Question about AGA sign

[mamaherrera]

I've been doing better with shedding, honestly, I've gotten away from the 200+ daily I had three years ago. My ponytail circumference measures the same, thank God. But. . . . the only complaint, worry I have is this. I still shed some of those vellus hairs, and some longer, thinner, kinky hairs. My husband has found both the vellus (less of them but yes) in my bangs area, and the thinner/kinky, 3-4 inch ones also evenly dispersed throughout my head. If I go to a doc, they will tell me right away it is AGA. But I still have some hope, which is why I come to you because you are informed but not a doc. I have two thoughts/observations to share with you.
http://www.hairdiseases.com/diseases-th ... ause.shtml In this article, it states there are three types of TE and the chronic one, does describe truncated growth cycles that produce thin hair fibers.
Also, observing my 11-year old daughter's head (who has way more hair than I do) she has many of these transparent, kinky hairs on her head/bangs/wherever as well.

So my humble question to you, just of your opoinion, is can these thin hair fibers/vellus hairs be normal to an extent??? If you look at my part line compared to my daughter, you can see I have less hair than she does, but I never had as much hair as she does. But these vellus hairs, that my husband can find in my bangs, or whereever do bother me, as docs have made us think it's not normal and that is my "death sentence" of AGA and nothing else. I guess I"m just trying to seek out if in reality it can be normal or something else, before I go on to accepting AGA. Thanks!

[Tom Hagerty]

The article you linked to about telogen effluvium has a lot of informational content. In the article's definition of chronic TE the author mentions truncated growth cycles. The anagen stage of the cycle is so short that a full-length terminal hair never appears.

In the section under the heading - Relation to other hair diseases - the author says that it's hard to differentiate among the different forms of alopecia. TE looks like the first stage of the other alopecias like AGA or even alopecia areata.

In the photo, your hair looks almost the same as your daughter's. The part is a little wider but the quality of your hair is luxuriant. Am I missing something? I'm sure that many women would like to have hair like yours.

But you say that your husband finds vellus hairs in your bangs. It must be great to have a husband with 20/20 vision. And the docs tell you that your hair is not normal. The "death sentence" of AGA is hanging over you.

I can't tell you what is in reality normal. From the photo, though, your hair looks thick and healthy.

[mamaherrera]

Thanks! That's where the stress comes from--never being able to get a definite answer from docs. But having a wide--er part isn't necessarily bad, right, just a difference in density? Like my husband says--I've always had a wider part, even when I was smaller. I don't mean to be rude or demand answers from you--it's just I get frustrated, because I see my hair as being fine-I've always had "thick" hair but not lots of "density" just fluffy hair, that''s how my hair is. Yes I had a big shed that lasted for many years, but I guess knowing too much information (like about skinny hairs) makes me more paranoid than if I didn't know this stuff. I appreciate you taking a look, it is very annoying for me, because I'd like to get some peace from all this, but like I said, it's been five years since having the big shed, that lasted or 2-3 years. It's better now, but like I said, I still find some of those stick-thin hairs--even I can see them, that are way shorter than mine and don't grow. Thanks for taking your time. . . don't know if I understood the point you were trying to make, but thanks for your time!
Andrea

[Tom Hagerty]

never being able to get a definite answer from docs.

I'd like to get a definite answer too - like who is going to win next year's Kentucky Derby. But sometimes, especially where hair loss is concerned, definite answers are not easy. I don't want to diminish your need for an unqualified answer though. You would think that a dermatologist examining your scalp, perhaps performing a scalp biopsy, and even doing a lab workup could give you some firm diagnosis and some thoughtful prescriptions for success.

A definite answer

Hair loss specialist.jpg (6.28 KiB) Viewed 20927 times

That would be a dream scenario. Another dream scenario would be an Internet guru giving you a definitive diagnosis and prescription. I'm sure that some self-styled gurus would be glad to do this though.

But you're doing the right thing. You are learning a lot about the biology of hair growth and loss. You're asking questions and hoping to get some answers that will help you make rational decisions. But after looking at your hair in the photo, I see no reason to be desperate. Many women would die to have hair like you have.

[mamaherrera]

Thanks so much, Tom. I just wonder, having a wider part than my daughter, is that bad?? Or just a normal variance?