Hair loss and nail growth.

[GinOnTheRocks]

Over the last few weeks I have noticed that I am loosing lots of hair - mainly on the right side of my head midway between my ear and top of my head. It looks awful, especially when I have my hair tied up
My nails are also growing in a really strange way - I have vertical ridges on all of my nails and they are bending down in line with my fingers.
Any ideas what could be causing this? I’m thinking a vitamin deficiency of some sort but not sure?

Hair loss can be due to
Ferritin
Vitamin B12/ folate
Vitamin D
Or thyroid issues.
It would be worth having a chat to the Dr. I have had those ridges on my nails and hair loss but I’ve suffered all the above at different times and I can’t remember now which issue, once resolved, sorted out the ridges. I hope you find the answer soon.

Do you have heavy periods? If so more likely to be iron either haemoglobin, ferritin or both.

Otherwise could be vitamin D, vitamin B12, folate, thyroid or a mixture.

Some GPs are difficult about testing for vitamin D.

So apart from the hair loss and ridges you need to list other signs and symptoms to ensure you get the right things tested. This includes things like fatigue, cravings, skin condition, pains, twitching, cramps, whether you have lots of colds...even if they seem weird or minor.

I’m going to ring the doctor tomorrow but will only be a telephone consultation I imagine
@RedMarauderthe last few periods have been heavier than normal with one ridiculously heavy day followed by a day of hardly anything (brown spotting really) then 6 days lighter than the initial days but heavier than they normally are.
I feel constantly worn out with periods of being unable to sit still - cleaning the house like a mad woman or getting a sudden burst of energy and taking the dog out at 10pm - I feel almost manic then I will settle down and feel tired again
I am also getting cold sores much more than ever before, I used to get one a year at most but have had one every few weeks recently.

I have spoken to the doctors receptionist and am waiting for a doctor to ring me back (hoping I don’t miss the call at work ! )

Did you hear back from the doctor OP? X

Hi,
Yes I had a telephone consultation, they think it is probably some kind of deficiency so I have to have blood tests for vitamin b12, vitamin d, iron and electrolytes etc. Can’t get an appointment for bloods until next Wednesday though

Be interesting to hear what the results are when you get them.
I hope it’s something easily sorted op.

I've been having the same symptoms, so it would be interesting to hear how yours come out. I know in the spring, I was deficient in vitamin D, folate and my thyroid was borderline--but those were all said to be resolved after a few months of supplements

Hi, Thank you for asking.
Most of the bloods came back normal - ferritin (I think - something to do with iron?) was borderline so they want to repeat that in a few weeks.
The phosphate level in my blood was really low at 0.4 and it should be between 0.8 and 1.4 so I have been given some medication to resolve that. The first lot only raised it to 0.6 so I have had another dose and if it hasn’t increased by Wednesday when I have more blood tests I might have to go into hospital for an IV infusion I really hope that doesn’t happen.
I have looked at reasons for a low phosphate level and it seems to be if you are an alcoholic (I very rarely drink, especially at the moment when we can’t go out!) are malnourished definitely not 😂 or have kidney/ liver problems (bloods came back normal for kidney and liver function) so I have no idea.