Genetic Test for Women’s Hair Loss
On April 23, 2008, HairDX, LLC issued a press release announcing the launch of commercial testing for female hair loss. Their breakthrough test uses genetic markers associated with Female Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA) to determine the chances of whether a woman is likely to suffer with future hair loss.
According to HairDX, AGA (female baldness) “has been difficult to diagnose because women don’t develop a pattern like men do, they tend to thin diffusely, and there are many causes for thinning.”
By age 50, approximately 50% of women will experience thinning that can lead to hair loss and baldness. JAAPA, a peer-reviewed clinical journal for the American Academy of Physician Assistants states that this estimate is conservative at best. According to The American Hair Loss Association, Androgenetic Alopecia in women is a neglected epidemic that is nearly as common as male pattern hair loss.
The HairDX test is simple and painless. It involves swabbing the inside of the mouth, then sending the swab to the HairDX lab. Results are confidential, anonymous, and sent via a secure web site.
Each woman who participates in testing will be provided with results in the form of a score. Higher scores indicate a lower chance for succumbing to significant hair loss due to heredity. A lower score indicates greater likelihood for future hair loss.
According to Spencer Kobren, Founder of The American Hair Loss Association,
early diagnosis is one of the most critical factors in preventing further hair loss, which is why this test is revolutionary. Preventing hair loss is far more attainable than reversing its effects. While effective treatments to combat female pattern hair loss are available, early intervention is critical successful treatment.
Dr. Sharon Keene, who is the Chief Medical Officer for HairDX says, “Helping women assess their risk for Female Hair Loss early in the course of their hair loss enables them to learn about potential treatment options and how they may prevent further hair loss.”
Visit the HairDX website at www.hairdx.com to learn more about the test and to order a swab kit. The test costs $149.
Technorati Tags: American Hair Loss Association, androgenetic alopecia, genetic hair loss test, hairdx, spencer kobren, womens hair lossWomen’s Hair Loss: From Stress to Placebo Treatment
In a recent article, the Kalamazoo Gazette reported the story of Sheree Kleinhuizen, who was experiencing significant hair loss and growing concerned over the amount of hair that she was losing on a daily basis.
Sheree collected the hair in plastic baggies and brought them to her doctor, but she was told that her hair loss was caused by stress and would cease in a few months’ time. When her hair loss did not abate, Sheree went to see a hair care professional, who sold her a “medicated” hair loss product called Therapro.
Although the lost hair did not grow back, Sheree did stop experiencing any further hair loss. However, it is unclear whether her use of Therapro truly affected Sheree’s hair loss in any way.
Spencer Kobren, founder of the American Hair Loss Association, doubts that Therapro is a valid treatment:
“There is nothing in those products that can stop hair loss or will regrow hair,” said Kobren, whose own hair-loss concerns led him to start the organization. “There is definitely a placebo effect, and it can be coincidental.”
Jennifer Williford, who works as a physician’s assistant at Southwest Michigan Dermatology, supports the notion that Therapro may have had a placebo effect for Sheree. Although Williford wasn’t familiar with Therapro, she explained that patients often mention products that supposedly stop or reverse hair loss. Many such products are based on herbal remedies.
There is a good chance that Sheree Kleinhuizen’s hair loss ceased due to a placebo effect of the product she was sold. It’s also possible that her hair loss was truly stress related and when her stress eased, so did her hair loss.
The only FDA-approved hair loss products for treating hereditary hair loss are Rogaine and Propecia. Rogaine is an external treatment used by both men and women. Propecia, which is a pill, is only approved for use by men.
Spencer Kobren also noted that hair loss is a $3.5 billion industry and that “Ninety-nine percent of products and services that claim to help with hair loss (or) prevention are bogus, questionable at best.”
Read the full article
Medical Breakthrough: DNA Testing for Hair Loss
A new DNA test can help determine the likelihood for future hair loss. According to a recent article at the Chicago Sun-Times, the test can help hair loss sufferers get a handle on hair loss before it begins:
The test, called HairDX, looks for a genetic variant found in most bald men. Men who test positive for the variant have a 60 percent chance of going bald by age 40, according to the company that offers it, also called HairDX, which says the test also identifies a less-common variant of the same gene that, if present, means a man has an 85 percent chance of not going bald.
While science is still in the early stages of understanding hair loss genes, HairDX is offering the first test that identifies a gene called the androgen receptor. This gene has been closely associated with hair loss and may be a predetermining factor in assessing the likelihood for hair loss.
