Here are the results from the blood tests that I promised I'd share with you:
TSH - Normal
CBC - Normal
Testosterone - Normal
ANA - Normal
DHEA - Normal
Iron - Slightly low (That's normal for me and the doctors have known about it for a long time now.)
TIDC - Normal
Ferritin - Slightly low (This goes along with my Iron and the doctors have known about this as well. So, my Iron and Ferritin levels aren't a surprise to them at all.)
My Primary Care Physician decided that since all of my hormones were normal that she would pass me on to a Dermatologist and that if the Dermatologist didn't know what it was that she would refer me to an Endocronologist. Let's still have our fingers crossed that the Dermatologist will know that way I can get it over with and HOPEFULLY get my hair back!
My appointment is September 10th at 8:50am. I asked them for the earliest appointment available so hopefully there will be less people at the Office that will see me like this, you know?
I FINALLY found a Dermatologist that takes the kind of Insurance that I have and she's only 15 minutes away! I'm thrilled that I finally found someone!
The name of the Office is called, "Derm One".
She's a Nurse Practioner and I asked my PCP if she was good and she talked very highly of her so I have high hopes that she will know what's happening with me.
My doctor's office has already sent over the results of the blood work, thankfully! That's less for me to worry about! Ha-Ha!
All I have to do is be there 15 or 20 minutes before my appointment so I can fill out paperwork and all that annoying but necessary stuff!
I really don't know what to expect as far as what tests the Dermatologist will do, if any. As many tests as my PCP ran I'm really not sure what else could be done as far as blood work goes.
I hope that she'll be able to give me an idea of what's going on and I definately hope my hair loss isn't permanent!
I'm trying to think HAPPY thoughts but it gets hard at times.
My partner, Krissy, has been a huge help! She's coming with me to my appointment and bringing a notebook so she can write down what the Dermatologist says.
Krissy even said if it was necessary that I had to shave my head that she would shave hers as well! I couldn't believe it when she said that! I thought she was joking but I was quickly proven wrong because she had her serious face on!
At least I know that no matter what happens she'll be by my side. Let's just hope that my head won't have to be shaved and that I won't be forced to shave my head due to my hair not growing back.
But, no more negative thinking because I just might cry ... Again! Ha!
When I get back from my appointment with the Dermatologist, I'll post what went on and next time you see a post from me hopefully I'll know what's causing it and what I can or cannot do about it! :-)
PS. I'm glad that I'm seeing a female Dermatologist instead of the male doctor that works with her at the office.
In my opinion, females have more compassion and MUCH more understanding when it comes to female hair loss!
I hope you are doing well and in good health!
Email me on hotmail anytime! If my address isn't posted on my profile let me know and I'll give it to you IF you'd like. :-)
Thank you once again for your compassion and understanding!
TSH - Normal
CBC - Normal
Testosterone - Normal
ANA - Normal
DHEA - Normal
Iron - Slightly low (That's normal for me and the doctors have known about it for a long time now.)
TIDC - Normal
Ferritin - Slightly low (This goes along with my Iron and the doctors have known about this as well. So, my Iron and Ferritin levels aren't a surprise to them at all.)
My Primary Care Physician decided that since all of my hormones were normal that she would pass me on to a Dermatologist and that if the Dermatologist didn't know what it was that she would refer me to an Endocronologist. Let's still have our fingers crossed that the Dermatologist will know that way I can get it over with and HOPEFULLY get my hair back!
My appointment is September 10th at 8:50am. I asked them for the earliest appointment available so hopefully there will be less people at the Office that will see me like this, you know?
I FINALLY found a Dermatologist that takes the kind of Insurance that I have and she's only 15 minutes away! I'm thrilled that I finally found someone!
The name of the Office is called, "Derm One".
She's a Nurse Practioner and I asked my PCP if she was good and she talked very highly of her so I have high hopes that she will know what's happening with me.
My doctor's office has already sent over the results of the blood work, thankfully! That's less for me to worry about! Ha-Ha!
All I have to do is be there 15 or 20 minutes before my appointment so I can fill out paperwork and all that annoying but necessary stuff!
I really don't know what to expect as far as what tests the Dermatologist will do, if any. As many tests as my PCP ran I'm really not sure what else could be done as far as blood work goes.
I hope that she'll be able to give me an idea of what's going on and I definately hope my hair loss isn't permanent!
I'm trying to think HAPPY thoughts but it gets hard at times.
