LADIES ~ just wanted to share my experience with you all; I also lost my hair; first patches, then a general thinning all over; some grew back, but one stubborn patch on the right side of my head remained for over 24 years. I saw a specialist, who at the time thought some STESS OR SHOCK to my system caused it (as I was only in my mid-twenties; but little did he know that I had just been on a very strict diet to lose a quick twenty pounds, but he didn't ask me that).
As a teen, I was diagnosed with a mineral deficiency; so took the pills until the boils went away; life goes on; I stop taking them cuz I'm OK now, right? Fast forward twenty+ years; I have overall thinning again and that one stubborn spot the size of a toonie (or an egg) is still there. But I started what is referred to as pera-menopause, which I now know can come from the age 40-60 years old.
I come down with a bad viral flu and can't shake it; so I upped my vitamins and minerals (to twice a day, cuz of my size), which I had resumed cuz the boils had come back (and this took them away again), so I decided I'd better take these vit+min for the rest of my life). WELL, miracle of miracles, this spring, all my hair grew back in and now I have my beautiful thick mane again with no more bald spots.
Also, I just read the other day on the net that menopause also causes hair thinning (and balding in some women) as well as facial hair growth. My doc put me on METFORMIN (I also had missed many periods) and after starting the vitamins and minerals, my periods came back (not as regular though). With the MET, they are more consistent, but at times, a little heavier.
When my dose was cut down recently to 250-500 mg once a day (with dinner) as my sugars are also now good, they are starting to lighten up a bit. SORRY FOR RAMBLING ON, but that's how it all came about. My mom and sis also had hair fall out in pregnancy, and it is always rec to take vitamins + minerals for this.
As your doc says, stress and hormones can play a part, but I would try the vitamins and mineral supplements first before any meds, cuz you have been losing a lot of weight like me (CONGRATS, by the way).
Your doc sounds like a good one; ask him what he thinks; and Thanx for sharing this, as I'm sure there a many women going thru this right now (or will be in the future).
ROSEBUD