Please recommend me some supplements for hair loss

[BadMoon]

Help! I could really do with some advice on vitamins/supplements that could help with hair loss. My hair has recently got very thin - handfuls come out when I wash it and there is now a noticeable patch missing at the front.

I have fibroids and heavy periods and as a result very low ferritin. In December it was at 6 - I have been taking Ferrograd (ferrous sulfate) and managed to raise my levels to 26 by the beginning of March. However, I know that it needs to be at 70-100 to help proper regrowth - I'm still taking it religiously.

I initially made a lot of positive changes to my diet - nuts, seeds, green veg, red meat etc. However, when my blood tests for iron etc came back they found that there may be an issue with my kidneys. I am waiting for a referral to a specialist to come through, but given the current situation I don't expect any thing any time soon. My kidney filtration rate is low (55). Having done some research, I realise that a lot of the things I have been eating (green veg with phosphates, red meat, seeds) are not great for the kidneys.

..So I'm now in the position where I am looking at my awful hair, wondering what can be done about it! I was thinking about zinc supplements, but I don't know what my current levels are - is there a safe amount too take? My b vitamins are ok.

I take a daily multi -vit supplement - pic attached.

I would be very grateful for any suggestions.

Hi All I will like a recommendation of vitamin supplements because I loss so much hair at the moment I don’t know what to do

Anyone?

Nourkrin. Also I take jeuneora, as they had a sale on recently and I stocked up. My iron is about under control now, and vit c, magnesium and zinc all good to take. X

Thank you! Would you say they have helped and if so, how long did it take before you saw a difference?

I would have thought ferritin levels of 6 would entitle you to an iron infusion? M hair was extremely thin on the front, scalp very noticeable until I got my infusion. Much better now but two years on it never fully went back to normal.

Paininthepoinsetta - no infusions suggested. I got a text from my gp following the blood test saying I would 'benefit' form iron tablets. I think it might be when you have low haemoglobin that infusions are suggested?

After my daughter died it started falling out, not just the hair on top of my head but my eyelashes and eyebrows thinned too. 'Tache and leg hair continued to bloody grow, which was a treat. Anyway, I started taking iron, saw a trichologist who helped, but the routine I had to stick to was torturous so I slowly stopped and started on the nourkrin. It has definitely helped. I think stress and environmental issues do impact on hair greatly. Hope you find something that works.

Thank you Viloot - I am so sorry about your daughter. It has been a stressful year here and that's before all the Corona awfulness started. Nourkin sounds hopeful. X

Good luck, BadMoon ❤

OP my haemoglobin was within normal range, which is why they didn't pick up on the low ferritin levels until they became 'rock bottom' as the consultant described it. I think mine was 4, I had been having really severe palpitations for months beforehand, which the GP tried to convince me was anxiety I was the one who asked the consultant about the infusion, he didn't suggest it. I felt like a new person afterwards.

Sea kelp.

Don't waste your money on viviscal, spent a fortune on the tablets over 2 years with no improvement.

morro and oil with peppermint essential oil added prevents hair loss and promotes growth.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

Paininthepoinsettia - thank you, that is really interesting. I have read about infusions but always thought it was connected to haemoglobin levels. I was in a mess in the months coming up to Christmas - brain fog and so tired I had to literally drag myself around. I assumed it was down to the stress I was under and the subsequent sleep loss and wine consumption. This is definitely something to consider.

Vit d3 reduced the amount of hairs I lost.

Thanks RuthW.

I am really interested in taking vitamin d and zinc but haven't had blood tests for them so don't know what my levels are. Those of you who take it, did you ever get tests? Also, what dosage/brand would you recommend? Thank you.

Get your iron up - unfortunately getting ferritin up takes months. I know because I suffered it. Funny thing is I had a vitamin D deficiency first then was told my ferritin level was too low and my B12 should be higher. Took 6 months to get level of iron to optimum levels. Then fell again due to very heavy periods.

So I would take:

1. Ferrous sulphate or other iron complex at levels higher than ferroglobin. You will have to get them behind the counter from a pharmacist. Ask your GP to prescribe the tablets and if you pay for prescriptions ask if you can buy them as it's cheaper.

1. Multi vitamin or Vitamin B complex to get B vitamins up.

1. Vitamin D3 at government levels unless you are shielding. Also take vitamin K2. You don't need calcium particularly as you have kidney problems. You are suppose to take magnesium as well but too much will give you the runs.

If you are shielding get a finger prick vitamin D test first from www.vitamindtest.org.uk/ as you may need more than normal.

Make sure you drink enough non-alcoholic caffeine free fluid through out the day. Don't go mad but don't get thirsty. Also quit the wine and other alcohol consumption until you know what's going on with your kidneys.

Thanks LittleLittleLittle - that's very interesting.

I have been taking Ferrous Sulfate since the beginning of January and slowly got my level up from 6 to 26 in March.

When I got my initial blood tests done my B12 was at 499, which is in the normal range. Am wondering if I should try and raise it a bit more.

The multi-vitamin I am taking (picture of what it includes is in initial post) includes D, B vits, K (same as K2?) and biotin. I am not sure if I should be taking bigger doses - maybe changing to different supplements? Nourkin (haven't bought any yet) contains 180 micro grams of biotin and my supplement contains 30 - would there be any point taking them together?

Thanks for the Vitam D link. I might see if I can do some kind of home zinc test.

I stopped taking a magnesium supplement about a month ago because I read somewhere that it might not be good for my kidneys.

Have almost ditched alcohol but it's very hard at the moment.

I take a supplement called Hema-Plex, vitamin D and vitamin K2.

I think I am going to buy some Nourkin 45 - it is slightly different from the original one as it has zinc in it. It doesn't look like you can take too much biotin and the levels I'm looking at seem fine.

I will get one of those vitamin d tests that you recommended - LittleLittleLittle.

My multi-vitamin covers the b vitamins and I will be interested to see from the test if it has kept my d levels up. Vitamin K is listed as an ingredient but I'm not sure if that covers K2?