My partner, Krissy, has been a huge help! She's coming with me to my appointment and bringing a notebook so she can write down what the Dermatologist says.
Krissy even said if it was necessary that I had to shave my head that she would shave hers as well! I couldn't believe it when she said that! I thought she was joking but I was quickly proven wrong because she had her serious face on!
At least I know that no matter what happens she'll be by my side. Let's just hope that my head won't have to be shaved and that I won't be forced to shave my head due to my hair not growing back.
But, no more negative thinking because I just might cry ... Again! Ha!
When I get back from my appointment with the Dermatologist, I'll post what went on and next time you see a post from me hopefully I'll know what's causing it and what I can or cannot do about it! :-)
PS. I'm glad that I'm seeing a female Dermatologist instead of the male doctor that works with her at the office.
In my opinion, females have more compassion and MUCH more understanding when it comes to female hair loss!
I hope you are doing well and in good health!
Email me on hotmail anytime! If my address isn't posted on my profile let me know and I'll give it to you IF you'd like. :-)
Thank you once again for your compassion and understanding!
Well the good thing it is nothing hormonal or thyroid - which means you don't need any medications for this! MANY things can cause hair loss - stress, poor nutrition, illness, infection etc. So hopefully this Dermatologist can help you out! DONT shave you head OK? As sometimes if you are having skin issues, it might make it harder for this to return! I'm sure she will give you something topical - like a cream or an oil! I know you will let me know! So good luck honey!
Here's what they did at the Dermatologists Office yesterday:
They put a needle in my scalp to numb it so they could take about 4 samples to see if it was auto-immune disease or not. (Biopsy of the scalp) whatever you want to call it. Ha-Ha!
They said it COULD be Alopecia and if it is they would give me Steroid injections in my scalp to help the hair grow back, hopefully. She said it didn't sound like Alopecia though.
She gave me drops that I'm suppost to put on my head at least twice a day and I'm suppose to clean the stitches with a prescription that she gave to me.
I go to get the stitches removed on the 24th of this month and my results should be back within 7-10 days.
I'll post again then.
I hope you're doing well and best wishes to you! :-)
They put a needle in my scalp to numb it so they could take about 4 samples to see if it was auto-immune disease or not. (Biopsy of the scalp) whatever you want to call it. Ha-Ha!
They said it COULD be Alopecia and if it is they would give me Steroid injections in my scalp to help the hair grow back, hopefully. She said it didn't sound like Alopecia though.
She gave me drops that I'm suppost to put on my head at least twice a day and I'm suppose to clean the stitches with a prescription that she gave to me.
I go to get the stitches removed on the 24th of this month and my results should be back within 7-10 days.
I'll post again then.
I hope you're doing well and best wishes to you! :-)
Yeah it's not Alopecia! I have known several people with that, and it's patchy and all over! Not just one spot! If it's immune, then you need to try and increase your immune resistancy! There are several great herbal medications that can boost your immune system! So good luck honey, fingers crossed!
Thanks, I need it! LOL
When they get the results of the biopsy back I'll most definitly let you know.
Until then though I will be overly nervous and anxious... Ugh...
Thanks once again for your support ! :-)
When they get the results of the biopsy back I'll most definitly let you know.
Until then though I will be overly nervous and anxious... Ugh...
Thanks once again for your support ! :-)
Well Bambi, it seems that we were both wrong.
I called my Dermatologists' Office today to see if they had gotten the results yet and they did.
I was then put on hold to talk with a nurse about my results and she said that the biopsy came back as Alopecia.
I asked her what branch of Alopecia it was and TONS of other questions as well and she said that she couldn't discuss that or answer my questions and that I would have to wait until my appointment on the 24th of this month.
I have SO many questions about this! I really do!
What I would REALLY like to know is what branch of Alopecia it is .. Whether it's Alopecia Areata or Alopecia Areata Universalis, etc.
Since they aren't really allowed to tell me any more than what they did over the phone, I suppose I'll have to wait until my appointment on the 24th.
I just do not understand how it could possibly be Alopecia! I don't have the scaly scalp, the itching, burning, etc. I don't have ANY of those symptoms .... I'm a bit confused I guess you could say.
I'm going to make a list of questions that I will be asking the Dermatologist ... and believe me, it's a LONG list! Ha-Ha!
What do you think about this diagnosis?
I'm not too sure I believe that it's Alopecia but then again I'm no Dermatologist nor could I "study" the biopsy under a microscope and know what the heck I'm looking at.
But, still yet I DO have doubts about it being Alopecia because I have none of the symptoms, you know what I mean?
