I [26F] feel exhausted trying to chase down the reason for my hair loss & acne. I never had acne growing up or as a teenager.
Then comes this January. The only difference in my lifestyle is that I switched from high intensity cardio (3 days a week) to low-intensity cardio (like walking) due to an old injury that still needs to heal, along with starting to do weight training (2 days a week).
And then suddenly get acne all across my jaw & my ears. While it has significantly reduced since January, I still have dark spots & some occasional ones popping up before my period. I also have increased hair loss now. Each time I comb my hair, so many strands keep falling. Idk if it has thinned as well, but I suspect this is the case.
I tested low on iron & vitamin D last year, so I started taking supplements. This year, I got a blood panel done this February, and all my levels turned out normal (including Vit D & Iron).
I'm going to do another one next week as sanity.
I tried looking online and saw that it could be because I have increased androgen levels.
I've begged doctors to see if I can do hormone testing, but they keep referring me to the next person, and then they say they can't do it either. First the PCP to add it as part of my annual physical, then the women's clinic who referred me to the derm, and finally the derm who just said "take spironolactone" without adding it to my bloodwork. I saw the side effects, and I'm concerned because my periods are very regular (once a month, 4-5 days, very mild cramps) and I'm concerned about being anemic because of the frequency of periods / blood loss with it.
I'm at a loss. I never had these issues before. Does anyone have any advice? Should I just take the spironolactone and hope for the best that my cycle doesn't get messed up? Or should I really push someone to get my hormones tested and see where I can take it from there?
Please advise. Thank you!