19 sudden and sever hair loss

[rapanui]

Hello I'm not noticing a receding hairline but my hair has gone really thin really quickly. Is this MPB or something else? It all happened in 6 month or less.

Should I go for a crew cut, buzz cut? would it be less noticeable with that?

[rapanui]

At your age and the speed of this, its a good idea to see a university dermatologist (via the aad website) or consider using the iahrs website to find a local doctor. It could be MPB but its good to be sure considering the speed and sudden onset.

Thank you for replying. What else could it be? My local doctors don't seem to be very knowledgeable. I saw a couple of them and they don't agree on a diagnostic. One of them said it could be MPB or alopecia aerata, and putted me on propecia. The other said she isn't sure, that it could be something stress related.

[Odam]

There are different types of alopecia like MPB or androgenetic alopecia, Telogen effluvium, alopecia areata (AA) etc. AA is autoimmune disorder also known as "spot baldness" that can result in hair loss ranging from just one location to every hair on the entire body. Once the hair has fallen out in certain spots, new growth is suppressed for weeks or months.
Sudden loss of hair is usually Telogen effluvium with 30 to 50 percent of hair loss occurs within three months after precipitating event like extreme stress, emotional trauma, surgery, and use of medication. In telogen effluvium, once the precipitating cause is removed, the hair will regrow. However, if its MPB, hair will miniaturize, so you will be shedding smaller and smaller hairs and gradually go bald. No matter what type, hair loss can be distressing and early intervention often fetches best result. However, you should have proper diagnosis before starting any treatment. So consult experienced dermatologist at earliest.

[RanDave]

Odam is right, you should consult a good specialist who will set the right diagnosis.
I suggest you also to consult an endocrinologist as hair loss, can be also related to thyroid problems. Just check your thyroid to exclude or confirm this possibility.

[jamesst11]

Any severe physical changes occur a few months prior to initiation of shedding? i.e. rapid weight loss, extreme diet change, surgery, injury, extreme depression or stress?

[rapanui]

Any severe physical changes occur a few months prior to initiation of shedding? i.e. rapid weight loss, extreme diet change, surgery, injury, extreme depression or stress?

Yeah a couple of them. Rapid weight loss and extreme diet change (almost carb-free) combined with a mild depression relapse.

Also when I first started to notice the shedding I've been taking creatine for 6 weeks or so which I've read can increase DHT levels

[BiqqieSmalls]

Yeah a couple of them. Rapid weight loss and extreme diet change (almost carb-free) combined with a mild depression relapse.

Also when I first started to notice the shedding I've been taking creatine for 6 weeks or so which I've read can increase DHT levels

Bingo!

[vineyard]

Any severe physical changes occur a few months prior to initiation of shedding? i.e. rapid weight loss, extreme diet change, surgery, injury, extreme depression or stress?

Is depression a likely factor? I have been dealing with depression for several years now, especially the last 8 months, which is when i think i started thinning.

[jame]

this is classic case of telogen effluvium. same happened to me. and expecting recovery. it happened to me 5 months ago. recovery is between 6 and 12 months, based on internet sources. realistically based on some sources hair will regrow at 8 month since eating pattern is normalised. Hair follicle entered to prolonged telogen phase. Prolonged means 2x regular telogen phase length.