HELP!! Thinning hair

[sulee]

I first noticed a few weeks ago that my hair (always fine) was going really thin, particularly at the front, although It's not falling out by the handful as far as I can see. In desperation, I have been using Minoxidil and the Aveda Invati regime. The texture seems to have changed too and it's gone from quite oily to very dry, so I have stopped colouring it and have been using PK Elasticizer, upping the conditioner and using as little heat as possible for styling. I am also taking supplements. I know all these things can take months to make a difference and I am also seeing my GP next week to rule see if it is hormone or thyroid related , but I am feeling really desperate and wondering if anyone else has anything to share....

[JimineyJelickers]

Didn't want to leave your thread unanswered. This male pattern baldness (thinning at the front) happened to me after a stressful event last year. I had the full barrage of tests but everything was OK, the doctor just put it down to stress.

If you get the all clear from the doctor that its not a thyroid / autoimmune problem then I recommend the Perfektil hair, skin and nails supplements from Boots. I've been taking them for a few months and my hair is finally starting to grow back again.

Hope everything goes well for you. It's horrible and scary to see more of your scalp every day.

[rightknockered]

I had this. A couple of very stressful years involving family death, divorce, losing my dog, and I could definitely see my scalp a little just above my forehead. I would wash my hair in the shower and have to clear the plug hole of hair during my shower there was so much loss.
I started taking nourikin, and the hair loss stopped. I upped my iron, and general nutrition and I can finally say my hair is looking almost normal again. I could feel the cold hair sometimes on my scalp, but can't at all anymore. There is definitely new hair growing to fill in the gaps.

[sulee]

Thanks both, gives me hope! I have been studying people recently when out and about, and I've noticed lots of women have this problem. I will wait to see if the GP finds any medical issues and try a course of specific hair supplements.

[squoosh]

Make sure your GP tests your ferritin levels. You may be suffering an iron deficiency.

[pollyblack]

I could have written your post word for word last year, i was so worried and paranoid about it. My tests came back normal. In the end i think it was down to stress as i had a dreadful year. I did try invati too, but that made my hair sooo dry and the cost of ling term use was prohibitive.

I take loads of supplements (in particular biotin, evening primrose, iron).

The hair started growing in a few months later- i have short fluffy baby hair at the edges now and its growing in. I use organic shampoo, conditioner and dry shampoo (klorane is good).

Mean time i discovered Nanogen in boots, its thickening fibres you tap in to the roots of your hair and really good for volume and covering sparse patches. It is expensive but it lasts for ages.

Hope you find something that works for you.

[Coldtoeswarmheart]

I have a Dermatology appointment next week for exactly this problem (GP referred me after my bloods came back normal). If they suggest anything interesting I'll come back to update.

[sulee]

Thanks Sqoosh, will ask for iron level test too. I am finding Invati really drying too Polly- that can't be good, surely? Funnily enough, I bought the Nanogen fibres today and am really impressed! Please keep me posted if you have any more ideas Coldtoes. I am finding this really upsetting, it has come out of the blue- I am not particularly stressed at the moment as far as I am aware and as luck would have it, have a big family wedding coming up this month so the timing is rubbish, if, as I suspect, it's a long-term solution.

[BabyKiwi1]

If it is general thinning and recession at the front it is likely to be androgenetic alopecia. Make sure you are using 5% minoxidil (pharmacies are only supposed to sell 2% strength to women but it is not as effective). It is worth having bloods checked for thyroid, iron, sex hormone profile and vitamin D. Some women with this condition try spironolactone along with minoxidil.
dermnetnz.mobify.me/hair-nails-sweat/female-pattern-hairloss.html

[sulee]

Thanks babykiwi1. The minoxidil I have is only 2%, so I will try the 5% next time and will have a look at spironolactone.

[Coldtoeswarmheart]

Dermatology appointment today. I have androgenetic alopecia and so am starting a 3 month trial of 5% Minoxidil. If it doesn't work I can be referred to an NHS wig/ hairpiece specialist. Bit startling, but what I was expecting really.

[sulee]

Fingers crossed for the 5% Minoxidil Coldtoes! I had blood test results today and I am low on iron, cause unknown so having further tests. I am now taking an iron supplement and going to up the iron in my diet too, as I have been dieting- fairly healthily I thought, but maybe not...

[Coldtoeswarmheart]

Fingers crossed that fixes it for you, OP. Am going to start using the foam tonight.

[Coldtoeswarmheart]

BTW regarding stress, dermatologist dismissed it as a potential cause. I had a rough year just before the hair loss started and I thought it might be relevant, but apparently not.

[Coldtoeswarmheart]

OP, are you using the foam - if so, are you applying it once or twice a day? I'm not sure which to do

[sulee]

Am using 2% Minoxidil Coldtoes- liquid not foam, using it twice a day, but I have since been told using 5% once a day would be better. Interesting that stress was ruled out by your dermatologist as I don't think that is a factor for me- I can't say I have much stress in my life at the moment- apart from hair loss that is!

[Pisssssedofff]

Hair Extentions ruined mine, it's never been the same since I had them.

[Pisssssedofff]

God I've had them all over the years lol
Great lengths, £800
Tapes, weaves, micro beads, micro wefts.
The first one was the start of a slippery slope my hair was never the same after the sewen in ones and they bloody hurt too.
I don't care what any one say they damage your hair and even the most expensive ones look like rats tails unless you have a professional blow dry every week .... And don't let the shampoo girl like them up on top of your head .... Literally took an hour to untangle that mess

[Spandexpants007]

Ask for your actual ferritin (iron) level. The Gp will say 12 is low but in the ok range. However it needs to be 50 to stop fallout and 70 for regrowth. There was a study which showed that a high percentage of women with thinning hair had lower iron levels

[Spandexpants007]

It's cheaper to buy ferrous sulphate over the counter then get a prescription. Take with vitamin c and avoid grains/coffee for an hour before and after

[Coldtoeswarmheart]

If the thinning is on the crown, extensions aren't going to be any use.

[Coldtoeswarmheart]

And the causes of hair loss you list - diet, illness, medication side-effects - are likely to spontaneously resolve anyway when the cause disappears.

[yazzy85]

I have the same thing too GP dismissed it as being due to stress and after I insisted he had my bloods done but they came back clear so I am back at square one. I've started taking Boots own brand skin, hair and nail vitamins hoping that will help.