what to expect from a dermatologist ?

[plainjanegirl]

OK so as some of you may no I have been battling with some hair loss issues for some time now. All the different doctors test my thyroid and it is fine. One doctor told me she thought I had some dandruff and it would cause hair loss. Well nothing has gotten any better. So I finally asked if I could be referred to a dermatologist. So it looks like I will be seeing one in a few weeks. When I spoke with the receptionist at the dermatologist office I asked if it is better to come with freshly washed hair and she said it does not matter. I also told her that I have never been to a dermatologist and don't know what to expect....I asked so will they have a good idea of what is causing the hair loss after the first visit and she said oh yes. I was dreading this because I thought it would take several appointments before they came up with a good idea of what is going on. It doesn't help that it is an hour away. So who has been to a dermatologist and what was your experience? Did it help?

[spidermom]

I went to a dermatologist for acne issues. They're individuals so I'm sure that the person you're seeing will be different from the one that I saw. Mine seemed completely indifferent, and I'm not even sure that she listened to me. The treatment she prescribed did seem to help for awhile, but like everything I try on my own, it quit working. Best wishes; I hope you get some definitive answers and a cure.

[plainjanegirl]

I went to a dermatologist for acne issues. They're individuals so I'm sure that the person you're seeing will be different from the one that I saw. Mine seemed completely indifferent, and I'm not even sure that she listened to me. The treatment she prescribed did seem to help for awhile, but like everything I try on my own, it quit working. Best wishes; I hope you get some definitive answers and a cure.



Ok so I probably need to open my eyes up and not get high hopes. I am praying and keeping fingers crossed that it does help cause if not then I feel like I am stuck and I give up.

[longhairdreams]

I dont have anything to add about Derm's, but I just want to say good luck with your appt.

[helen2806]

I've been to two different dermatologists about acne and they were both really nice and helped me a lot - but like spidermom said yours might be different. hope it goes well though :)

[bjt]

Hey there! Don't despair... sometimes you gotta keep going to get new opinions until you find someone that can help you. Its frustrating, but don't give up.
I think going to a dermatologist is a good idea. but, like all doctors, there are good ones and bad ones.
I had terrible acne when I was young, and have had continued skin problems now that I'm an adult so I've seen a bunch. sometimes you go in and some jerk tells you to get a laser treatment and walks out. but I kept at it until I found a good, caring dermatologist who has helped me.

My doctor is in manhattan--if your interested in her name, just PM me. When I first met her I thought she was 14 (a sure sign of getting older!) but she's been really knowledgeable and helpful.

I suggest going to this doctor with a list of questions in hand. be clear about what the problem is and see how he responds. If he's vague, unhelpful or dismissive then move on to the next one. But hopefully this doctor will have some answers for you.

good luck!

[Curlsgirl]

Good idea to have a list ready and if he/she seems in a "rush" just don't be timid to take the time you need for answers. My experience has been that like a regular physician much of the diagnosis is trial and error. There are so many different things a skin condition can be that sometimes they try something just to see if it works. For example, I had an itchy, bumpy rash on my face only for several years. I went to supposedly the best dermatologist in the area and he said it was Rosacea. He gave me some medicine and it did not help. BUT Rosacea is hard to treat evidently and I assumed he knew what he was doing. So then, after no relief, about a year later I went for another opinion. He said it was not rosacea but adult acne. He gave me another medicine that helped a tiny bit but still I had little relief. FINALLY, I went on the Atkins diet. It was purely coincidental that it all went away in about three weeks. I realized finally that it had been a wheat allergy and since Atkins calls for no BREAD that's what gave me relief. SOOOOOOOOOO there ya go.

Be ready for some trial and error and so as much research as you can yourself to be as well-informed as possible.

One more thing, thyroid is easy to misdiagnose also so if you have all the other symptoms don't give up. Find a good endocrinologist.

[Beloved]

Going to a dermatologist was a complete waste of time and money for me when I was dealing with hair loss. He said I had seborrheic dermatitis and should use a few OTC shampoos for that. He said seborrheic dermatitis does not cause hair loss, but that mine was probably seasonal. I knew something was wrong with me, but I could tell he wasn't going to be helpful.

I had to figure out on my own that the problem was nutritional.

If I were you, I would see an endocrinologist rather than a derm.

