23-years-old and apparently balding.

[ThinningHairFML]

My uncle, mom, and grandma (all on the same side) have had issues with thin hair, so I'll put that out there.

I noticed maybe a year ago that I was thinning a bit at the very back of my head. I figured that maybe it's always been like that and I just never noticed, but it seems to have gotten worse.

I also have it near my left sideburn area, and above my right ear. At first I thought maybe it was an awful haircut, but a slight tug, and sure enough, silver-like thin hair came right out without effort (they look miniaturized). It's the same story with the hair on my forehead.

I have a physical next month and plan on asking about my hair. I'm in disbelief because this seems to be getting worse pretty quickly and it's all over my head -- except the top, as far as I can tell. Here are a few pictures...

Temple area: http://oi58.tinypic.com/2ahryo3.jpg
Left side: http://oi57.tinypic.com/s5ic2d.jpg
Back of head: http://oi61.tinypic.com/kapow0.jpg
Back right of head: http://oi62.tinypic.com/k6o1v.jpg

and a few more pics that might be better...

Left side: http://oi62.tinypic.com/rlhwu9.jpg
Right side: http://oi62.tinypic.com/iyctc9.jpg
Crown: http://oi58.tinypic.com/293ajjc.jpg (Looks quite thin but I think it's the lighting because as far as I remember it's always looked like that.)
Back again: http://oi61.tinypic.com/2zpv91y.jpg (The worst part byfar. Becoming unsightly.)

I'm pretty worried because based on pictures it would appear that I have DUPA. However, this seems to be coming on pretty suddenly. I'm having occasional scalp itch where a hair or two comes out when I scratch that area, which is probably not a good sign. I estimate that I've been losing about 200 hairs a day for at least the past week.

After reading so many horror stories about Propecia (impotence, man boobs), I'm thinking about not bothering with that.

Can anybody lend some advice? Thanks. My last question is: is it possible to have hair miniaturization without having hair loss? I'm concerned because I'm losing quite a few short, weak, not-the-color-of-my-hair hairs at the back of my head that's already quite thin...

[Sixers]

Get on propecia and stay on it ASAP. Disregard the internet horror stories that you've encountered. I am a 24 year old male and have been noticeably balding (atleast to me) since I was 23. I got on propecia and felt a little better. As soon as I got off of propecia due to financial issues my hair started thinning out dramatically forcing me to cut it down to a number one, which is not bad considering I'm a black male, I can kind of mask it this way. Still, it sucks knowing I'm not going to have my beautiful wavy low cut thick hair anymore. Unless propecia gives me some regrowth. I've been on for 3 months now.

[ThinningHairFML]

I read Propecia only really works at treating hair on top of the head though near the crown. I haven't lost much (if any) hair up there... just quite a lot at the back of my head, my sideburns, and hairline.

[Sixers]

It's barely noticeable But I understand your concern. Ignoring the obvious hope of growing your lost/thinned hair back, propecia will help sustain the hair that you currently still have. And thats pretty darn good when you have the amount of hair you currently still have.

[ThinningHairFML]

I'll have to think about it.

I already have sliiight gynecomastia (I mean SLIGHT) and I'd rather not get gigantic boobs from taking Propecia. Also hearing it doesn't do anything for hairline, the back of the head, or the sides (where I'm losing the most hair) doesn't make it sound to be particularly worth the risk or money.

[Notcoolanymore]

I'll have to think about it.

I already have sliiight gynecomastia (I mean SLIGHT) and I'd rather not get gigantic boobs from taking Propecia. Also hearing it doesn't do anything for hairline, the back of the head, or the sides (where I'm losing the most hair) doesn't make it sound to be particularly worth the risk or money.

Is your gyno diagnosed or are you just out of shape? Not trying to offend, but it does make a difference. The part of your comment that I bolded is just false. If your hair loss is due to MPB, then Propecia can help.

[ThinningHairFML]

It's not diagnosed but I know gynecomastia has nothing to do with the shape you're in. Gynecomastia is solid breast tissue, not fat, and it can't be lost with exercise. It's noticeable to the touch.

