Lab test results

[Geoffrey Redmond, MD, FACE]

I recently saw an endo who checked my DHEA-S and testosterone levels. She informed me that my testosterone was less than 0.1(she said undetectable) and my DHEA was 23 on a 26 - 200 ug/dL scale. She referred me to a gyn dr who does natural/bio homones. She said that she thought I needed to raise my hormone levels. She also told me that she thought my low levels could also be a contributing factor in my hair loss(no underarm hair, sparse on legs and pubic area, and hair loss on scalp). My question is if my testosterone and DHEA are so low, then could they possibly be a reason for the massive loss of hair on my scalp? Or do I need a wee bit of testosterone? This is all so confusing, but I have had every test in the world and everything has been normal except for iron and ferritin(she checked my ferritin levels at my request - it is now at 48). At this point, I am willing to do whatever to get my hair to start regrowing . . . I am 58 years old and until 8 months ago, I had a massive head of hair . . . everyone always commented on how much hair I had. Today, I did not want to even leave the house, although I know that no one but me would notice. Sometimes I just wish I could go to sleep and not wake up . . . Please help with advice!! My son is getting married in June and I just hope I still have enough hair not to be embarrassed . . . I never knew how crippling and cruel this could be. Sometimes I wonder if I should have started monoxil(sp??), but no female in my family has hair loss!! I do not think it is genetic. I just want some answers . . . Thank you!!!!!

I hear women told that testosterone is low or that testosterone will help their hair frequently. Whoever says such things knows nothing about endocrinology. Anyone who looks at men's hair compared to women's can see what testosterone does to hair -- it makes it fall out! I see many women whose hair was made much worse by being put on testosterone.

As I explain in detail in my book, It's Your Hormones, normal lab values do not mean that hair loss is not hormonal or that it cannot be treated. If estrogen is slightly low, or the hair follicles are too sensitive to testosterone, hair loss results. This can be treated effectively for most affected women.

[Colleen]

Wanda, good luck with your appt with Dr. Redmond this weekend, please keep me posted on how it goes! Keeping my fingers crossed for you!!

[Tselani]

Yes, Wanda! Good luck in NY, and I look forward to hearing about it!

Welcome, Colleen!

I wanted a second opinion myself, so I'm going to a local endocrinologist at the end of June.

Tse

[Wanda]

Hello friends!! I had my visit with Dr. Redmond last Saturday(May 2). I was very impressed with him. He was extremely nice, answered all my questions(I forgot to ask a couple, though), and knows what he is talking about!! He says my hair loss problem is due to low estrogen. It is not testosterone(DHT) related since my values are so low. He wants me to switch to the transdermal estrogen instead of the oral, since your body actually gets more from the transdermal. So, I have 2 more pills and then I will switch to the "patch". I also have to take prometrium(200 mg for 12 days each month). The wierd thing about prometrium for me is that instead of making me sleepy, it has the opposite effect!! Wierd, huh? Since being on the oral estrogen, I can tell I am losing less hair(just the normal amount, but at this point I don't want to lose ANY!!). I feel very hopeful since seeing him. I told him my son was getting married in June and I wanted to make sure I would be "safe" hairwise, and he said absolutely. When I told him I had probably lost half of my hair, I am not sure he believed me . . . my hair was SO THICK, you would have to dig it apart to see my scalp. I never parted my hair because it would not stay parted!! Well, it sure does now and I see more scalp than I want to. Anyway, having said all this, I think the absolutely best thing to do is to see a doctor who understands hairloss and what to do about it. It may be expensive, but in the end, what price do you want to put on your hair and the despair we go through? I am fortunate that my son lives in NYC - just 4 blocks south of Dr. Redmond's office. I have seen so many doctors who just "blew me off" . . . I think because they just don't know what to do. By the way, I am using a great shampoo now. It is Giovanni. I use the Tea Tree Triple Treat(for all hair types) and the Smooth As Silk Deeper Moisture Conditioner(my hair had gotten really frizzy). I have tried so many before, but I really like this one. It is organic, so that is good. Please keep me posted on your progress!! I think about you and all of "us" in this situation all the time. I also pray for you gals, because until we go through the same thing as someone else, it is difficult to identify with that person. Now, I definitely do identify, and therefore I do pray for all of us!!

[Wanda]

Tse - I have started a thread about the vivelle dot. I did switch a week ago and it seemed my hair shedded more this past week. Also, scalp is more itchy, etc in the back. I was so excited after my visit with Dr. Redmond. Things were going so much better for me. I felt really down today, but it is rainy and yucky outside, and that does not help things!! I am sure we normally lose more hair at times, so I am not going to be alarmed yet. I do have a call into Dr. Redmond to see if he thinks the vivelle dot has anything to do with it. How are YOU doing? Have you noticed any changes yet?