[plainjanegirl]

Going to a dermatologist was a complete waste of time and money for me when I was dealing with hair loss. He said I had seborrheic dermatitis and should use a few OTC shampoos for that. He said seborrheic dermatitis does not cause hair loss, but that mine was probably seasonal. I knew something was wrong with me, but I could tell he wasn't going to be helpful.

I had to figure out on my own that the problem was nutritional.

If I were you, I would see an endocrinologist rather than a derm.



What is the difference between a endocrinologist or a dermatologist?
I am kinda limited with my current insurance. The dermatologist is an hour away from me.

[Bene]

What is the difference between a endocrinologist or a dermatologist?


an endocrinologist checks your hormones.

[lizzyjo]

I saw a dermatologist when I was a teen and had really bad acne. To make the visit worth your while, be sure to ask all of your questions, and don't be self-conscious when he/she takes a good look at your skin. This part can make your self-conscious. It may make you nervous, but you are paying them for their time, so be sure to get an answer that you are happy with.

[Hairtada]

Write down all your questions so you don't forget to ask .It is so easy to forget to ask the things you really want to. It does seem like an endocrinologist visit would be a good idea for you as well.
See what the derm says and go from there. Good luck!

[Gabbie]

I have been to two derms for hair loss. The first one just glanced at my scalp and said I had female pattern baldness and shoved a box of Rogaine at me. The second one said you can't say pattern baldness without a biopsy. She did two, in different areas of my scalp. A week later she had the results. I had a severe inflammation but not female pattern baldness. I had to use a very strong steroid shampoo and a steroid lotion. It took almost a month to get it under control. Once the scalp got better the shedding slowed. Now I have to be very careful about keeping my scalp clean. I can't let it go more than two days without washing or the problem starts to come back. I also cannot let conditioner touch my scalp or it will flare up. ACV rinses help my scalp feel better.

I hope that your visit goes well and the Dr. can find out what is causing your problem. There are good derms and not so good derms. I hope your is a good one!

[hennared]

Hi, PJG -

Here is my experience.

First, I saw a primary care doc, who told me it was 'stress' and basically seemed to think I Was being a hysterical female.. he did not even look at my head. He did at least order some basic blood test, all of which came back normal... except for ever so slightly hyperthyroid values.

Then, I went to both a derm(atologist). and an endo(crinologist) doc for my hair loss issue. The derm I saw I thought was very good, in that she took the time to talk to me, and to LOOK, really look, at my hair & scalp. She did not do a biopsy, and yes, one cannot be sure of female pattern hair loss or not without that, but, one can make a good educated guess. She told me she thought I had telogen effluvium, in her opinion probably of hormonal cause. One thing she also told me was that she saw new growth everywhere (I have very diffuse loss, concentrated though, on the crown area - the back half of my natural part looks wider). Just to have a doc. LOOK at my head thoroughly and be able to tell me that, was worth it to me (if she'd told me there was no growth , I would have wanted to know that, too!) So.. she gave me information, but not 'help' in figuring out the exact cause of my loss. I think a derm. can only diagnose that if it is truly a scalp disorder.

The endo. doc I saw ordered more tests, but he thought my thyroid values were actually ok and that and he seemed to think we could rule out a thyroid issue for me... but I'm not sure he's right! Also I didn't think he ordered complete enough blood tests, and so, I still do not know if my cause is hormone related or not.

I'm going back to my dermatologist next month, as it will be 6 months since i saw her, just to see if she thinks my hair issue looks any different to her - I think it's not gotten much worse, the shedding is down, but I don't see the parting of my head improving with new growth.

I feel it is incredibly hard to get a doctor who is willing to thoroughly get to the bottom of hair loss.. most do not think it's important enough an issue. But, you might get lucky and get a doc. who is willing to go the extra mile and help you get to the root cause.

[plainjanegirl]

Hi, PJG -

Here is my experience.

First, I saw a primary care doc, who told me it was 'stress' and basically seemed to think I Was being a hysterical female.. he did not even look at my head. He did at least order some basic blood test, all of which came back normal... except for ever so slightly hyperthyroid values.