Either way though I'm still a bit upset that I have an Autoimmune Disease, which is what Alopecia is regardless of what branch the person has it's still an Autoimmune Disease ... I'm sure you already knew that though, you seem very smart!
I really do appreciate you being so nice and helping me so much ... I'm sorry if I'm seeming like I'm rambling in this post ... I'm just a bit upset ...
Should I be this upset? I don't know ...
I hope all is well your way and I wish you only the BEST of health and happiness in every way!
Feel free to tell me what you think about what I've said because I'm lost ...
I called my Dermatologists' Office today to see if they had gotten the results yet and they did.
I was then put on hold to talk with a nurse about my results and she said that the biopsy came back as Alopecia.
I asked her what branch of Alopecia it was and TONS of other questions as well and she said that she couldn't discuss that or answer my questions and that I would have to wait until my appointment on the 24th of this month.
I have SO many questions about this! I really do!
What I would REALLY like to know is what branch of Alopecia it is .. Whether it's Alopecia Areata or Alopecia Areata Universalis, etc.
Since they aren't really allowed to tell me any more than what they did over the phone, I suppose I'll have to wait until my appointment on the 24th.
I just do not understand how it could possibly be Alopecia! I don't have the scaly scalp, the itching, burning, etc. I don't have ANY of those symptoms .... I'm a bit confused I guess you could say.
I'm going to make a list of questions that I will be asking the Dermatologist ... and believe me, it's a LONG list! Ha-Ha!
What do you think about this diagnosis?
I'm not too sure I believe that it's Alopecia but then again I'm no Dermatologist nor could I "study" the biopsy under a microscope and know what the heck I'm looking at.
But, still yet I DO have doubts about it being Alopecia because I have none of the symptoms, you know what I mean?
Either way though I'm still a bit upset that I have an Autoimmune Disease, which is what Alopecia is regardless of what branch the person has it's still an Autoimmune Disease ... I'm sure you already knew that though, you seem very smart!
I really do appreciate you being so nice and helping me so much ... I'm sorry if I'm seeming like I'm rambling in this post ... I'm just a bit upset ...
Should I be this upset? I don't know ...
I hope all is well your way and I wish you only the BEST of health and happiness in every way!
Feel free to tell me what you think about what I've said because I'm lost ...
Hi honey! I too am confused! I have known 4 people with Alopecia!!! And NONE of them were like you! The 24th isn't too far away, which isa good thing, and yes definitely write down everything you need to ask! Also ask the doctor about getting some immune booster medications such as Acyclovir - which is more for infections, but really helps ward off anything viral! I'm not a big believer in Steroids as they can have really harsh side effects, when you are writing down your answers, also write down your concerns and worries and have gthe doctgor address them too OK?
Alopecia areata monolocularis describes baldness in only one spot. It may occur anywhere on the head - this is from Wikipedia, it also says that 90% of the hair will grow back within 1 year!!!! So that is great news, I truly think that when we are stressed it causes more things to happen, such as you being stressed about loosing your hair, aggravates this Alopecia problem and so on and so on! So if you learn ways to relax and take it easy and meditate, I think whatever treatment they give you will be enhanced! This is my personal opinion of course, but I do believe in it!
Please let me know what happens on the 24th, I will keep my fingers and toes crossed for you honey! Look at ALL the positive information out there OK? Don'r read too much about the negative - because you WILL believe it!
Alopecia areata monolocularis describes baldness in only one spot. It may occur anywhere on the head - this is from Wikipedia, it also says that 90% of the hair will grow back within 1 year!!!! So that is great news, I truly think that when we are stressed it causes more things to happen, such as you being stressed about loosing your hair, aggravates this Alopecia problem and so on and so on! So if you learn ways to relax and take it easy and meditate, I think whatever treatment they give you will be enhanced! This is my personal opinion of course, but I do believe in it!
Please let me know what happens on the 24th, I will keep my fingers and toes crossed for you honey! Look at ALL the positive information out there OK? Don'r read too much about the negative - because you WILL believe it!
When you said that stress will irritate what I have, I couldn't agree with you more! I actually might look into the whole meditation thing. That's a good idea and will be a positive and new experience for me.
Thank you for that idea! :-)
I will surely keep you posted on what will happen on the 24th!
And, thanks again SO much for being such a huge support - That truly means a lot to me!
Sending Best Wishes and Best Health Your Way!!!
Thank you for that idea! :-)
I will surely keep you posted on what will happen on the 24th!
