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Original poster

Is there any concerning reason as to why a 6-year-old's hair should be thinning out?

47 replies

imaginaryfriend · 16/03/2009 09:48

It's probably to do with her hair just changing as she matures but I've noticed that dd's hair has halved in thickness from this time last year. It's also changed texture slightly. At the longer parts (it's very long!) it looks now really very fine. It used to be quite a full abundant mane.

I'm thinking we'll get it cut to a chin-length bob so it looks a bit better.

Just wanted to (neurotically) check that it's not a sign of any kind of illness.

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Original poster
imaginaryfriend · 16/03/2009 11:30

bump

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Original poster
imaginaryfriend · 16/03/2009 12:06

No replies because it's a stupid question?

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TheButterflyEffect · 16/03/2009 12:19

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Original poster
imaginaryfriend · 16/03/2009 12:26

I've been googling it actually and it seems to be a common symptom of iron deficiency too so I think I'll take her to the GP although I'm convinced they'll send me away as totally neurotic! It really is noticeable though - our friends were commenting on it yesterday, how thick her hair used to be in comparison to now ...

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Original poster
imaginaryfriend · 16/03/2009 12:26

I've been googling it actually and it seems to be a common symptom of iron deficiency too so I think I'll take her to the GP although I'm convinced they'll send me away as totally neurotic! It really is noticeable though - our friends were commenting on it yesterday, how thick her hair used to be in comparison to now ...

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TheButterflyEffect · 16/03/2009 13:13

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nightcat · 16/03/2009 13:32

It could be a nutritional deficiency and not just of iron.
Could this be a suggestion for you? - I am sending my ds hair sample for analysis to establish what exactly he might be deficient in, as I can't bear a thought of more needles.. It's private (£48), but it's more consistent rather than a sample "on a day".
And they show what should and shouldn't be there rather than a selective test for one element.

Original poster
imaginaryfriend · 16/03/2009 13:37

That's a good idea. I used to have Floradix. Is it a problem with absorption though as much as quantities of iron?

I was wondering if some other symptoms might be linked - she gets a lot of mouth ulcers and styes. She also has quite a lot of headaches and has been having trouble concentrating at school - daydreaming / slightly unfocused.

Again all may be totally unrelated but I'm beginning to wonder...

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nightcat · 16/03/2009 13:45

.. as I have been filling the form for the hair test, they ask for various symptoms of the person in question and all those symptoms you are listing are individually listed.. If interested, the lab is called Foresight in Sussex and you can view the forms on the net (you can safely ignore the refernce to pre-conception, they also do general health, which is why I am testingmy ds). In fact I am thinking to test myself at the sam etime, just trying to find a convenient spot to clip..

hair lab

..all this courtesy of another msn.., thank you birthright!!

nightcat · 16/03/2009 13:55

.. oops, just realised, the price for child is lower, just under £30.

Original poster
imaginaryfriend · 16/03/2009 14:08

Thanks I might do that for dd. And me too! How accurate do you think it is though?

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nightcat · 16/03/2009 17:57

I think it is very accurate in terms of absorption.
I haven't actually used this lab before, but I have a dr friend in US who also does research in terms of nutrition & toxicology (inc some pubmed publications) and he suggested to go down that route as the result should be far more consistent than having a blood sample that could simply depend on the previous day's meals.
I have read a fair bit about it myself but only recently found this place - I wish I had found it sooner.

Original poster
imaginaryfriend · 16/03/2009 23:31

I'll give it a go I think. In the meantime would it do any harm to give her some iron?

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luvaduck · 16/03/2009 23:34

no don't give her any until shes been tested as it could mask the results

to be honest although hairlab looks good, i would want a proper blood level before treating, and if shes iron deficient I would want to know why

gigglewitch · 16/03/2009 23:55

I think you've already discussed it but from reading the title and op i wandered in to say get her some blood tests for anaemia and thyroid etc. I have been dx with these and my hair is in dreadful condition and more of it on the hairbrush
Hope she is ok, please keep on posting

Original poster
imaginaryfriend · 16/03/2009 23:58

What would make a child iron deficient? She has a good diet, lots of fresh fruit and vegetables - pasta / chicken / wholemeal bread / milk / cheese / eggs / noodles / salad etc. etc. I guess she doesn't eat much red meat but I've always thought her diet was pretty good, she doesn't eat any real junk food and doesn't have a particularly sweet tooth.

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Original poster
imaginaryfriend · 17/03/2009 00:04

What other symptoms should I expect to see with under-active thyroid or anaemia?

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nightcat · 17/03/2009 14:26

Long story, but in my ds case, it was wheat (gluten) preventing him from absorbing nutrients. I am now testing him to see if his overall absorption has improved.

I have also learned over the years that in cases of poor absorption, high doses of supplements put additional stress on the liver and they may still not be absorbed properly.

gigglewitch · 17/03/2009 20:20

my ds1 is anaemic resulting from low absorption - he has some food allergies and we haven't got a complete list of everything that he actually has a problem with, some we just can't put our finger on He is dairy free but we make sure that he gets enough other stuff to balance that - the problem is that his intenstine gets inflamed apparently, and he doesn't absorb all the nutrients that he should. allegedly absorbing iron depends on other vitamins to work best, particularly vit c ans some of the B group. Definitely needs medical attention if there is any chance of this.
This may be so far off the mark that it's on another field altogether - so back to the op, just book an appointment with the GP if you are concerned.

Original poster
imaginaryfriend · 17/03/2009 21:57

That's interesting because dd has a severe peanut allergy (of the anaphylactic shock variety) and is also allergic to cashew nuts and sesame seeds. I wonder if that's connected to bad absorption in general?

I got a GP appointment for next Tuesday. Someone said to me today that they can test for iron with a pin prick in the surgery?

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luvaduck · 18/03/2009 16:12

No they can't do a pinprick for iron in the surgery. its a normal blood test for haemoglobin and for ferritin level. you can ask for emla cream so that she won't feel it. (and really you don't feel a thing - I have tried it, completely unaware of needle going in)
many many things can cause anaemia in a child (sorry not helpful - but best to wait and see if she is actually anaemic before worrying)

good luck

Original poster
imaginaryfriend · 18/03/2009 20:46

Dd's no stranger to blood tests due to her extreme allergies, so she'll handle it ok.

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Original poster
imaginaryfriend · 27/03/2009 21:32

I saw the GP this week and she's sending dd for a variety of blood tests:

ESR
FBC & Diff
Liver Profile
Bone Profile

Anyone know what ESR is? and Diff?

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Original poster
imaginaryfriend · 30/03/2009 13:13

Just a little bump as have blood tests tomorrow ...

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Aimsmum · 30/03/2009 13:20

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