Adaeze had been blaming stress for 2 years of crown thinning. Mascot Healthcare ran targeted blood tests, confirmed female pattern hair loss, corrected her ferritin deficiency, and started a treatment combination that halted her hair loss within 3 months.
Architect. Presented with 2-year progressive thinning of hair at the crown and hairline — with widening central part. Trichoscopy showed miniaturised follicles. Ferritin mildly low. TSH normal. Testosterone normal. FPHL pattern confirmed.
Female Pattern Hair Loss (Androgenetic Alopecia)Adaeze had noticed the change in photographs from 2 years ago — the part at the crown was wider, the hair volume lower. She had attributed it to the stress of her architecture firm's busiest period. She started taking a biotin supplement (recommended by a colleague). She bought expensive shampoos. She stayed at least 3 months with each product "giving it time."
At Mascot Healthcare, the doctor performed a targeted clinical examination and trichoscopy — a handheld magnifying device showing the scalp and follicle pattern. The miniaturised, thin follicles in a Xmas-tree distribution at the crown were diagnostic of FPHL.
Blood tests added the key contribution: ferritin was only 12 ng/mL — significantly below the level needed for optimal hair follicle cycling. Low ferritin does not cause FPHL but dramatically worsens it.
Female pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) is the most common cause of hair loss in women — characterised by diffuse thinning at the crown with a widening central part, while the frontal hairline is largely preserved.
Visible thinning at the vertex and widening of the central hair part — more obvious on photographs comparing 2 years ago.
More hair on the pillow, shower drain, and hairbrush than before — but distributed loss, not patchy.
The frontal hairline was intact — distinguishing female pattern from other hair loss types.
No itching, redness, or scaling — excluding inflammatory alopecia.
Serum ferritin 12 ng/mL — below the > 50 ng/mL threshold optimal for hair growth.
Biotin 5 mg daily — no evidence of benefit for hair loss when biotin is not deficient.
Multiple premium shampoos (anti-hair loss formulations) — no clinical evidence of meaningful effect on FPHL.
Collagen powder supplements — no clinical evidence for FPHL.
Stress management — appropriate for general health; stress causes telogen effluvium (different condition), not androgenetic alopecia.
Iron supplementation, with vitamin C to aid absorption — target ferritin > 50 ng/mL.
A topical scalp treatment applied daily — the only topical treatment with strong clinical evidence for FPHL; slows shedding and stimulates regrowth over 3–6 months.
An oral medication that blocks the effect of androgens at the hair follicle — evidence-based for female pattern hair loss in women who tolerate it. Monthly blood pressure monitoring and electrolytes for first 3 months.
Female Pattern Hair Loss (Androgenetic Alopecia) — trichoscopy-confirmed miniaturisation; concurrent ferritin deficiency (12 ng/mL)
Iron supplementation; a daily topical scalp treatment; an oral anti-androgen medication; repeat ferritin and trichoscopy at 6 months
At 3 months: shedding significantly reduced; Adaeze reports hairbrush and pillow substantially clearer. At 6 months: ferritin 56 ng/mL; trichoscopy shows less miniaturisation; visible improvement at crown.
At 6 months, shedding is controlled and crown density visibly improved on serial photographs. Adaeze continues the regimen with confidence.
Female pattern hair loss is the most common hair loss diagnosis in women — and one of the most under-treated. Biotin and shampoo do not address the androgenetic mechanism. Proper medical treatment does.
Ferritin deficiency is a key modifiable factor that worsens hair loss. Any woman with hair loss should have ferritin measured alongside thyroid function and androgens.
Hair thinning at the crown in women is most likely FPHL — not stress. The right treatment and blood tests make a real difference.
Book an appointment at Mascot Healthcare, Akoka — same-day slots often available, 4.9★ rated.