And, thanks again SO much for being such a huge support - That truly means a lot to me!
Sending Best Wishes and Best Health Your Way!!!
Bambi,
As you know I had my appointment with the Dermatologist on the 24th.
She decided WITHOUT my permission to inject 35cc's (I have NO clue what that would be in miligrams but I would like to know) of steroids into my scalp SEVEN times! I cannot tell you in words how much it hurt during and after .. It STILL hurts.
Anyway, after that I had to go to my pharmacy to get an antibiotic filled that she gave to me and as we were waiting in the parking lot I puked about 3 times (sorry .. not trying to make anyone sick) and it gave me the worst headache I've EVER had in my life and it made my stomache feel awful! I was like this for the rest of the day and my appointment was at 8:50am!
If I decide to continue with the Steroid treatments, which is HIGHLY unlikely, I'll have to go every single month.
She didn't even talk to me about my other options or anything! I couldn't believe it! She's very unfriendly and has a very uncomforting bed side manner!
(Even with that treatment my hair would grow back to a certain point then fall right back out and I think that would make it SO much worse on me- Kind of like a false hope, you know?)
She sat up another appointment on the 22nd of October at 1pm to give me more injections. Little does she know that that WON'T be happening and I will tell her EXACTLY why!
I refuse to set myself up to be let down all over again by seeing my hair constantly grow ...Then fall out again ... So on and so forth.
Emotionally, I cannot handle seeing my hair grow and then it go away just as quickly. I'm BARELY handling it now.
The ENTIRE time of my appointment was TEN minutes!
She told me that the next time I came in, which was this past appointment, that we would DISCUSS my options and she hardly said one word to me about anything at all.
I thought she was just going to look at my head not stick a huge ass needle in it! Ha-Ha! Pardon my language by the way.
But anyway, she told me absolutely nothing.
My Grandparents are being so supportive and kind. They said that they were going to buy me a wig and everything. I told them not to but they said it didn't matter what I said .. They want to do it and they said they WILL do it. I thought it was very sweet of them.
I'm sorry there isn't much information to tell you. If you have any Q's please feel free to ask them, it doesn't matter what they are.
Also, if you know of ANY websites that I can go on to get free wig catalogs please let me know. (Just not the Paula Young Catalog becaseu I already have that one)
All the sites that I've came across are geared more towards older people and I'm just 21 and would like to have a younger style.
How are you doing? If you'd ever like to keep in touch feel frere to ask me for my email address. That's ONLY if YOU would like to keep in touch. :-)
As you know I had my appointment with the Dermatologist on the 24th.
She decided WITHOUT my permission to inject 35cc's (I have NO clue what that would be in miligrams but I would like to know) of steroids into my scalp SEVEN times! I cannot tell you in words how much it hurt during and after .. It STILL hurts.
Anyway, after that I had to go to my pharmacy to get an antibiotic filled that she gave to me and as we were waiting in the parking lot I puked about 3 times (sorry .. not trying to make anyone sick) and it gave me the worst headache I've EVER had in my life and it made my stomache feel awful! I was like this for the rest of the day and my appointment was at 8:50am!
If I decide to continue with the Steroid treatments, which is HIGHLY unlikely, I'll have to go every single month.
She didn't even talk to me about my other options or anything! I couldn't believe it! She's very unfriendly and has a very uncomforting bed side manner!
(Even with that treatment my hair would grow back to a certain point then fall right back out and I think that would make it SO much worse on me- Kind of like a false hope, you know?)
She sat up another appointment on the 22nd of October at 1pm to give me more injections. Little does she know that that WON'T be happening and I will tell her EXACTLY why!
I refuse to set myself up to be let down all over again by seeing my hair constantly grow ...Then fall out again ... So on and so forth.
Emotionally, I cannot handle seeing my hair grow and then it go away just as quickly. I'm BARELY handling it now.
The ENTIRE time of my appointment was TEN minutes!
She told me that the next time I came in, which was this past appointment, that we would DISCUSS my options and she hardly said one word to me about anything at all.
I thought she was just going to look at my head not stick a huge ass needle in it! Ha-Ha! Pardon my language by the way.
But anyway, she told me absolutely nothing.
My Grandparents are being so supportive and kind. They said that they were going to buy me a wig and everything. I told them not to but they said it didn't matter what I said .. They want to do it and they said they WILL do it. I thought it was very sweet of them.
I'm sorry there isn't much information to tell you. If you have any Q's please feel free to ask them, it doesn't matter what they are.
