Desperately Seeking Gudiance
I just wanted to share my experience and get some input from others who might be going through something similar.
I (23 F) have been going through a battle with suspected TE. Around October 2025 I noticed in the shower that I could see my entire scalp. I am an individual who has had thick curly hair my entire life, to this was extremely distressing to see.
Following, I noticed a change in texture my hair was frizzier than usual, none of my usual curly hair routine was helping and I was at a loss for what could be going on.
2025 was a hard year for me. I graduated college with a stressful thesis, and then had a depressive episode while struggling to find a job, switching birth control, etc.
In September of 2025 I got a new job, had to uproot my life and move to a new city, etc.
Then in November of 2025 I went through a bad break up and lost my job.
All this to say, I struggled immensely and seeing so much hair shed in the shower, styling, or even touching my hair was not helping.
Throughout early 2026 I started to stabilize. I went to some doctors all who said this was common TE but now I’m starting to have my doubts.
March 2026 I started topical minoxidil 5% and had some testing done to show that my cortisol was way above average and that I might be borderline for hypothyroidism (runs on my mom’s side of the family so that wasn’t a surprise).
Present day I seem to be going through an increase in shedding once again. With some shorter finer hairs in the mix.
My mother also recently got diagnosed with AGA, and now I’m worried my TE could be unmasking. I’m waiting on getting a scalp biopsy later this month but I wanted to know what everyone else thinks. I’ve attached some photos.
Does this look like it could be TE with AGA or is this just normal TE? And does it look like the minoxidil is doing anything? I have been noticing a bunch of new short hairs coming in with tapered ends but I can’t tell if this is normal growth or miniaturization.
Sorry, sort of a long post but yeah. I’m just looking for someone to be straight up with me.