your list one by one. Fine out ALL the various types of doctors who deal with "hair loss". Not sure whether i mentioned in my previous post that i ended up seeing a Trichologist (hair/scalp doctor) who helped me part of the way and who diagnosed my Hashimoto's thyroid and then referred me on to another great doctor.
All the best and hope to hear good news from you :)