I went to my GP today to update my immunizations and chatted with her about my hair loss (how concerned I was about it and how i wanted to make sure we've done all the various tests to ensure it's not an underlying medical condition). I knew I have had some tests done, but didn't know which, exactly, and didn't know the results other than that they were "normal".
I had a list of tests I'd made up from various online research:
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Serum ferritin (iron stores)
- TSH, T3 and T4 (thyroid)
- ANA (for lupus)
- STS (for syphilis)
- DHEA-sulfate
- Hormone levels: total and free testosterone, androstenedione, prolactin, follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), leutinizing hormone (LH)
She went through my records and found I had my CBC done (everything was fine), my ferritin was 42 (which is in the "healthy range" but I've read that anything under 100 is considered on the low end of "healthy".) my TSH was 1.84 (>2.0 puts you at risk of hypothyroidism... so I'm "healthy" but pushing it). STS was negative (I should hope so!!!)
In terms of the tests I haven't had yet: She said DHEA is expensive and doesn't necessarily tell you anything, so it wasn't really worth doing unless I really wanted to. She did suggest I get my hormones - especially prolactin, FSH and LH tested.
She's referring me to a Dermatologist in Toronto who specializes in women's hair loss. She suggested I see her and let her perform the blood tests (hormones and otherwise), but that I certainly mention my results from the previous tests and that I haven't had my hormones checked. Absolute worst case, she doesn't check my hormones and I go back to my GP and have her test them. Specialist referrals usually take a while, though, so I don't expect an appointment for a few months.
I'm thinking of switching from Alesse to Yasmin... but I want to check all my hormone levels first and talk it over with my doctor before I decide to do anything that'll change my hormones etc.
In the meantime, I'm also taking a naturopathic treatment of:
1 capsule vitamin e per day
1 capsule fish oil per day
2 capsule acidophilus between meals (4-6 per day)
I'm supposed to try this for 2 months. If I don't find it's making any improvements in that time, I can stop.
I'm also alternating Nizoral shampoo with gentle sulfate-free shampoo. Washing my hair every second evening, spritzing it with a little leave-in conditioner and combing it into a loose bun - letting it air-dry. No more blowdryers or straighteners (not like I used them lots before). My hair actually dries pretty straight, smooth and soft if left in a bun to dry!
I'll keep you updated if I start noticing any results from any of these treatments.
Dee M is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO |
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