Even though the test is not 100 percent conclusive, it can be helpful in terms of prevention. One of the key components in minimizing hair loss is early treatment. Individuals who are concerned about possible hair loss can use the test results to start making decisions and working with a certified physician to determine an effective course of treatment. Because prevention is proven to be more successful that trying to regrow hair, early detection is significant and beneficial for treating hair loss.
HairDx’s genetic test is approved by The American Hair Loss Association. Spencer Kobren, Founder of The American Hair Loss Association says, “HairDX’s genetic test for the onset of early male pattern baldness is an important breakthrough in the fight against hair loss.”
The test, which is available online at www.hairdx.com, costs $149. Individuals who sign up for the test will take a swab from inside the cheek and send to the HairDX lab. Results will be returned in just three to four weeks.
You can read the full Chicago Sun-Times article at the following URL: http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/health/870638,CST-NWS-bald01.article
Technorati Tags: American Hair Loss Association, chicago sun times, genetic test for hair loss, hair loss, hairdx, spencer kobrenI’m 25 And Losing My Hair, Looking For An Inexpensive Hair Loss Treatment
Hello, my name is J.Freeman. I am 25 years old and have been noticing hair loss for approximately a year. I do not have insurance and cannot afford Propecia treatments. I am also concerned about the side affect that come along with it. I was hoping to get information on a inexpensive hair growth regimen.
Dear J,
The truth is, if you are contending with androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss) your first line of attack should always be to take the hormonal route. Propecia is an extremely effective drug that stops or slows the progression of hair loss in the vast majority of men who use it. There is also a relatively large percetage of men who receive significant cosmetically appreciable regrowth. By not using this incredibly effective treatment, it is my opinion that you are doing yourself a great disservice. Just so you know, insurance does not cover Propecia, so even if you had good health coverage you would still be responsible for paying for it out of pocket.
With that said, in most parts of the country, Propecia will cost approximately $55 / month. If your hair loss concerns you to the point where you seeking treatment, it would be my suggestion to perhaps forgo a dinner out once a month so that you can afford this relatively inexpensive treatment.
If this is absolutely out of the question then you could aways give generic minoxidil a try. Generic minoxidil cost approximately $20 / month. Whatever you do, do not waste your hard earned money on any of the countless, questionable hair loss products you see being advertised on the internet, late night television infomercials, or on the radio.
As far as your concern for the side effects of Propecia, any reported side effects occurred in less than 2% of those patients taking the drug during clinical trials. If for some reason you were to experience any adverse side effects you could always stop taking the medication. It is also important to note that approximately 60% of those that did experience side effects only experienced them temporarily, and were able to continue taking the medication.
I wish there were more hair loss treatment options available, unfortunately the above mentioned are the only two FDA approved hair loss treatments. If you haven’t already consulted with a physician, it is imperative to receive a professional medical diagnosis before considering either of the two treatments I suggested.
Hope this helps.
Spencer Kobren
Founder, American Hair Loss Association
Spencer Kobren Speaks Candidly About Hair Loss And The Hair Loss Industry
The American Hair Loss Association blog was created to help further empower hair loss sufferers with up to the minute hair loss information, commentary, and critique of everything and anything hair loss. As the founder of the AHLA I also think it’s important that I share my personal thoughts with everyone seeking help from our organization. This is why I’ve decided to begin making personal entries on the AHLA blog.
What I will provide is the truth about this neglected epidemic, and about an industry that, in my opinion, has mislead, taken advantage of , and in many cases disfigured vulnerable hair loss sufferers for decades.
The American Hair Loss Association has effected real change over the years but the truth is that we have only scratched the surface. We are competing with a $3.5 billion industry that thrives on the ignorance and naiveté of desperate people in need. The lack of control we experience as hair loss sufferers only fuels our desperation to find a “solution” to our problem. We are anxious to feel whole again so we will try anything, buy anything, or subscribe to anything if presented as a real solution that might end our pain.
There are some hair loss sufferers who are better equipped to deal with their hair loss than many of us are..I wish I was one of them. For me beginning my hair loss journey at the age of 22 took a major toll. However what I have leaned over the years as a result of my early onset Male Pattern Baldness has made me a better and stronger person and has given me the opportunity to touch many lives, and for this I am thankful.
I just want all of you to know that you are not alone in this. The AHLA was founded to provide a safe place for hair loss sufferers to find completely objective and accurate information about all things hair loss and the hair loss industry.
I’ll be posting an a regular basis so stay tuned…
Spencer Kobren
Technorati Tags: AHLA, American Hair Loss Association, hair loss, hair loss industry, hairloss, spencer kobren, spencerkobren, the bald truth