Hi all
I've got a dermatology appointment monday for hair loss and I just wanted to know what to expect?
What kind of tests should they be doing to determine what's causing my hair loss and what should I be asking them?
I've waited over a year for this appointment and I dont want to get fobbed of!
Many thanks
Ann
Previous test results 2 months ago
Serum ferritin 51 (15.0 - 204.0)
Serum Iron 13.4 (9.0 0- 30.4)
Serum transferrin level 2.8 (1.8 -3.82)
TIBC 63.3 (45.0 - 72.0)
Percentage iron saturation 21.2%Serum alkaline phosphatase level 134 (30 - 130.0) - not sure what this is but its high
Red blood cell count 3.74 (3.9-5.1)
Haematocrit 0.328 (0.35-0.47)
Mean cell haemoglobin level 30.7 (27.0 - 30.0) not sure what this is either but its out of range.
mean cell haemoglobin concentration 351 (317-340)
TSH 4.2 (0.4-4.9)
Vitamin D 96.6 (should be greater than 50)
Serum B12 269 (187 - 883)
Serum folate 4.0 (3.1-20.5)
Serum Cholesterol 6.3 (should be less than 5)
What vitamin supplements are you currently taking
Hairloss frequently linked to low ferritin and iron
B12 and folate also far too low
Getting vitamins optimal essential
You’re still not on levothyroxine yet?
Thanks but was looking for specifically what to expect at a dermatology appointment and what tests they might do. Not on any meds.
Dont want to be fobbed of by the dermatologist and just get told to use a shampoo
Annieza, are you taking any thyroid medication? I see you TSH is 4.2, within the range, but a sign that you thyroid isn't working well. Ideally you should test TSH, T4 and T3 and also thyroid antibodies to get a better picture what is happening.
Thanks crumple, not on any meds still.My endo has done the above tests but not sure what to expect from my dermatology appointment, dont want to be fobbed of with a shampoo. I want them to do a biopsy so they can tell me exactly what type of hair loss it is ...
Hi Annieza
With just what I’ve gleaned from the above chat you are hypothyroid. TSH in range is not a reliable indicator that you are ok and 4.2 is high in range anyway.
Your most important results are Free T3 Free T4 and antibodies.
The Most important diagnostic aide are symptoms. There is a reason people are referring back to your results 😊
Hair loss, constipation, feeling cold, tiredness foggy brain, heartburn, weight gain, aching joints, SLOW heart rate etc are all symptoms of hypothyroidism. NHS lists some of these, but other sources online are more expansive and catch the symptoms the NHS neglect to acknowledge. You don’t have to have every single symptom, but if you have a clutch if them with those results, why is your endo not doing anything? Are they a diabetes specialist by any chance?
The discussion with your dermatologist should not be separate from your background as it is highly likely your undiagnosed, untreated hypothyroidism is the problem or a contributing factor.
I was under medicated after diagnosis and thought my parting was ‘getting wider’ - I pushed away my fears thinking I was being paranoid. I have been adequately medicated for a year. I now have a ‘plague’ of hair on top of my head about a years worth of growth (which I am extremely grateful for).
I read the lived experience on here and then a book. Eventually, I worked up to the occasional scientific paper.
You need to be able to advocate for yourself and you can’t rely on the medical profession alone. Reading other’s lived experience on here will give you plenty of motivation to do this (it certainly did me 😱).
Its hard to say what your dermatologist will do for your hair loss….. since you have waited a year for this derm appointment I wouldn’t leave unless Im satisfied with the treatment or explanation but thyroid and iron issues are 2 known hair destroyers.
I hope you make another post letting us know how the appointment went.
Thyroid Blood Test Results
Hair dye and hypothyroidism
Why is nothing ever easy?!
Levothyroxine or synthroid