Are there any decent topical DHT blockers out there? I figure they wouldn't work as well as Propecia, but I'd rather use Propecia as a last resort.

[Notcoolanymore]

I have heard about topical finasteride around these forums. There are a few people that use it. Some claim to get good results, but I have yet to see any pics. The only thing I am sure of is if you can get your hands on it, it isn't going to be cheap.

Lastly, I would get your gyno properly diagnosed by a doctor. Especially if that is the main reason you are staying away from propecia. At the end of the day that is the best weapon we have at this point to battle hair loss.

[ThinningHairFML]

Would a combination of Nizoral and something like Lipogaine do much of anything at all?

Gynecomastia isn't the only reason I'm reluctant of Propecia, at least at first... a lot of it is the side effects I've heard. I know the chances of getting a bad side effect are low, but I'd just like to wait... it'd take awhile, but I could get over baldness -- I couldn't get over the utter possibility of permanent impotence, severe depression, and brain fog.

Also, I haven't even been properly diagnosed for MPB (appointment in two weeks), but I have something going on. Minor scalp itches and scratches followed by a few (seemingly) miniaturized hairs? Not good. I was hoping it'd be thyroid related, but I'm not holding my breath... the kind of hair loss I'm experiencing isn't in sync with that.

[burtandernie]

There is no reason to think any hair loss is from anything but MPB I mean just odds are if your male its almost certainly MPB

[ThinningHairFML]

Yeah. Well hopefully in a couple weeks I can get confirmation. Believe me, I'm not going off saying "Nah, I'm not balding, it's gotta be my thyroid!" I am losing a lot of eyebrows and eyelashes as well, but not all MPB is created equal. Who knows.

I just hope my planned Biotin/Lipogaine/Nizoral regimine at least slows what's going on. For now, the only part that I think truly looks bad is the back of my head. I actually don't hate the bit of receding on my forehead as it makes me look less... twelve.

I pretty much refuse to try Propecia at this point though. Just not interested.

[burtandernie]

You know my dad recently told me I might have a thyroid problem because I have very little eyebrows left and most of the hair on my legs has fallen out too no idea if its related to the eyebrows or not. I eat lots of iron though so I think its BS personally but I guess who knows. A doc said though the lack of eyebrows could be thyroid issue

[ThinningHairFML]

My eyebrows aren't super thin but I feel like I lose a lot. A few times a day I can just gently touch them and get three or four eyebrow hairs out in one go on each eyebrow. I'm hoping it's a thyroid issue, but I don't know. I've turned into a sort of hypochondriac the past week. I don't have tell-tale signs of a thyroid issue, I don't think. Yeah, hair loss. Sure, I'm a bit fatigued (but I generally feel that way and have for years). I do have some vertical "peaks" on a few finger nails and a bit of pitting on both big toes, but not the usual symptom of weight gain or loss.

I try convincing myself it's my thyroid or something else because I'm losing my hair seemingly so rapidly, but it's hard to get my hopes up when realistically it's probably retrograde alopecia. Hairline's receding, hair loss quite heavily at my side burns and around ears, and huge amounts of thinning at the back of my head... going to suck waiting for my appointment.

[burtandernie]

cant hurt to check that though because the thyroid thing is treatable while mpb as we know really isnt,

[Aphrodite]

Are you on any other medications? Some prescription medications can cause gynecomastia. I would definitely recommend getting your hormone and thyroid levels checks, as levels outside of the normal range may contribute to the possibility of developing enlarged breast tissue in males. Some men with MPB do see results with combination therapy such as Nizoral, Rogaine, and topical steroids. Biotin can't hurt because it is needed to produce strong hair. Propecia is by far the most effective approved treatment on the market for MPB; however, I would recommend speaking to your Dr. first before making any decisions.

Aphrodite also posts as rapunzel and works at Dr. Cole's office - forhair.com - Cole Hair Transplant - 1070 Powers Place Alpharetta, Georgia 30009 - Phone 678-566-1011. The contents of my posts are my opinions and not medical advice.