AIBU to expect hair to grow on my head! PICS

[bloodyhair]

I'm 35 ffs. My hair has been thinning since I was 17 but after 3 kids this is just ridiculous. Just washed my hair and I'm depressed as hell.

I've considered wigs, hair transplant and that weave thing but now I think I'll just go for a full on pixie to tell the fuckers with the thick luscious hair that I give up!

I'm healthy believe it or not. No issues, no medication. I take extra vitamins.

Maybe I'll just shave it off.

Could you get some highlights OP? Before doing anything more drastic. Your scalp won't show up as much against lighter hair.

kinkytoes I've tried highlights but they just made my hair really dry and it started to break.

I've got toppik, hairspray bouffant stuff etc.its not so bad on a night out when I make time to do it (an hour) but on a normal day I've got 3 kids to get out to school and nursery.

Looks like androgenic alopecia to me (female pattern baldness). Ive had it since I was 19.

Have you tried using topical minoxidil?

Never used minoxidil before but will give it a try once I've got my bloods done and results. I've avoided topical treatments as I thought they were expensive and generally not great results. But I'm at the stage I'll give it a try.

Got an appt tomorrow to get my bloods checked. I never get an appt that quick! The gods must like me today :)

I went to a trichologists (privately) when I was in my 20's as I was losing a lot of hair and getting quite hysterical about it!
They really are the experts, and I was given excellent advice re diet and dietary supplements that would help.
This "losing hair" periodically has become a problem for me every so often since then. New hair appears eventually but its awful waiting for it to grow.
One product I would recommend that does promote hair growth is Lee Stafford "for hair that won't grow beyond a certain length" (I've only been able to get it from Boots)
If your GP is as rubbish as you say, I would suggest a Trichologist.

Minoxidil as far as I know is the only topical preparation shown to have positive results in the treatment of androgentic alopecia. It won't work for other forms of alopecia, nor does it mean it would necessarily work for you, particularly if you've been balding a long time.

The women's version of minoxidil (brand name Regaine) comes in a 2% solution. The men's version is 5%. I use 5%. You can buy it as a foam or a liquid. I advise going on Amazon to look at brands.

There is also the option of your GP prescribing various meds if you have a positive diagnosis of Androgenetic Alopecia. I tried Spironolactone years ago (didn't work for me).

Finasteride has been clinically approved for the treatment of male androgenic alopecia but it's unlikely a GP would prescribe this to you if you are pre menopausal because of the potentially deforming effects on a male foetus.

The trichologist I saw years ago also raised Flutamide as a possibility but I turned that down due to potential liver toxicity.

Basically, my understanding of the three drugs mentioned, Spiro, Finasteride and Flutamide all work to surpress the body's production of testosterone/DHT.

It's a pleasure BloodyHar
I am so glad you got an appointment quickly. Let's hope the GP can help you properly. Trichologists sound good too if the GP does not help.

Sometimes you hear the NHS version of Low thyroid is higher than what would be low thyroid in a given individual. There may be other ways of checking levels that are more related to finding that individual level.

Fru mentioned PCOS.
I found this link in relation to a friend. Perhaps it may be useful. It does mention hair loss as one of the symptoms. This article was about fertility but has all sorts of information and diet advice.
natural-fertility-info.com/pcos-fertility-diet

I don't know how much sun light you get OP, but lowish vitamin D levels could be a factor. The Vit D council website has information about adequate levels.

Boots make some high strength one-a-day ones.

www.nicehair.org/vitamin-d-and-hair-growth-is-there-a-connection/

Here is a forum about Vit D and hairloss and some research is mentioned.

www.hairloss-reversible.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=340

I think you have had some good advice on this thread. I have been through this and I do think the answer is a combination of stuff. I now have decent hair and you can't see my scalp any more. Mine is probably hereditary, but the treatments below have definitely helped it.

Definitely see a trichologist.Yes it will have to be private, but it is worth it. Doctors are not trained about hair health and their "normal" limits are not good enough for hair. The trichologist should be able to arrange blood tests which are aimed at all the markers for good hair growth.

I also saw a specialist nutritionist and her advice boiled down to protein at each meal and red meat at least twice a week. To grow good hair you need lots of protein, which can come from pulses and nuts as well as meat and fish. Dairy products provide some protein, but it is less effective for hair growth. Ideally aim for meat, eggs or fish at each meal plus a vegetable form of protein. Hair also needs LOTS of iron. She told me to aim for ferritin of 80, but certainly high seventies and I now achieve this despite some lovely heavy menopausal periods. Consciously include plenty of natural iron sources in your diet: sunflower seeds, nuts and dark leafy greens. Red meat does provide iron in its most usable form so don't skip that. Minced beef as spaghetti bolognese or similar is fine, it doesn't have to be steak. Iron in supplements helps but does not substitute for the right diet. Also eat oily fish like salmon or mackerel at least once a week.

