Just had my miniturization test

[akha]

Hey guys

I am writing from Sydney, Australia. Im gonna share my story and let you guys decide what you think.

I only recently became concerned about hair loss after seeing more hairs falling out that usual. The amount that fell out was not excessive - maybe 3 or 4 hairs on pillow, maximum 20 to 30 in the shower and towel - but more than usual. I got worried and started doing research and ran into this blog. As a result I went and saw a doctor - did blood test and said everything is fine (no miniturization test).

Then I went to a trichologist and he did a miniturization test and said I have very little miniturization of hair. I asked him how much - he said maybe 2 or 3%. Hence I have no genetic thinning/minturization.

However in addition to this the trichologist prescribed tyrosine (amino acid) for me. He noted there was redness/swelling around my hair follicles caused by white blood cells attacking the stem of the hairs (according to him). I noticed this redness when he was doing the miniturization microscopic test - the redness is not visible to the naked eye but quite evident around the follicles under microscope.

I want to know if this is the right course of action? What is this redness exactly? Is this what is causing my more than usual shedding?

Additional info: I'm 23 and my dad is the only one of my relations with hair loss. He is probably a norwood V and lost most of his hair in his 30s.

Thanks a lot for any responses.

[akha]

Basically I do not have much faith in the trichologist, because his explanations were very vague and unscientific. Any help is much appreciated.

[DownUnder]

Your best bet would be to get your doctor to refer you to a dermatologist, preferably one that specializes in hair. In Australia a consultation will be about $150 about 50% of which can be claimed on Medicare. Waiting lists vary, but in Melbourne a typical wait is about 1-2 months.

Dermatologists would be the best bet in finding skin conditions relating to hair loss. Trichologists I dont believe are even actual medical doctors, at least not in Australia.

When it comes to diagnosing male pattern baldness, I don't think they are as reliable, however, as I have gotten 3 different answers from 3 different dermatologists, and only one, who said I was not balding, actually did any sort of test under the microscope...but I dont think it was a minituzation test...

Still I would go to the dermatologst as your next step. I dont think male pattern baldness actually leads to excessive shedding of hair...it sheads normally and htne just doesnt comes back as thick each time...form what I understand.