Posts Tagged: Telogen Effluvium

Can Hair Loss be Treated by Taking Vitamin Supplements?

May 11th, 2009

Q: I have pretty significant hair loss. Should I take vitamins to help grow my hair back?

A: Although vitamin deficiencies are known to cause hair loss, there is little scientific evidence that shows that vitamin supplementation, in an otherwise healthy individual eating a well balanced diet, can prevent hair loss or improve the quality of one’s existing hair.

In addition, taking too many vitamins can actually contribute to hair loss. Excess Vitamin A can cause hair shedding in a reversible process referred to as telogen effluvium.

Accutane, a medication used for cystic acne, is a derivative of vitamin A and can cause hair loss that may be permanent.

Topic: Vitamins, Herbs, Supplements

Tags: / / / / / /

Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D. at 1:00 pm

Can Stress Cause Diffuse Unpatterned Hair Loss (DUPA)?

October 30th, 2007

Q: Can stress produce diffuse unpatterned hair loss (DUPA), or was it bound to happen anyway?

A: Both DPA (diffuse patterned hair loss) and DUPA (diffuse unpatterned hair loss) are genetic conditions, unrelated to stress and would have happened anyway. These types of hair loss are characterized by a high percentage of mininiaturized hair in broad areas of the scalp. See the Classification of Hair Loss in Men and Classification of Hair Loss in Women pages on the Bernstein Medical – Center for Hair Restoration website for more information on this topic.

In contrast, stress generally presents as increased hair shedding, a reversible condition referred to as telogen effluvium. It is called this because the normal growing hair is shifted to a resting (telogen) phase before it temporarily falls out. Increased miniaturization is not associated with telogen effluvium.

Topic: Causes of Hair Loss

Tags: / / / / / / / /

Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D. at 8:24 am

Can Avodart Hair Loss Medication Cause Shedding?

April 30th, 2007

Q: I’m male, early thirties and in the early stages of hair loss, too early for hair transplants. I am experiencing extreme shedding. I took Avodart for 6 weeks, but because of the shedding I stopped. Now, it still continues as strong as ever. I’ve been losing about 200 hairs every day in the shower. 3 months ago I had so much more hair, what is going on? I heard that shedding can happen, but not like this. Could this have caused telogen effluvium, or something else?

A: Since Avodart (dutasteride) is a more potent medication than Propecia (finasteride), the shedding (telogen effluvium) may be more dramatic. If you have made a decision to use Avodart, then you need to tolerate this short-term effect. It should subside within the first 6 months on the drug.

Topic: Drugs & Medications

Tags: / / / / / / / /

Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D. at 3:19 am

Can Hair Loss be Caused by Pregnancy, Prozac, or Hyperactive Thyroid?

December 1st, 2006

Q: I had a baby 12 weeks ago and have recently been diagnosed with a hyperactive thyroid, although only slightly. I was also taking Prozac for 7-10 days. I am 27 and have been experiencing a significant amount of hair loss from all over my scalp. What are the chances that this would be permanent?

A: Based upon your history, you have three possible reasons for having a type of hair loss called telogen effluvium; thyroid disease, medication induced (Prozac) and pregnancy.

Telogen effluvium is diagnosed by a hair pull test and observing club hairs under the microscope. It is generally a reversible condition, regardless of the cause. Telogen effluvium most often occurs 2-3 months after the inducing event, so your pregnancy is the most likely cause.

Prozac would less likely be the problem since you have only been on it for a short time. Besides causing Telogen effluvium, thyroid disease can also alter your hair characteristics, which can make your hair appear thinner.

Other causes of hair loss, such as genetic female pattern hair alopecia, must be ruled out.

Please see Hair Loss in Women page on the Bernstein Medical – Center for Hair Restoration website for more information.

Topic: Women

Tags: / / / / / / / / / / / /

Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D. at 8:02 am

Can Hair Transplant Treat Chronic Telogen Effluvium?

October 2nd, 2006

Q: I am a 36 year old female who has been diagnosed with Chronic Telogen Effluvium. Although I do not have any bald spots yet my hair is much thinner on both of my temples as well as in the back of my head. Is a hair transplant an option for me or am I just going to shed the new hair as I am shedding my current hair?

A: Since Chronic Telogen Effluvium is a generalized condition, it is not amenable to correction by a hair transplant. The reason is that there is no stable area to take donor hair from.

Chronic TE is generally self-limited, so try to be patient.

Topic: Hair Loss

Tags: / / / /

Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D. at 10:17 am



Pages: 1 2 Next»


© 2009 Bernstein Medical, P.C. All Rights Reserved.