No trauma. The body sees hair as inessential so it is the first thing to be dumped if you are ill or starve yourself. I lost a lot of hair three months after having pneumonia for example, but it grew back (there is a lag of 2-3 months in most positive or negative hair reactions). Absolutely no crash diets for the same reason. You can diet but take it slow and make sure you maximise your nutrients.

Yes to minoxidil. It is not a magic solution but it does stop further loss and over time does promote hair growth. I use 5% and stick it on every night after cleaning my teeth. It's just part of my evening routine now.

A good hair and nails vitamin. I have tried pretty much all of them and the one which works best for me is Perfectil Max skin hair and nails. I do see a difference in both my hair and nails when I take it. I also take a daily saw palmetto capsule as an anti androgen.

Don't just give up and cut all your hair off, there are things you can do to make a difference. One of the worst aspects of hair loss is feeling helpless, but I suspect that in three-six months you could make a big difference.

So tonight I feel much more positive. I have a plan in place. I have foods that I want to include in my diet. I have supplements arriving from Amazon prime tomorrow and I ordered some minoxidil as well . Thanks to all your great advice I'm ready to take control of the issue.

I have yet to make an appt with a trichologist but I want to find out what the doctor is checking. That will be my number 1 priority as soon as bloods are back.

I'm waiting for a referral for a pelvic scan so I wouldn't be surprised if it's all connected.

I have a hairdresser appt for next week to get some sort of pixie cut. My hair grows really fast (what there is of it) so if I hate it I can grow it out

Feeling very appreciative tonight for everyone's experience and advice.

Thanks

You have done so well to take so many steps already. I so hope it works out BloodyHair.

What Absinth says is very heartening.

How did you find a good private trichologist Absinthe? Incase BloodyHair needs one?
And, how long did it take before you noticed an improvement in your hair once you began doing what you described??

Take pregnancy vitamins along with brewers yeast and MSM your hair will come back.

And horsetail or drink bamboo tea

Can get all the vits on amazon.
Get tge prego pills from wilkos

It does seem to drop out after a baby doesn't it? Maybe it's like the tooth thing. When I have time I put thickening mousse and thickening product in it. I like the diet advice from Kindogs too though.

You have had great advice on this thread, from people who have been there. I agree with getting yourself tested asap, you may be able to see a trichologist or someone specialising in hair loss by paying privately.

I agree with the iron (low ferritin v common), Vit D, using minoxidil (which is not available on prescription anyway). A trichologist may also recommend a steroid shampoo or cream, but these need monitoring.

I would probably not get short hair, because when the hair starts regrowing, it sticks right up and might be quite hard to manage- at least with longer hair you can sweep it over the patchy bits (a bit comb over though).

Ideally though, you would get to the bottom of it- hormone change, thyroid or autoimmune alopecia- at least if you know what it is you can tackle it more effectively.

Just to answer the question about finding a trichologist : I live in London so I went to Philip Kingsley (not the man himself but one of the other trichologists who work there which was a bit cheaper). Outside London my understanding is that you need to look for someone who is registered with the Institute of Trichologists.

My hair started thinning at 14, by the time I was 30 it was awful! I started using minoxidil which you can get really cheap online... The brand name is regain and I now have normal hair. It was life changing for me, can't recommend it enough!

I'd ask the hairdresser about lightening or dying your hair. There are new products coming out all the time. If you can't lighten it then maybe having more tones in it might help.

I love pixie cuts.

I asked GP for a referral to Dr David Fenton at St Thomas' in London. I'm based in Manchester so wasn't easy but I'm persistant! He is the leading consultant on female pattern baldness (treated Gail Porter when she went bald overnight) & founded the Alopecia UK charity. He also has a clinic on Harley St. If you can go private. He offers all blood tests & a unique but quite unpleasant hair pulling test! They send the follicles off to a lab but also record how easily they come out. I was diagnosed with Telegen Effluvium - basically stress makes the hair reach shedding phase really quickly. I am literally a stress head! It may or may not grow back one day. Minoxidil 2% didn't do anything so I'm on 5% and the foam based product as it's the least greasy option. After couple of years using it religiously I have lots of fluffy 'micronised' hairs at the front of my bonce. Just hoping the thicker ones will come back soon as that's supposed to be next phase. I do get tired of ignorant people having fixated conversations with my forehead when I'm speaking to them 😡. Good luck!

