Hair loss and treatment

I am a 44 year old female with a history of thyroid disease from age 15.  I had an overactive thyroid  and was surgically corrected. I ave in the last 6 months been diagnosed with hasimotos  thyroid disease, I am on medication that has this under  control.  Prior to the diagnosis I had started some high volume hair loss ( 100 to  200 oer day).  My PCP sent me to a Dermatologist  here in Virginia he  looked at my  head and said thet he thought it was patern hair loss.  I have a lot of body hair so he took a testosterone test which was normal.  he also started me on a medication called Aldomet.  Would you consider the  aldomet to be a proper course of action.  

I have also heard of products like  viviscal that may help.  Is this a good treatment option or just  money thrown away?

I am at wits end with this terrible thinning  any  sugggestions I may consider  will be appreciated.

Thank you

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Ivette:

The "high-volume" loss may have been temporary, due to the onset of your thyroiditis.  If your dermatologist diagnosed pattern hair loss, he must have thought that you are losing your hair on an ongoing basis, over and above the thyroid issue.

Alsdomet is ususlly given for high blood pressure.  If you mean Aldactone, this is sometimes prescribed for pattern hair loss (and other things), and is safe and worth perhaps at least a try.  As for viviscal, I have never heard of it.  I'm doubtful that it will be of help.

Another option you might want to consider and discuss with your dermatologist is minoxidil, now over-the-counter, safe, and much less expensive than it used to be.

Keep in mind that female-pattern baldness is much slower and less severe than male hair loss.  It may well be amny years before your hair is thin enough for anyone else to notice.

Best.