Also, if you know of ANY websites that I can go on to get free wig catalogs please let me know. (Just not the Paula Young Catalog becaseu I already have that one)
All the sites that I've came across are geared more towards older people and I'm just 21 and would like to have a younger style.
How are you doing? If you'd ever like to keep in touch feel frere to ask me for my email address. That's ONLY if YOU would like to keep in touch. :-)
Honey! Big hug to you!!! I am TOTALLY behind you in your feelings regarding stopping treatment with this cold hearted you know what! This is YOUR body and you deserve and need answers. Find another one, look up doctors in your area and meet with them before becoming their patient! YOU HAVE to stand up to these "doctors" and demand better! I just found this EXCELLENT site for you, it's not advertising anything - FINALLY!!! And it has SO much information. I also think about going the natural way!! Just know too honey that some wigs can actually suffocate your head and inhibit the hair folicle - same as a construction worker wearing a hard hat all the time!
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20030301/1007.html
It is what every you are comfortable with honey, IF you are fine without any further treatment then so be it! Go get a wig that ROCKS!!! XD If not then you need to research other doctors! I am a bit confused as why you would throw up, when she injected your head that is just under the skin - there isn't a great source of blood there! So I wonder if it was the pain and the stress of everything that happened!? So ask for a 2nd or 3rd or 30th opinion if need be till you get what you need - ANSWERS!!!!!!
Good luck and love honey! I can't talk personally to you, as we are Supporters/Counsellors and have to keep it on here! But I'm usually on here! I too MIGHT loose my hair I was told this week - doctors mentioned giving me chemotherapy!!!!! - So i TOTALLY get your upset about your hair! Health and happiness to both of us!!! :-)
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20030301/1007.html
It is what every you are comfortable with honey, IF you are fine without any further treatment then so be it! Go get a wig that ROCKS!!! XD If not then you need to research other doctors! I am a bit confused as why you would throw up, when she injected your head that is just under the skin - there isn't a great source of blood there! So I wonder if it was the pain and the stress of everything that happened!? So ask for a 2nd or 3rd or 30th opinion if need be till you get what you need - ANSWERS!!!!!!
Good luck and love honey! I can't talk personally to you, as we are Supporters/Counsellors and have to keep it on here! But I'm usually on here! I too MIGHT loose my hair I was told this week - doctors mentioned giving me chemotherapy!!!!! - So i TOTALLY get your upset about your hair! Health and happiness to both of us!!! :-)
I'm very sorry to hear about what might happen to your hair as well. Just know that I'll be here for you til the end IF that's what YOU decide and want.
I appreciate you supporting my decision and understanding my anger!
The reason that I got sick was because of the stress I've been under lately, you're very correct on that one!
Thank you for the site, I will definitly be checking that site out!
My Grandparents were talking to me and they said that they wanted to buy me a wig within the next couple of weeks. I told them they didn't have to do that and they told me that that's the least they can do for me due to what I'm going through. I thought that was so sweet and generous and I let them know that too! :O)
Well, thank you SOOOOOO much for being here for me, you're a wonderful support system!
Yes, BEST of health to the BOTH of us! :-)
Best Wishes To You!
Ps. Once again, thank you SO much!
I appreciate you supporting my decision and understanding my anger!
The reason that I got sick was because of the stress I've been under lately, you're very correct on that one!
Thank you for the site, I will definitly be checking that site out!
My Grandparents were talking to me and they said that they wanted to buy me a wig within the next couple of weeks. I told them they didn't have to do that and they told me that that's the least they can do for me due to what I'm going through. I thought that was so sweet and generous and I let them know that too! :O)
Well, thank you SOOOOOO much for being here for me, you're a wonderful support system!
Yes, BEST of health to the BOTH of us! :-)
Best Wishes To You!
Ps. Once again, thank you SO much!
Hello,
After reading these symptoms I realized that I have been experiencing most of them. It seems as though I have less hair around the crown of my head. It seems as though one or two strands comes out everytime I run my fingers through my hair. In addition I have been experiencing the following symptoms:
Coarse, dry hair
Weakness
Fatigue
Muscle cramps and frequent muscle aches
Depression
Irritability
Memory loss (recently had a minor concussion 3 months ago)
Decreased libido
And constipation from time to time.
Is this indicative of hyper thyroidism or something else? Thank you very much, your opinion is greatly appreciated!
What does having these symptoms mean? Because I have all of these except maybe the last one because I don’t know what it means