Hi everyone,
I am new to this site and I am hoping to learn more about Alopecia and hair loss in general. The last 2 years I have been losing my hair at a very rapid rate. It all started when I got hair extensions in October of 2009. I (a Caucasian) had them braided into my head (something I kick myself in the butt for everyday) and I endured the pain for 3 weeks and finally removed them and had massive hair loss. I thought it wasn't a big deal until my hair kept falling out and it hasn't grown back since. I have been to 2 dermatologist - the 1st one said I just had thin hair. I went to a 2nd dermatologist and at first she thought I had a tumor or hormonal problems because she said I had female pattern baldness and being that I am only 36 - it was very odd. So I went for a lot of special blood work (hormones, iron, etc.) a few thousand dollars worth and everything came back spectacular. So they called me in this week and the doctor came in and said something wasn't right. He ran his fingers through my hair (that I just washed) and said that telogen hairs were falling out and that shouldn't be. So he checked the hair all over my body and told his PA that he thought I had a late onset of Alopecia Totalis Universalis and a chronic Telogen Efluvium. Huh?? We are confirming this diagnosis through a scalp biopsy next month, but can this really happen in my 30s? My hair is very fine and thin... I shave my legs once a week and wax my eyebrows once a year (if that), but I just thought I wasn't a hairy person.

So the day of my possible diagnosis I was supposed to get a caucasion system of hair extensions to try out for my wedding day (happening in April) because every bride wants to have long luxurious hair - so I had to cancel in fear that the chronic telogen efluvium phase paired up with some additional hair would equal an even balder bride.

So this is me... on here to try and figure things out. Right now I have thinning all over - so thin I can't even wear a pony tail anymore, but I know I shouldn't complain because I still have some hair.

Any advice?