No answers, but I'm in the exact same boat. 3 kids and hair thing since I was 18.
My hair is so thin that I feel self conscious all the time.
I think it could be female pattern hair loss that's the culprit

Hi bloodyhair,
I feel compelled to tell you my story because I've been through the same thing and know how upsetting it is, and how much misconception there is around this issue.

My hair has been gradually thinning since I was 18, Then 5 years ago (aged 30), I came off the pill and my hair started falling out massively to the extent that I felt really self-conscious and depressed. Desperate, I consulted pretty much every expert on the subject of hair loss - my GP, a consultant dermatologist, Belgravia Hairloss Centre, various trichologists and paid a stupid amount of money to see the UK's leading hair loss consultant on Harley Street. I had blood tests, hair sample tests and my diet scrutinised. I read every hair loss forum, books on hair loss, medical papers....you name it. I became a bit obsessed! Anyway, to cut a long story short, I learnt quite a lot about all types of hair loss. Because you say that your hair has (like mine) been thinning for years, it certainly sounds like my condition. The sudden hair loss is called Telegen Affluvium and can be caused by severe stress/shock, malnutrition or hormonal changes (like when you give birth or come off the pill). In most cases, hair will grow back gradually. However, in my case and it sounds like yours, the underlying condition is Androgenetic Alopecia (or female pattern baldness). It's genetic (it doesn't matter if you're the only women in the family with thin hair - if your father has/had a bald patch then you could be genetically predisposed) and your diet and iron levels make pretty much sod all difference. Contrary to what one poster above said, it isn't unusual for women to experience this. It's actually surprisingly common. Particularly among women who have been on the pill for a long time. So whilst my hair stopped shedding significantly (the end of Telegen Effluvium), it will continue to gradually thin over time. I was told that the only thing that may help is using minoxidil or going on a hair friendly contraceptive pill like Yasmin. BUT, this will only slow down the hair loss, it won't make my hair thicker.

It was really hard for me to come to terms with this. But eventually I excepted that this was the case and looked at hair systems. I now have a hair system (which clips on top of my real hair) from Bloomsbury Hair in London and it's fantastic. I now have thick long, glossy hair (albeit someone else's). I too felt like wigs drowned me a bit. And they can be itchy. Hair systems are the way forward! Where do you live? there are a few places that specialise in hair systems but they tend to be in the big cities.

Sorry, really long post. I really hope this helps. I'm obviously not an expert so by all means do your research and ask your GP to refer you to a dermatologist. But the truth is you will get short shrift from the medical profession (in my experience anyway).

Thank for your experiences.

I remember my first boyfriend saying "you've got a bald spot". So it was bad before kids and then since kids it's just got worse. My hairdresser kept insisting it'll get better in a few months. Obviously it hasn't.

I can't see my GP referring me anywhere. My appointment on Friday was a bit of a let down. I'm getting full bloods done but the GP was a bit miffed as to why I was there. I look perfectly healthy apparently.

I think I'll still get a pixie cut but I really do appreciate advice about not getting it done.
I've thought long and hard. My hair is super frizzy just now and I can't even wear it up as it sticks out all directions.

I think I'll need to contact a professional from the institute of trichologists. London is so far away from me and we have so much already on this year that I simply couldn't squeeze in time to fly down with the kids being in school.

I'm absolutely tickled pink about the response I've had. It's helping me realise that I'm not the only one suffering from this frustrating problem. I'm excited by your regrowth stories and fingers crossed I'll have one of my own in the next year :)

Again Thank you all so much. X

I am very sorry about the GP BloodyHair
One thing though, don't believe that because the GP does not know anything about it that means there is nothing that can be done. From what other people have said it does seem there can be solutions and hope.

Good luck.

My hairdresser and my GP both suggest taking zinc for my thinning hair. I've started but too soon to see any difference. My eyebrows are going too and I have no armpit hair (not complaining). I've booked bloods for diabetic review and will insist on thyroid and ferretin levels being checked carefully. It's horrible and I sympathise with you

Mine is thin, and I expect it to get much thinner when I am menopausal, going by my paternal grandmother and aunt, who were/are both very thin on top in older life. The most distressing thing at the moment is that I have a sunburnt scalp, because I don't put sunscreen there, and my hat kept flying off, so I ended up not bothering with it. So please learn from my mistake if you have thin hair and it's sunny out.

Thanks about the info on Dr David Fenton.
I'll see if I can get referred.