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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be so down about hair loss

49 replies

LadySilence · 09/03/2022 17:06

I've always had fine hair but lots of it. Last year I noticed more hair was coming out after washing and over the last eight months I've lost well over a third of it. I had some stresses last year but nothing that would warrant this level of sudden shedding.

I'm mid thirties, fit and healthy. Blood tests have all been normal. I saw a dermatologist who diagnosed telogen effluvium but with no obvious cause. I now have a bald patch on top of my head and it looks so awful. It's absolutely knocked my confidence for six to the point where I'm considering ending a new, otherwise very positive relationship because of how bad it makes me feel. He says it's fine but I feel like a freak next to him. Im terrified it will keep on getting worse and ill end up with pattern baldness. Am I being ridiculous given it's just hair in the grand scheme of things?!

OP posts:

MiniDaffodils · 09/03/2022 17:10

Regaine off Amazon. It works really well.

Firefly1987 · 09/03/2022 17:42

It's horrible, I have very fine hair at the front and worried it'll get worse. A fringe covers it atm but it's upsetting (on top of all the other things I have wrong with my appearance!) Mine is most likely due to vitamin deficiency. I was taking iron tablets but sadly they don't seem to have helped. It could be down to any other deficiency though-pretty sure I'm most likely deficient in practically every vitamin.

I second regaine (or whatever it's called) I haven't tried it yet but it came up A LOT when I was reading about hair loss and seemed to work quite well for some.

Your partner sounds lovely please don't end the relationship! It'll only make you feel worse and it's a silly thing to end a relationship over though I totally understand how it makes you feel.

gamerchick · 09/03/2022 17:43

How much protein do you eat?

Original poster

LadySilence · 09/03/2022 17:52

Diet is good, plenty of protein. Blood tests last year showed slightly low zinc but not much else. Ferritin was 67 which consultant said was actually pretty high. I made the mistake of seeing a trichologist (I know!) who kept going on about female pattern hair loss but the consultant dermatologist didn't seem impressed with that and thought it more likely telogen effluvium. It's been eight months though and no sign of regrowth

OP posts:

Newnamefor2022 · 09/03/2022 18:07

I've heard people say biotin helps. I sympathise, mine is thinning and I hate it.

ClariceQuiff · 09/03/2022 18:11

Forgive the question, but did you have Covid in the period before it started? Anecdotally I have come across a number of people for whom Covid precipitated hair loss.

pktechgirl · 09/03/2022 18:13

I've started taken collagen tablets. Its taken 7 weeks of taking 2 a night but the hair loss in the bath has drastically reduced. It is still there but not the clumps I had coming out previously.

Original poster

LadySilence · 09/03/2022 18:14

I had very mild covid about eight months prior to really noticing the shedding so it seems to big a gap to be connected. I tried taking biotin but it made me really nauseous. It's funny because I've never really been very appearance conscious, don't wear makeup etc but this is upsetting me so much

OP posts:

Beebumble2 · 09/03/2022 18:16

I’ve been taking Perfectile Hair, Skin and Nail supplements for two years and my hair has definitely thickened and falls less.

LilMrsMoody · 09/03/2022 18:16

I have this problem. Visited Dr's specialists etc no change. Last year hairdresser recommended using waterman's shampoo and conditioner alongside taking pilfood supplements and I've noticed a difference, I've taken photos all through out too.

Thenose · 09/03/2022 18:22

I feel for you, and I hope it gets sorted soon. Please don't end a potentially happy relationship because of this. Is there any hair at all on your 'bald' spot? If there's anything at all there, you can disguise it to an amazing degree with Toppik hair fibre. There are lots of videos on youtube showing it being used on men with male pattern baldness. I thought it might be too good to be true, but I bought some for my SIL and it was miraculous. It's for sale in boots and on amazon. You'll need an applicator too, so don't forget to buy one if it isn't included. If you have any hair there at all, it'll make an enormous difference and give you a confidence boost until it improves.

Will0wtree · 09/03/2022 18:24

I had really rubbish fragile, thinning hair. I started taking daily vitamin D and Vitamin B12 tablets about two years ago, (vitamin D because it's meant to be protective against Covid, and while I was at it I thought I'd take the B12 as well). It may be pure coincidence but my hair has improved massively. So much less shedding and breakage. Can't do any harm, so might be worth a try.

