ABSTRACT

Telogen effluvium (TE) together with female pattern hair loss is the most common diagnosis in women in the everyday hair clinic. TE is characterized by abrupt shedding of hair on the entire scalp as a result of an early, synchronous entry of hair follicles into the telogen phase. TE can be caused by numerous trigger factors and systemic disturbances such as fever, childbirth, crash diets, thyroid dysfunction, iron deficiency, prolonged anesthesia, chronic illness, and psychological stress/trauma. The determination of possible causes of TE can be tedious and time consuming. Women with TE are often most concerned about complete baldness. Laboratory testing for ferritin and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is recommended, as iron deficiency and hypothyroidism are the most common metabolic causes of TE in women. TSH levels may fluctuate but are usually elevated, with normal or reduced thyroid hormone levels. Women with TE can lose more than 300 hairs per day.