Telogen Effluvium Miniaturized Regrowth

Question
QUESTION: Dear Dr. Fisher, I suffered a Telogen Effluvium about 1 year ago and my regrowth is coming in thinner.  Will the thinner hairs eventually return to normal density?  The hair loss was triggered by low ferritin, thyroid, and vitamin deficiency.



Thank you.



ANSWER: What you need is a scalp biopsy to determine exactly what type of hair loss you have.  A telogen effluvium is where the hair goes into a shedding cycle.  This usually lasts from 8-18 months but can be chronic if the ferritin, thyroid and vitamin deficiency are not treated.  Thinning hair is another issue.  This type of hair loss is genetic and is called female pattern hair loss.  The only treatment for this is Rogaine for Men which is stronger than Rogaine for Women.  A scalp biopsy can tell if you have female pattern hair loss.



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QUESTION: Thanks for your response.  I do not have a family history of hair loss. However, a dermatologist said I had Telogen Effluvium with Androgenetic Alopecia since the hairs are growing in thinner.  Is it possible that the hairs are thinner due to the lack of nutrients and deficiencies, and could the hairs return to normal density without rogain?   I also did not have any hair loss or thinning prior to this.  


Answer
Lack of nutrients and deficiencies are not responsible for the hair being thinner.  Miniaturized hairs are associated with female pattern hair loss which is genetic.  Telogen effluvium and female pattern are found together in many cases of hair loss that I see.  Androgenetic alopecia is female pattern hair loss which is genetic.