Then, I went to both a derm(atologist). and an endo(crinologist) doc for my hair loss issue. The derm I saw I thought was very good, in that she took the time to talk to me, and to LOOK, really look, at my hair & scalp. She did not do a biopsy, and yes, one cannot be sure of female pattern hair loss or not without that, but, one can make a good educated guess. She told me she thought I had telogen effluvium, in her opinion probably of hormonal cause. One thing she also told me was that she saw new growth everywhere (I have very diffuse loss, concentrated though, on the crown area - the back half of my natural part looks wider). Just to have a doc. LOOK at my head thoroughly and be able to tell me that, was worth it to me (if she'd told me there was no growth , I would have wanted to know that, too!) So.. she gave me information, but not 'help' in figuring out the exact cause of my loss. I think a derm. can only diagnose that if it is truly a scalp disorder.

The endo. doc I saw ordered more tests, but he thought my thyroid values were actually ok and that and he seemed to think we could rule out a thyroid issue for me... but I'm not sure he's right! Also I didn't think he ordered complete enough blood tests, and so, I still do not know if my cause is hormone related or not.

I'm going back to my dermatologist next month, as it will be 6 months since i saw her, just to see if she thinks my hair issue looks any different to her - I think it's not gotten much worse, the shedding is down, but I don't see the parting of my head improving with new growth.

I feel it is incredibly hard to get a doctor who is willing to thoroughly get to the bottom of hair loss.. most do not think it's important enough an issue. But, you might get lucky and get a doc. who is willing to go the extra mile and help you get to the root cause.


That is what I am afraid of...that they won't try to get to the bottom cause it's just hair. even though to me hair is a big thing, maybe I am obsessed. I have seen two different family doctors and one checked my throid which was fine and the other thought i had some dandruff and it would cause hair loss. I will be very upset if I take the time to see a dermatologist and it does not help any, cause I am gonna have to ask off for a day at work since it is an hour away. I keep second guessing myself as to if it is really worth it. I know I have been through alot of stress the past year or so and through doing some research I have discovered that both birth control and a heartburn medicine i am on can cause hair loss. I don't eat right like I should. So it's like should I take a step back and try to improve anything I can and wait and see if that helps . I am really indecisive. By the way I am gonna upload some new pics today of my hair loss area to see if it looks the same or any better.

[Beloved]

I have seen two different family doctors and one checked my throid which was fine

Which tests did they run, and what were your numbers?

[Sissy]

I have a dermatologist for my very sensitive skin issues (easily break out in rashes). I haven't been to him in a while but he is very nice. The first thing he wanted to do was check me over head to toe for any alarming skin things (moles or other marks or discolorations could mean cancer, etc). My check came out good. He did say I have a tiny mole on the arch of my foot that he'd remove for me if I want as when moles are on the arch of the foot it's sometimes recommended they get removed as you cannot view them as easily and might not notice changes in their color, etc. He gave me ideas on products to use and gave me a prescription for my face.

I have never gone to one about scalp/hair issues. I think it's definitely a good route to take though. A dermatologist is a very highly specialised doctor. If he sees something that he isn't sure about he'll refer you to another specialist to get checked out too.

[Beloved]

Plainjane, in addition to my question upthread, have you had a scalp biopsy?

[plainjanegirl]

Plainjane, in addition to my question upthread, have you had a scalp biopsy?


No I have never had a scalp biopsy? What is that?

[Beloved]

It's a diagnostic test. It can tell the doctor if you have lichen planopilaris, and I believe it is helpful for diagnosing several other causes of hair loss. Here are a few stories from women who had scalp biopsies as part of their diagnostic process: http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/category/scalp-biopsy/

[Curlsgirl]

I have read that it is very easy to misdiagnose thyroid issues. Most doctors go by the old guidelines and a lot of labs have not updated them. I have a link about all of this if you want it. It is extremely hard to find a good doctor to treat thyroid correctly. It can also be very dangerous to let it go untreated. Like I mentioned if you have all the other symptoms it would be worth checking into even if your blood tests came back "normal". PM me if you want that link. :flower: You are not obsessed. It shouldn't be this hard to get good treatment but sadly it is and seems to be getting worse in most medical areas :(

[Beloved]

That is good advice, Curlsgirl.

Also, I know I've said this before, but if your doctor just did TSH, he never actually tested your thyroid levels. At a minimum you need TSH, Free T3 and either Free T4 or Total T4. T3 is the thyroid hormone form your body can use, that's why it's so important to test it.

You can find out by calling the office of the doctor who tested you and asking for a copy of your results.