Questions Your Doctor May Ask - and Why!
During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques in his assesment of the symptom: Baldness.
These may include a physical examination or other medical tests.
Your doctor may ask several questions when assessing
your condition. It is important to remember that your consultation is a two-way process and any extra information
you can share with your doctor may help them with their diagnosis.
Some of the questions your doctor may ask are listed below:
- Is baldness focal or diffuse?
- If focal , is there a rash in the area of hair loss?
Why: if a rash is present , consider tinea capitus, lupus erythematosus, psoriasis , seborrheic dermatitis.
- Is baldness , male pattern baldness i.e. temporal hair recession or frontal thinning in males , crown thinning in females
- Is there a family history of male pattern baldness?
Why: polygenic or autosomal dominant inheritance in males.
- Medication?
Why: anticoagulant drug therapy , cancer chemotherapy.
Questions your doctor may ask about related symptoms:
Sometimes, other symptoms may be present and may help your doctor analyse
your condition. These may include:
- Rash?
Why: if baldness is focal and rash is present , consider tinea capitis, lupus erythematosus, psoriasis , seborrhoeic dermatitis. If baldness is focal and there is no rash, consider alopecia areata, syphilis, burns, skin injury.
- Symptoms of androgen excess in women with male pattern baldness?
Why: e.g. acne , hirsuitism , irregular periods.
- Symptoms of hypothyroidism?
Why: e.g. constipation, cold intolerance, lethargy, husky voice , facial puffiness , weight gain, mental slowing - can cause diffuse loss of hair.
- Symptoms of hyperthyroidism?
Why: e.g. loose bowel motions , heat intolerance , sweating of hands , muscle weakness , increased appetite , weight loss, anxiety, palpitations, tremor - can cause diffuse hair loss.
- Symptoms of hypopituitarism?
Why: including symptoms of hypothyroidism and adrenal insufficiency and symptoms suggestive of a pituitary tumor - can cause diffuse hair loss.
» Next page: Types of Baldness
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