Telogen Effluvium without recovery after 1 year

[thyroida]

I suffered Telogen Effluvium and lost 60% of my hair 1 year ago, Feb-March 2009.  The hair loss was triggered by both Thyroid and Iron (FE 16); thyroid stabilized in Aug09 and iron levels recently reached 70.  I am not seeing any regrowth at this point.   Is it true that the hair follicle will shrivel up and remain dormant after 1 year?  In general, would you expect that my hair will grow back (and when should I expect regrowth)?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Under normal circumstances hair growth in each hair follicle occurs in a cycle. There are three main phases of the hair growth cycle; anagen, catagen and telogen. Anagen is the active growth phase when hair fibre is produced, catagen is a period of controlled regression of the hair follicle and telogen is the resting phase.  

On entering catagen the dermal papilla( which is responsible for growth of hair)condenses or shrivels as the cells become inactive. With a lack of dermal papilla cell stimulation, the hair fibre and root sheaths stop growing. In telogen the dermal papilla can become isolated in the dermis and the hair fibre can easily be pulled out (by combing or brushing). So it does not reverse.

I sincerely hope that helps. Take care.

[thyroida]

Hello, my question is, is it true that the hair follicle will shrivel up and remain dormant if the hair has not grown back after 1 year?  

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Telogen effluvium is nonscarring alopecia characterized by diffuse hair shedding, often with an acute onset. There is a chronic form also which persists for a longer duration and starts with insidious onset. Chronic telogen effluvium is hair shedding lasting longer than 6 months. Treatment consists of medications like Minoxidil, surgical approach(hair transplantation) and improvement in diet.

My sincere advice is to consult a trichologist and discuss these treatment options with him. In the meantime take care of your diet and eat a healthy nutritious diet.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.