Differential Diagnosis for 37 YOF with Thinning of Hair and Increased Hair Loss

• Single Most Likely Diagnosis
  • Androgenetic Alopecia (Female Pattern Hair Loss): This is the most common cause of hair loss in women, characterized by thinning of hair over the mid-frontal scalp, often due to hormonal influences and genetic predisposition.
• Other Likely Diagnoses
  • Telogen Effluvium: A condition that can be triggered by stress, medication, or hormonal changes, leading to an increase in the number of hair follicles that stop growing and enter the resting phase, resulting in excessive hair shedding.
  • Alopecia Areata: An autoimmune condition that causes patchy hair loss, which can sometimes progress to more extensive hair loss.
  • Thyroid Disorders (Hypothyroidism or Hyperthyroidism): Both underactive and overactive thyroid glands can lead to hair loss among other symptoms.
  • Nutritional Deficiencies (Iron, Zinc, Biotin): Deficiencies in these nutrients are known to contribute to hair loss.
• Do Not Miss Diagnoses
  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): An autoimmune disease that can cause hair loss, among a wide range of other symptoms, and requires early diagnosis and treatment to prevent serious complications.
  • Cancer (including Chemotherapy-induced Alopecia): Certain cancers and their treatments can lead to significant hair loss.
  • Syphilis (Secondary): A sexually transmitted infection that can cause hair loss in its secondary stage, along with other systemic symptoms.
• Rare Diagnoses
  • Trichotillomania: A psychological disorder characterized by an irresistible urge to pull out one's own hair, leading to noticeable hair loss.
  • Tinea Capitis (Ringworm of the Scalp): A fungal infection that can cause hair loss, usually accompanied by other symptoms like itching and redness of the scalp.
  • Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: A rare condition characterized by hair loss and scarring on the scalp, typically affecting postmenopausal women.
  • Lichen Planopilaris: An inflammatory condition that leads to hair loss, often accompanied by itching, redness, and the presence of scarring on the scalp.