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Permalink Reply by Lexi on March 21, 2014 at 10:04pm

No.  They have no clue.  They will however gladly take your money.  They will tell you to try Rogaine, Biotin, the usual things you can research on Google yourself.  They will run a laundry list of blood tests and you better have good insurance to cover the price, because it is astronomical.  Oh, I suppose once in a while something does turn up on the blood work that may cause them concern, but not usually.  Sure, they would love to give you shots in your scalp that really won't do much for most.  Again, they will take your money gladly.  They have no answers for us. 

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Permalink Reply by Lilac on March 22, 2014 at 12:00am

I agree with Lexi. However, I believe there is ONE doctor who will genuinely want to help you. It's like finding a needle in a haystack. I don't have the type of alopecia that you may have but I have AGA. So if you have AA, AU, and AT, a doctor - that is, the one who wants to help you instead of stealing your money - might give you steroid injections. From my experiences with people who have this kind of alopecia, steroid injections have helped. So don't give up. You will have to keep finding a good doctor. 

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Permalink Reply by KFlame on March 22, 2014 at 4:35am

Paul like you the first time I went the doctor I was fobbed off, I was 16 and took a lot of courage to go. But in the end they blamed exam stress and sent me on my way.
It was years later under guidance of a wig maker who encouraged me to go again and she told me to simply ask to see a dermatologist at a hospital (in UK need referral to see one) also that way I could save money on wigs..
It was too late for me though the dermatologist said she could try the injections but my alopecia had got so bad it most likely wouldn't work and be just painful.
I'm not saying they will work for you but could be worth starting and seeing before it gets too bad. But there is no cure sometimes its temporary recovery. .. I remember the steroid cream working for a short while for me...
But never know the blood tests etc may pick up some underlying issue...
Mine all came up fine so no idea what's causing mine :)

I did once find a helpful doctor mind he was the only one who made me laugh, he prescribed me (and put in my records) vitamin B, zinc, and 12 haribo gummy bears a day ;)

Good luck

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Permalink Reply by Lexi on March 22, 2014 at 8:48pm

Yes as Aimee states, it is always good to get bloodwork done to rule out a number of possible things.  And just to check on your health in general.  But, if you don't have good insurance, easier said than done about seeing a dr., dermatologist, and especially, and endocrinologist.  Yikes.  I called around for prices years ago, and I was astounded at the cost of just the first visit.  I surely could never afford something like that. And, only to walk away with no answers?  And, worse, no help?  A primary care I am sure could run blood tests to rule out anything seriously wrong that is causing hair loss.  But the tests themselves are super expensive.  If you only have patches, maybe there is some hope for taking care of them. 

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