As a Trichologist specialising in the causes and treatment of female hair loss, I am consulted by many women – who by good fortune or sheer desperation – see me as their final hope.
Regrettably they are often frustrated to the point of tears – and skeptical about what I’ll say or offer. Frustrated because they’ve often been passed from one medical specialist to another by their well-intentioned local Doctor; continually told: ‘its genetic’ or ‘its stress’ or ‘its menopause’ – but rarely any real investigations, answers, or treatment options are offered.
The skeptical ladies are usually the unfortunates who’ve misguidedly pinned their hopes on the slick advertising of commercial hair loss companies, or the persuasive sales patter of commission-driven salesmen. After spending $$$$thousands on an unsuccessful ‘one treatment fits all’ hair loss program, they arrive at my door with understandable distrust.
Last year I was taken to task by a representative from one of the two prominent hair loss companies in this country. He was upset that I was drawing consumer’s attention to a UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruling, which had banned this company from advertising certain claims there – which under different rules – they are still able to make here in Australia.
As this company touts itself on being a MEDICAL hair loss centre – I had a few questions for him:
- He assured me – contrary to what I’d been told – that baseline blood testing was ordered by his company’s doctors on all presenting female patients. If a sound clinical history is not backed up by blood test investigations for the common causes of nutritional-metabolic disturbance in women – then it’s just guesswork.
- He insisted that every client of his company is provided with official pharmacy receipts for the prescription products they pay for. Official pharmacy receipts allow the client to claim these items on respective private health insurance and return money to their pockets.
I have more than twenty of this company’s clients (male and female) whom I now treat. Only ONE married woman from Melbourne reports ever having a doctor from this company initiate blood testing prior to commencing treatment – and (she says) it was only because she insisted!
Not one of these clients I now treat indicate they EVER received an official pharmacy receipt for the products they were prescribed.
So either over twenty different people from around Australia are misleading me – or this company’s representative has his facts wrong.
He was also adamant their ‘medical’ treatment programs were individually-tailored for every new female client and NOT one-dimensional.
Whilst I do agree a standard treatment formula may be applied to most males presenting with androgenic alopecia – this approach will not provide a successful outcome for the overwhelming majority of women.
Declining scalp hair density and hair shedding in females is multi-factorial; requiring a detailed history-taking and very specific blood pathology testing. Salivary hormone testing, complete digestive stool analysis (CDSA), or a functional liver detoxification profile (FLDP) may also be required to elicit the cause of the hair fall.
When treating female hair loss issues the GOLDEN RULE is: ‘hair loss in women is an indicator of underlying disturbance’ – nutritional, autoimmune, metabolic and/or hormonal.
Three of these previously very skeptical women have urged me to highlight their experiences in the hope it may save other women much anxiety, money, and time wasted.
With their permission I overview their respective cases and leave it to the reader to decide how individualised OR one-dimensional the treatment plan of this MEDICAL hair loss centre was:
- 34 year old Melbourne Mother – the lady who insisted on a blood test – found to be severely deficient in iron, iodine, and Vitamin D (as well as low range Vitamin B12). She instructs me her iron studies were ordered by the company’s medico but never followed up. Their treatment approach for her:
- 12 month supply of Minoxidil topical solution
- Anti-male hormone prescription drug (Aldactone)
- Oral birth control contraceptive (with an anti-male hormone additive)
- Cost: around $3,500.00
- She informs she developed a severe irritation to the Minoxidil + Retin A topical solution and only used a few mls from her initial bottle. After much haggling she apparently received a refund of around $2000.
With an iron storage (ferritin) of 5ug/L; Iodine 20ug/L, and Vitamin D 30nmol/L you could have filled a swimming pool with Minoxidil for her to paddle in all day and it would have made no difference. She had no nutritional support for her hair to grow.
- 28 year old Sydney-based woman of Indian heritage; due to be married at the time. She states that no baseline blood testing was ever offered to her (or even mentioned) by this company’s representatives. Testing revealed iron stores five times under where they should optimally be, and a Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) result of 6.57mU/L (upper limit of ‘normal’ is 4-4.5mU/L) – she had an under functioning thyroid gland.
What are the common early symptoms of an under functioning thyroid gland: HAIR LOSS, lethargy, and weight gain…
I am a Trichologist + Registered Nurse (and not a Medical Doctor) BUT I would suggest that a TSH of 6.57mU/L would begin alarm bells ringing in the mind of a 1st year medical student.
The treatment programme for this lady:
- 12 month supply of Minoxidil topical solution
- Anti-male hormone prescription drug (Aldactone)
- Oral birth control contraceptive (with an anti-male hormone additive)
- Cost: around $3,500.00
- 30 year old single Melbourne woman of Asian heritage who experienced a telogen effluvium hair shedding following a protracted viral illness. Telogen effluvium is – in essence – a temporary and ultimately self-correcting condition that is often triggered by high fevers associated with illness, sudden shock or prolonged emotional stress, food poisoning, surgical/dental procedures, sudden weight loss/dietary changes, commencing/ceasing certain medication, or following childbirth.
Again, baseline blood pathology should always be reviewed by the consultant practitioner to ensure optimal nutritional + metabolic support for good hair regrowth.
Would the reader care to guess the treatment plan for this SELF-CORRECTING condition?
- 12 month supply of Minoxidil topical solution
- Anti-male hormone prescription drug (Aldactone)
- Oral birth control contraceptive (with an anti-male hormone additive)
- Cost: around $3,500.00
- And yet again – NO baseline blood testing suggested (according to my client)
The powers-that-be within this ‘Medical’ Hair Loss franchise will recognise themselves instantly. I say to you on behalf of your clients – present and future – LIFT YOUR GAME.
If you claim to be a MEDICAL hair loss centre then BE one. As training Doctors I’m sure you never prescribed 6-12 month supply of antibiotics for patients to go away with – why is it any different with Minoxidil?
Knowing you’ve spent $$$$thousands on an ineffectual treatment is no laughing matter in these hard times, but occasionally some amusing anecdotes come out:
One female patient of mine relates she attended the Sydney office of this medical hair loss centre seeking some information only.
She was allegedly shown the door after being bluntly told: “We are not here to give out information but to make SALES…..”!!
You can’t ever imagine your family Doctor saying that can you? ….. but they’d never tell you to ‘come financially prepared’ either!
POST-SCRIPT: At the risk of sounding like I’m full of myself – if you are doing the right thing by your patients/clients, this is the type of feedback you tend to receive (both were sent to me late last week):
Mrs. AH (Sydney – Feb. 2009) – Just a quick email to say thank you for finding my thyroid issue! It turns out that I do have hypothyroidism with my metabolic rate being 26% below what is expected of me! So I can’t thank you enough, life is looking even better now that I’ve found that out! Thank you thank you thank you!!
Mrs. D. McL (Sydney – Feb. 2009) – I must tell you though my nails have NEVER been so good in my whole life! They are growing so well and just won’t break. The other change is my hair. You cannot see through it like you could before and is growing much healthier and stronger. My joints don’t ache and my dodgy knee is back to normal (so my bones must be charged now!). I have eliminated wheat and dairy (except goat’s cheese) from my diet and am noticeably better for it! No more stomach troubles (unless I eat either of them). Thank you so much for changing saving my life Tony!!!