Hairloss - help!

[TheSpottedZebra]

Just that really. I've always had very thick, healthy hair - it's literally the only thing I like / am confident about, looks - wise. But suddenly it's all falling out, and I don't know why, and it's really upsetting me.

I'm 37, youngest child 5, no peri menopausal symptoms that I've noticed. I've lost weight recently but by cutting out rubbish, ie I am still eating a healthy balanced diet and am by no means underweight. I'm probably verging on the stressed /depressed side of things at the mo - could that have anything to do with it.

Not really sure what I am asking,I guess any thoughts as to why my hair might be falling out and how to stop it? It's not so thin that it is noticeably thin hair to others, but I am losing handfuls a day so it soon will be, alas.

[Naicecuppatea]

I am in the same boat I'm afraid. In your case it may be the effects of weight loss (very likely I think) and possibly stress too. If you are losing handfuls google telogen effluvium. It is hair loss followed by a shock to the body. Did you start your diet around 3 months ago? that is usually the time frame for hair to start to react.

It will sort itself out if this is the cause so don't worry!

[TheSpottedZebra]

Yes, I started weight loss about 3.5 to 4 months ago! Yikes. It wasn't a strict diet!!
Thanks for your reply, your comment that it should sort itself out made me pathetically happy.
After Googling, it also said that vit d and iron might be implicated. I've just started supplementing them actually. I take iron at the time of my period anyway as I do go anaemic, and vit d I think is good for me in winter.

Do you know why it's happening to you?

I am surprised at how emotional I feel about my hair loss- have you found the same?

[mrsrhodgilbert]

This happened to me about 5 years ago and I discovered my iron levels were ridiculously low. I needed to take supplements for about 12 months to get back to a decent level, then my air started to grow again. I really recommend a trip to your gp. I found it very upsetting too.

[Hedgehogsbuzz1]

I had this for 2 years while on the pill Yasmeen. It took me a while to realise it was the pills fault and after stopping it took 3 months to stop shredding.

There has been some research that notes that women with low iron reserves are more prone to hair loss. My ferritin Levels were 13, which the GP said was on the low end of fine. I've read it needs to be 50/70 for hair. I took ferris sulphate daily with vitamin c.

Regaine might be useful too? Buy from amazon/boots

Are you getting enough sunlight? If not use vitamin d3. The soft gel pills are best absorbed.

Nizeral shampoo too


Can you take a nail/hair vitamin supplement?

[Hedgehogsbuzz1]

If it is your iron levels make sure you read up on how to take the tablets. Caffeine, eggs and grains all stop absorption

[Hedgehogsbuzz1]

Gp will also need to check your thyroid

[TheSpottedZebra]

Do you just go to docs and ask for an iron check? I'm taking Ferroglobin at the mo - the liquid. So not especially strong.

[TheSpottedZebra]

Have just started taking D3 as well. I went from spending lots of time outside over the simms, to hardly getting any sunlight.

Thyroid quite interesting too as my eyes are (suddenly) freakishly dry, asking has suddenly gone quite dry too, more than the usual central heating type of dry. Hmm...

[TheSpottedZebra]

Skin not asking.

[VerucaInTheNutRoom]

I agree re: iron supplements. I seem to lose more hair (not handfuls but enough to annoy me and warrant regular hoovering) when I'm not taking extra iron.

[Hedgehogsbuzz1]

Ask your go for both thyroid and ferritin level blood test

[Hedgehogsbuzz1]

Gp not go

[Hedgehogsbuzz1]

I think there are two types of iron test but you need ferritin (iron stores) level checked. Ring up for the exact score because the Gp might say its fine but you need it to be above 50 minimum or 70 ideally.

I use ferrous sulphate for iron pills two or three times a day initially. Now I just take one a day. Taken properly it's very effective. I found standard iron tablets and more herbal iron liquids less effective.

[Hedgehogsbuzz1]

Are your D3 pills tablets or gels?

The other thing I found was that I lost more hair at the time of the month.

Really relate to it being heart breaking. I know it's only hair but it was awful to have it falling out in clumps in the shower. Finding my hair everywhere too.

Are you on the pill?

[Hedgehogsbuzz1]

You could also ask your GP to test your D vitamin levels. If there's a test for it?

[Naicecuppatea]

Spotted I've been told mine is hereditary which is the worst type as it doesn't usually recover. And yes, it has been absolutely awful, very upsetting. So I can completely relate.

Lots of good comments here about vit D and iron which will help your hair recover, and a healthy diet!

[TheSpottedZebra]

Not on the pill, no.
And my D3 is tablets, should I switch to gelcap thingy?

Naice did you have other things ruled out before you were told that yours is hereditary? My mum's hair thinned, but my older sister's has not, so if mine is that type I'll be gutted.

My hair was The One Thing I had going for me! And now it's mostly in the hoover or being pulled out of the shower tray.

[TheSpottedZebra]

And I should have also said thank you for all the helpful replies there. Am I losing my manners along with my hair?

[Naicecuppatea]

I don't think it matters what type of D3 you have. Yes, I had all my blood tests done and everything is ruled out. My mum's hair has also thinned, although it has happened a lot later with her than with me. From the sounds of it though, yours is due to your diet, so don't worry!

[mrsrhodgilbert]

I was referred to two dermatologists about my hair loss, the second was a real specialist. Despite my low iron, both said it was probably hereditary. However, I persevered with the iron tablets and things definitely improved. It took a couple of years to really see things getting back to near normal, so patience us required. My daughter,21, is suffering from the same thing. She did have very low iron but also had an incredibly stressful year. She has taken iron tablets for over a year now and her newly grown hair is about 4 inches long now, much shorter than the rest but its coming.

Definitely agree about insisting on getting the actual figures when you get your blood test back, don't put up with the receptionist telling you it's within the normal range. At our practice you have to speak to the practice nurse to give you the information. Above about 70 seems to be required for hair growth.

[missmartha]

My doctor just said my bloods were fine. No numbers, so will ask him. He also said that most hair loss was heredity and that heaps of women suffer from it, there is no cure and if there was vast fortunes would be made.

I asked my hairdresser who also confirmed that loads of women come to him with hair loss. He said they are usually very embarrassed, but really no need to be, as not having a good cut and a professional colour (I have highlights that give the illusion of depth and texture) just makes people feel worse.

I tend to agree with him, but must get back to the doctor.

[Littlepeahead]

My first post on mumsnet and I'm not even a mum, but I am losing my hair. I've recently been treated for giardia, a parasitic intestine illness and I've dropped from 9st to 7st10 quite quickly. The disease itself doesn't cause hair loss but I'm wondering if the weight loss is the cause, I got giardia in late August and my body hasn't been absorbing many nutrients for months.

[Hedgehogsbuzz1]

Gel caps D3 are more absorbable

[Hedgehogsbuzz1]

My GP didn't know that iron needed to be above 70 either, so assumed I was ok

[TheSpottedZebra]

So trying to get a blood test did not go well! I spoke to the receptionist (was also wanting to talk to dr about possible depression...) and mentioned hair loss and blood test. She told me hairloss is normal, the NHS is not there for things like that. So I did the sensible thing and cried and hung up.