Chronic Telogen Effluvium

Hi,

I am a 58 year old female who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease 7 years ago. Two years ago I noticed my hair becoming thinner. I went to my doctor to check my thyroid, and everything okay. Had my iron levels checked and that was okay.

Asked my neurologist if it was the Parkinson's meds and she said no, she has had no other patients complain about hair loss. About 1 year ago I went to a dermatologist and he said probably stress and handed me a bottle of shampoo and told me to come back in 3 months.

Then noticed my hairline receding quite a bit so I had hair restoration done on my receding hairline with great results. That was November 2009 (9 months ago). Then I noticed my hair still thinning in the back and found a good female dermatologist who specializes in women's hair loss. She is the one who diagnosed me with chronic TE and said I should never have had hair restoration done.

Why didn’t the first dermatologist tell me this? Maybe I wouldn’t have had the restoration done. The area where I had restoration done is great, it is coming in quite long now but it is the back of my head that keeps thinning out. When will the hair stop? I went to a naturopath who has me on biotin, vitamin b complex, vitamin D, omega 3 fish oil and multi-vitamins. I noticed when I come out of the shower I see lots of new hair popping up. Will I ever stop shedding? The second dermatologist told me it was probably stress related.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Editor’s Comments,

Hi there. In medical decisions, not everyone shares the same opinions. Even doctors of the same field and profession can have different recommendations and that does not mean either is wrong or right.

Hair restoration is indeed a feasible option for female hair loss sufferers especially females that are or about to enter menopause. Fluctuations in your hormones might be a leading cause of diffusing hair loss and that can be the main factor your other dermatologist decides on your hair restoration.

Still your current derm is not wrong either. Many women with chronic Telogen Effluvium do not require hair restoration. Sometimes, proper nutrition and supplements can help with recovery. Yet, hair restoration is a much faster and efficient alternative that can ascertain an instant rectification of your hair condition.

That is why in my opinion, both ways are also right. It’s just probably that you should be better informed of your condition and options and that might make a difference in your decisions. That is why sometimes choosing a right doctor is also critical!

Changes in your body are primary causes of stress, emotionally and physically. Parkinson is a chronic disease and can indirect affect your general well being. Also, drugs that are used for treating Parkinson like Levapoda can be tasking on your body and even if drugs don’t cause hair loss directly, the other side effects or pressure they apply to your body might contribute to a weaker hair line. So it’s really hard to know exactly what is the real underlying cause.

Keeping a healthy diet, good control of your disease and other countermeasures are a good way to help keep your hair strong. It’s good that your noticed new hair growing out after the showers, as it could indicate your hair condition is indeed improving.

Check out hair loss in women for more info on and treatment suggestions.