RedHeadUK's Story - (26 / seeking medical help in the UK)

[RedHeadUK]

Hello,

I've been suffering hair loss since I was about 16, although I didn't notice it at the time. I think it may be stress related as I only noticed bald patches in periods running up to exams until I left university. After leaving university and being unsatisfied in my job and the general direction of my life, my hair loss has increased exponentially so now at 26 I have what looks like a really bad undershave.

As seems quite common I have really thick hair (or rather had) so doctors told me to be thankful for that. I saw a hospital based dermatologists about a year or so ago who basically told me it was an auto-immune disease and there was not a lot that could be done about it. He explained that as I get occasional re-growth, in all likliehood it will grow back back in my mid to late thirties. At my current rate of hair loss, I reckon I'm going to be pretty darned bald before I even get into my thirties.

What I'd like help on is what to do after you've been referred to a dermatologist who tells you nothing can be done. I see that there are varying treatments out there but I don't know if these are the kind of things you can push for on the NHS. Although there is nothing I would like more than to see a return to my full head of hair, I currently can't afford expensive private treatments, especially when the NHS consultant told me that he thought they offered false hope. Is there any point in going back to your GP to push for them to explore other avenues? Also, do the NHS offer vouchers for wigs for alopecia sufferers in the same way they do for those undergoing chemotherapy?

Okay, lots of questions but any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[Trenchant]

Re: Advice on seeking medical help in the UK

Since Im in the USA I am not familiar with the NHS or its resources, but physicians in general do not think outside the box. This is partially due to legal risk, and partially due to a misconception they have that the information provided to them is the end-all be-all gospel truth, and anything outside of their training book is a waste of time. The smart physicians (and you are going to have to do your own research finding one like this) actually read the studies on PubMed and keep themselves apprised of new treatments, and the studies being done, as well as the results found.

The hair loss you have described is Alopecia Areata, though you haven't labeled it as such in your post. Assuming you've only seen patchy baldness and not diffuse thinning, then this is Alopecia Areata. This is an auto-immune disease and there is not a lot that can be done treatment-wise aside from steroid injections into the scalp, which do work quite well for most people. An examination however of your hormonal makeup is imperative. There is a list of bloodwork you can expect your physician to have done, to rule out any imbalances in your system. This should be your first order of business.

» DHEAS, Testosterone, Androstenedione, Prolactin, Follicle Stimulating and Leutinizing Hormone
» Serum Iron, Serum Ferritin, TIBC (Total Iron Binding capacity)
» Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
» VDRL
» Complete Blood Count (CBC)

 

[Hayley]

Re: Advice on seeking medical help in the UK

What I'd like help on is what to do after you've been referred to a dermatologist who tells you nothing can be done. I see that there are varying treatments out there but I don't know if these are the kind of things you can push for on the NHS. Although there is nothing I would like more than to see a return to my full head of hair, I currently can't afford expensive private treatments, especially when the NHS consultant told me that he thought they offered false hope. Is there any point in going back to your GP to push for them to explore other avenues? Also, do the NHS offer vouchers for wigs for alopecia sufferers in the same way they do for those undergoing chemotherapy?

I'm in the Uk and after having pushed for lots of tests etc, after 2 years i eventually got a diagnosis. You should push for all the tests that trenchant suggests as i had those all done twice and then i had hair strand tests too. I was initially told there was nothing i could do, but i got there in the end.

I have been told about vouchers for wigs for alopecia sufferers but from what i gather they are only valid at certain retailers, ie ones with old fashioned, obvious looking wigs