which one?

In 1998 I had a bald spot on my scalp. I was told this was alopecia and that it would grow back in a few months.  A year later it started to get bigger, I was sent to a dermatologist who confirmed it was alopecia areata and sent me away with some steroid cream which I used daily. A year on from that it progressed to fifty percent of my scalp, by this point I no longer bothered with the cream.  It took a further 8 months to finally lose all my scalp.  The next six months I lost my eyebrows and lashes.  Three years later I have now lost my pubic hair, but still get regular growth on my legs and never lost my forearm hair.

What type of alopecia does this seem to be, because areata only seems to be on the scalp.

Have you ever known hair loss to be over such a long period?

Also I was tested for thyroid function which came back as:
thyro microsomal HA Titre - 80   (out of range)

What does this mean?
I don't like to bother my Doc's as I do know there is no miracle cure (unfortunately!)

Any suggestions would be appreciated
Thanks

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

What you have is alopecia totalis.  This form of alopecia often results in permanent hair loss--but not always.  Even in extensive cases, hair follicles are still viable and the hair may grow back.

Although alopecia totalis is not always associated with internal problems, you should have a thorough evaluation for autoimmune diseases (like thyroid.)  I'm not too impressed with your blood test results, but you need an expert opinion on them.

In all likelihood, you won't turn put to have any other diseases.  Treatment for this condition is poor.  Injection of steroids to stimulate eyebrow growth may be worth a try.  There are other methods as well, which a dermatologist can review with you.  

Meantime, a good resource for both information and patient support materials is the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, www.naaf.org.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[SASSY-30]

In which way are you not impressed with the blood test result? Does it not make sense?
The overall thyroid function was classed normal with just the HA titre being out, or do you think that's a mistake?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

A titer of 80 is borderline, and often does not represent a true abnormality.  But you need to ask the doctor who drew the blood for clarification on this point.

Dr. Rockoff