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 Dr. Alan J. Bauman is the Founder, Medical Director and Chief Surgeon of the Bauman Medical Group, P.A. located in Wharfside at Boca Pointe in Boca Raton, Florida. His practice is dedicated exclusively to treating male and female pattern hair loss. Dr. Bauman uses state-of-the-art medical and surgical techniques to help his patients maintain and/or restore their scalp hair.
Jamie
2004-05-26
rapid hair loss
This question is about my son, who is 18 years old. His body is of medium build but he wanted to play high school football, so he ate alot of food, lifted weights, and did take creatine off and on. He had to stuff himself all day, everyday, to keep the weight to play. When football ended in mid-november, he could hardly wait to just eat normal. So he ate when ever he was hungry and tried to watch his carbs, fat, and still eat a balanced diet. His continued to work out. His weight dropped 35-40 pounds by mid-january to early Feb. We noticed by January that he was having tons of hair coming out. His hair line receded a bit, but overall hairloss was very apparent. It is thicker around the back of his head, and even on the top. The worst seems to be at the rim I guess you could call it. I took him to a dermatologist who took a minute to diagnose male pattern baldness. In my family and my husbands family we do not have this until much later in life, like in their 50's. I told him about the weight loss and he just said it is mpb, and did not check his blood for thyroid or anything. He gave a prescription for propecia, which is very expensive. We have not started on this as I am not sure that I agree with the doctor. His hair is still falling out. You can see new hair at the hairline, but it is harder to see throughout the head, although there is some new. What do you suggest. He is only 18. I would also appreciate any recommendation of a doctor in my area, Salt Lake City, Utah, that specializes in hair loss. When I made my appointment, I asked for a specialist but I need another opinion. It is hard to ask someone who has developed something for hair loss, as they want to sell you their product.
The male pattern hair loss in the family is a DEFINITE risk factor. The diagnosis of male pattern hair loss does not require blood work. Many times, some hair loss is associated with weight loss---this is seen in people who go on 'crash diets' or who have had surgery for obesity. Propecia is safe, effective medication to slow the hair loss process and perhaps even stop it. It should not be more than $60/month, and may eventually need to be combined with other treatments. I would not wait to start him on the medication--if you wait for more hair loss to occur, the follicles cannot be saved. Unfortunately, I am not familiar with ANY hair restoration specialists in Utah---you see, there are less than 100 full-time hair restoration surgeons in the world.
If he is at risk for male pattern hair loss, he should definitely be on prescription Propecia -- this is the treatment of choice. Beware of the snake oil treatments.
Regards,
Dr. B.
Alan J. Bauman, MD
doctorb@baumanmedical.com
www.baumanmedical.com
1-877-BAUMAN-9 toll free
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