Saltyquiche · 09/03/2022 18:29

Ferritin needs to be over 70 at least

Saltyquiche · 09/03/2022 18:29

For regrowth

dottypencilcase · 09/03/2022 18:30

@LilMrsMoody

Would love to see a before and after if you're willing? Desperate to try anything.

HandfulOfFlowers · 09/03/2022 18:39

I don't think you should feel you're wrong to be upset. It's very distressing to lose your hair, especially the feeling of lack of control over it. I have has alopecia universalis for 25 years, and one upside for me has been that it really winkles out the men of substance over those who are put off by something like this. Please don't end your relationship - he sounds like a lovely man. Men who can't cope with it de-select themselves from being in your life, and good riddance if so! If a man can't handle hair loss, then what would he be like if you needed support with a more critical illness in later life?

Maray1967 · 09/03/2022 18:40

Regaine was a waste of ££ for me but I’m in my 50s and mine is hereditary thinning - no bald patches but just quite thin now. I use root colour to disguise the paleness of the scalp - shows through less. If it gets much worse I’m heading to a wig place nearby that specialises in thinning hair as well as loss for you chemo.
I’ve come to terms with it now. I don’t have a fringe now as I need every hair going back ! Id love it if Edwardian hair styles came back and I could pile it all on the top of my head .

BOOTS52 · 09/03/2022 18:56

I went through this a few years ago and it was down to stress and low iron. I started taking ferrous sulphate and after a few months it did really help. You can buy over the counter at chemist. When I washed my hair was coming out in clumps. Always had fine hair but lots of it and it was shocking. Now in peri menopause and hair fine again and coming out but just start hrt so hope improves and starting on iron again. So I do understand how you are feeling. I lost most my eyebrows which never re grew back and will get that sorted soon but only positive is lost hair on legs and never have to shave as never came back, a form of alopecia. Start on iron and take with juice as vitamin c helps iron to absorb into the body and cut down on tea/coffee. Take a good multi vitamin with zinc and try to relax more and if there is more stress in your life than should be try to do something or make small changes. Lucky I have always had a fringe but still stressful with eyebrows. Your fella sounds lovely and really try not to worry or let it affect the relationship. Buy some trendy hats also for going out. My friend got a bald patch also when really stressed. Hope things improve but sometimes just taking Iron, vit d and multivitamins will help. Be kind to yourself also and it will improve. xx

DespairingHomeowner · 09/03/2022 18:56

This problem runs in my family - it is very natural to be upset. Don’t let it ruin a good thing though x

caecilius1 · 09/03/2022 19:11

Presumably your thyroid has been tested too OP?

Original poster

LadySilence · 09/03/2022 20:21

Thanks all, it helps just to talk about it to be fair. I think thyroid was included in the blood tests yeah, nothing abnormal. I've got watermans shampoo but can't say I've seen a difference- the consultant basically said anything you put on externally makes little difference which I guess I knew anyway. All these magic potions are such a scam!

OP posts:

DespairingHomeowner · 09/03/2022 20:41

@LadySilence

I’ve been told by a relative that her dr suggests avoiding parabens so I’m going to try that (herbal essences is paraben free but I’m going to look for other brands)

Sweetchocolatecandy · 09/03/2022 20:45

I empathise OP, since hitting my mid-30’s I’ve started suffering from hair thinning too. I am getting my bloods checked next week but until then I’m starting to increase my protein intake and I’ve started looking into iron supplements. The problem is there are so many different products and recommendations it’s difficult to know where to start.

Elieza · 09/03/2022 20:56

I thought iron had to be around 80 to improve hair loss so you need to take an iron supplement again. At least they are cheap.

My nutritionist says take protein with every meal. Not TV dinners though, cook chicken or fish etc.

Did you recently come off or go on The Pill? I did one or the other a few years back and even my hairdresser noticed the difference in my hair. Can’t remember which right enough but if you have started or stopped does it tie up with the hair loss?

Stress makes my hair fall out. I thought I was ok. Just a bit stressed and knackered. My body thinks otherwise. It’s still falling out but cocoises scalp treatment seems to help along with a shampoo my gp prescribed. It took a few to get the right one as o had dry scalp so dry the hair follicles were basically unanchored and were falling out.

veralo · 09/03/2022 21:00

I suffered with this about 3 months after having a bad bout of flu. I also had low iron. I started taking iron tablets (Feroglobin) and Vit D3 and after a few months it stopped falling out and then a bit later I could see new hair coming through. I still take both supplements and my hair seems to be okay now and I also feel less tired. My hair is quite fine but the loss seems to be what it was before I was ill.

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