Irregular periods, scalp hairfall and excess facial hair

Resolved question:
I live in China and I am asking for my girlfriend. My girlfriend is Chinese and 24 years old. She has recently been losing a lot of hair. The hair coverage on the top of her scalp is already pretty thin. She has irregular periods and a light, but visible, mustache on her top lip. I can get most medications over the counter. I've read certain kinds of birth control medications may resolve these issues. Advice?

Submitted: 4 Days
Category: Family Physician-GP

Expert:  Dr. Jaydeep Tripathy replied 4 Days.

Hello,

Thank you for asking your query at DoctorSpring.

Before going for an medications / treatment she should get some baseline evaluation. There could be a underlying medical illness that is causing this hair loss. Even though the probability is less, it should not be missed.

1. Get a complete Blood Count (including Hb, MCV, MCHC) and ESR.
2. Get a Thyroid function test done (as high thyroid levels can cause hair loss and irregular periods)
3. Ultrasound examination of the Abdomen. (To rule out PCOD)

Now this is a baseline evaluation. Get in touch with your GP / Family Physician. If needed he/she will suggest some additional investigations. These tests are commonly available. Meanwhile she should take a B complex multi vitamin tablet and high protein diet. If she has some bowel upset like IBS it should be taken care. If the hairloss is persisting even after ruling out these conditions , she will have to go for specific treatment options which includes topical steriods, Minoxidil and other medications.

Hope this helps
Please feel free to ask follwoups / clarifications
Thank you


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Patient replied :

Hello,

We had a Thryoid Function Test done and we are set to see a doctor in 10 days for further analysis. These are the test results. The test seem to have some code in Roman characters by each test item that may indicate to you what was being tested for. An Ultra Sound was performed and I have attempted to translate the results:

The overal size is normal. The thickness of the Futaba (??)is 1.3cm. Isthmus thickness is .2 cm. Surface is smooth. The echo is not even and is a bit low. The right side is a bit big 0.8*0.4 cm. The left side is a bit big 0.5* 0.3 cm. The border is clear. The internal echo is not even. CDFI: No obvious blood flow signal was detected. CDFI: Thyroid blood supply is normal. Lymph nodes on both sides of the neck are not swollen.


Expert:  Dr. Jaydeep Tripathy replied 3 Days.

Hello,

The thyroid tests are normal. Keep taking the vitamin supplement. Also you may want to rule out an autoimmune process by doing a ANA test. Do discuss this with your Doctor.

She does not appear to have a Thyroid function problem
Thank you

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