Hair loss - so worried and scared. Anyone with any experience of this or suggestions? Desperate!

[MrEzraGoldberg]

Another shower and another huge amount of hair fallen out. I'm so worries about this - been going on for a while but has gone crazy over the last few months. Iron levels fine (100) though want to get up to 150, thyroid tests all fine.

Anyone have any ideas what might be going on here, or similar experiences? GP says hair loss does occur and seems unconcerned. At my suggestion he has referred me to a dermatologist.

I'm 50, not yet menopausal, and tried HRT over a year ago and because my hair fell out even more, had to stop it.

It's so depressing and on my mind all the time.

m0therofdragons - what would be listed on the ingredients list for salicylate? Would it just be that, or are there other names?

I went out today with no concealers on my hair, no Toppik, no root cover sprays, no brown scalp colouring in pencil. My thinning hair was visible at the back (I always check the back view) but figured maybe my scalp needed a rest, and to breathe.

I take Feroglobin gentle iron capsules as well as my Levothyroxine. I am only on 50mcg levothyroxine at the moment as I am newly diagnosed, my GP has told me that he will build it up gradually every month over around 6 months with monthly blood tests. Once he has found the right level I will have 3 monthly blood tests for the first year, then 6 monthly for another year & if it is still stable just one test a year after that.

I would definitely go to GP and insist upon a referral to a specialist dermatologist (don’t let them minimize it because any medications or vitamin supplement is going to take a minimum 6 months before you know if it’s working or not. If you take more than one, and you get positive results, you don’t know what is working, etc....) Plus - you want a diagnosis.

Re the selenium, the GP did a vitamin and mineral blood test once more common issues had been ruled out.

Does anyone know how I would get to see a dermatologist that specialises in hair/scalp problems? The GP seemed reluctant even to refer me to a dermatologist. Certainly he didn't suggest a specialist one. I find some GPs are more helpful that others, so will try a different one, but am wondering how best to present my case.

Apparently my scalp looked red in places. Gp could see hair follicles too so regrowth was possible. Some people get plaques as well. I couldn't see those but dh found one.

Good luck. It's massively stressful. Mine has definitely stabilised though.

Thanks tilder - reassuring to know your hair loss has stabilised. Hoping the referral to dermatologist come through in january - head is burning less for the past week or so, but not resting on my laurels.