If he has a grandfather that is completely bald, it is very possible for him to start seeing diffuse thinning all over in his teen years. As one guy mentioned above, some people do start thinning that early.
Still the best bit of advice would be for you to scrap the current doctor and go see an endocrinologist who you should find out via a phone conversation beforehand, has open communication with a dermatologist, so that they can exchange notes. If the current Doctor is a dermatologist, maybe he can refer you to one. Do not take "no" for an answer. There are several tests including thyroid functions that the endo can do to rule out other causes.
If a full hormonal panel is taken and all seems in cheque, your son may just be going the way of his grandfather, or may be seeing the beginnings of another form of Alopecia. Possibly Universalis, worst case... but ... only if he is losing hair everywhere on his body. If its just on his head, not his eyebrows or body hair ... then the granfather route is probably whats happening.
In this case I would consult with the endocrinologist about the possibilities of using Propecia (this may be risky as he may not have completed puberty yet, but if this is androgentic alopecia, he very well may be done with puberty already). Some sort of preventative maintenance regimen would be in order, using a combination of antiandrogens like Propecia and growth stimulants like Rogaine and Tricomin.
Lots of guys here are completely successful in stopping some pretty severe thinning by using the clinically proven products along with some other scientifically backed ones. The sooner you rule out other causes (imbalances in his sytem that can be re-balanced with other meds), the sooner you can get him going on something that targets hair loss specifically.
If you want to print this post out and show to the endocrinologist or your current doctor, that would probably be helpful for them.
As an aside - you may want to print the hormone panel that women typically have done to rule out other causes. This is a list provided by Dr. Vera Price in San Francisco, one of the most well known womens hair loss specialists. This can work as a guide for the endocrinologist "just in case" you need it. These tests can be expensive so discuss with him ways to reduce the cost via insurance or other means. Here is the information:
Blood Tests: There are a series of tests that an educated specialist will have done on you. Without these tests, there is no way for any physician to accurately diagnose your condition. If your physician says these tests are not necessary, or refuses to do them for you, then it is advised that you find another physician to handle this situation. We cannot stress this strongly enough. You need to have these tests done, and you need a qualified specialist to review them, and your scalp, in order to get the care you need. The tests are as follows:
» Hormone levels (DHEAS, Testosterone, Androstenedione, Prolactin, Follicular Stimulating Hormone, and Leutinizing Hormone)
» Serum Iron, Serum Ferritin, TIBC (Total Iron Binding capacity)
» Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
» VDRL
» Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Clinical History: Take a moment and write down the answers to the following questions, and have them prepared for your physician's review. Again, if he or she does not request the answers to these questions, nor seem interested in the paper you've brought in, find another specialist.
» Are you on any medications? If so, what.
» How long has this problem been occurring?
» Is the hair falling out fully intact, or is it breaking?
» Family history of diabetes, asthma, arthritis, lupus, vitiligo, anemia, or Addison's disease?
» Have you recently given birth, or gone through menopause?
Good luck and please keep us informed. You will need ongoing information in the event that it is a typical hair loss situation.
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