Diagnosis and Symptoms of Androgenetic Alopecia aka Genetic Hair Loss

Androgenetic alopecia is the fancy name for genetic hair loss. It is where there is a history of thinning hair going back generations. If you are going bald and are not sure why, there is a good chance it is because of this condition.

Getting a diagnosis early helps in cessation of this disorder.

This loss of hair can afflict both men and women at any age. In men, genetic hair loss most often results in total baldness. In women there is hair thinning, but the hair line remains in tact. This can result in a powder keg of emotions due to effects these symptoms have on self image.

Common Symptoms of Genetic Hair Loss:

In women - One of the most common symptoms involved accelerating of hair thinning In men - Hair loss happens at the crown of the head, and rapidly receding hairline

Signs and symptoms of genetic hair thinning can begin as early as the teenage years. For women, it rarely leads to complete baldness. However, in men this condition almost always leads to total loss of hair.

Diagnosis of Androgenetic alopecia:

In order to be sure that there is no underlying cause for genetic hair loss, such as a thyroid condition, specific testing may be ordered by your health care provider in order to make a proper diagnosis.

Common tests to diagnose genetic hair loss include a physical examination and health history check, the Wood's lamp and scrapings of the scalp, if deemed necessary, biopsy if lesions are present and finally the thyroid function test.

This thyroid testing will be done if it is suspected as the culptrit behine the condition. If thyroid hormones are out of balance, it can prevent hair growth.

Many medical conditions can play a part in genetic hair loss. The rapid onset of the condition can appear similar to what occurs with other conditions so these must be ruled out.

After your condition has been diagnosed, a treatment path will be decided upon. The effects of this treatment should begin to appear within the first 3-15 weeks and a much fuller head of hair should be seen at the end of the first year.

Hair loss is experienced by millions of people all over the world. With proper diagnosis and treatment you will see an end of losing your hair and a regrowth of new locks can soon follow.


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Jared Wright is the marketing manager of Clivir.com - the free learning community site. You can learn more about female hair loss issues such as female thinning hair and natural hair loss cures by clicking the links.