Scalp Biopsy Result - :[

[kellyjean]

My "derm" called me with the results and said it showed AGA. She said there was miniaturization and to just use Rogaine.

I don't understand how it can be AGA because I'm losing hair all over my head, not just at the crown. It's thinned out everywhere. No one in my family has it except for my mom, but she only got it when she hit menopause (However, I suspect a thyroid abnormality because she basically has no eyebrows). & I'm EIGHTEEN. How can I have FPB at EIGHTEEN?

I'm so upset right now. I don't know what to do.... I don't want to use Rogaine because I've heard it doesn't even work sometimes and that it can make hair fall out more - permanently.

I thought I was finally getting somewhere (my ferritin is low) but now I'm back to square zero and I feel totally hopeless.

[briggscreek]

My "derm" called me with the results and said it showed AGA. She said there was miniaturization and to just use Rogaine.

I don't understand how it can be AGA because I'm losing hair all over my head, not just at the crown. It's thinned out everywhere. No one in my family has it except for my mom, but she only got it when she hit menopause (However, I suspect a thyroid abnormality because she basically has no eyebrows). & I'm EIGHTEEN. How can I have FPB at EIGHTEEN?

I'm so upset right now. I don't know what to do.... I don't want to use Rogaine because I've heard it doesn't even work sometimes and that it can make hair fall out more - permanently.

I thought I was finally getting somewhere (my ferritin is low) but now I'm back to square zero and I feel totally hopeless.

I'm so sorry. :( I think that I read somewhere that hair loss from iron deficiency can cause miniturization that mimics AGA, so maybe you'll get some regrowth when your ferritin improves. I have low ferritin too and got a diagnosis of TE from my biopsy and seemed to be losing hair diffusely, but earlier I literally touched the crown of my head and came away with 15 hairs. I have no idea what's going on or if I can even trust the results of the biopsy.

[briggscreek]

Here's what I had read before, maybe this is the case for you.

The loss of this ferritin from the follicle cells can effect the ability of the hair to grow. This leads to the development of vellus (non pigmented fine hairs) which can be an early indication of deficiency. The presence of vellus hairs is easily mistaken for miniaturized hair seen in androgenic alopecia. We should note here that Iron deficiency hair loss could therefore mimic the pattern of androgenic alopecia hair loss.

[kellyjean]

Hmm. That makes me feel a bit better. I'll have to check whether the hair she found form the biopsy looked miniaturized, or if the actual follicles were.

Thanks for the information.

[Angela]

My "derm" called me with the results and said it showed AGA. She said there was miniaturization and to just use Rogaine.

I don't understand how it can be AGA because I'm losing hair all over my head, not just at the crown. It's thinned out everywhere. No one in my family has it except for my mom, but she only got it when she hit menopause (However, I suspect a thyroid abnormality because she basically has no eyebrows). & I'm EIGHTEEN. How can I have FPB at EIGHTEEN?

I'm so upset right now. I don't know what to do.... I don't want to use Rogaine because I've heard it doesn't even work sometimes and that it can make hair fall out more - permanently.

I thought I was finally getting somewhere (my ferritin is low) but now I'm back to square zero and I feel totally hopeless.

I'm sorry to hear the disappointing news, although its good that you at least know what you have. Some hair loss is a total mystery and no one knows why it happens.
FPB isn't like male pattern baldness. Although it can look similar in many women, that is where the similarities end. AGA can be localized to just the temples or crown or it can be diffuse and all over.
Its important to take the next step and figure out what you will do in terms of treatment. Treatment is a very personal choice as is wearing headwraps, hats, toppers, wigs or even shaving it all and being bald. Knowing what you will do to stay in control will give you a better outlook on all of this. :>