Hair fall, thinning on crown, and

Hi Doctor, I'm a 24-year-old male experiencing noticeable hair fall over the past few months. I've noticed my hair on the crown/top area looks thinner and finer compared to the sides, and my hairline also seems to be receding slightly at the temples. I want to understand if this is early pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) or just seasonal/stress-related shedding. A few details: Hair fall has been ongoing for a few months No major illness, but I have been under academic/work stress recently I haven't had any blood tests done yet (thinking of checking ferritin, vitamin D, B12, thyroid) I currently oil my hair occasionally and use a mild hair fall shampoo, but no active treatment like minoxidil yet My questions: Based on this, does it sound more like pattern hair loss or diffuse shedding from stress/deficiency? Should I get the blood tests done before starting anything? Is it safe to start minoxidil (2% or 5%) without an in-person exam, or would you recommend seeing a dermatologist