I think I'm losing my hair

[buttonmoon78]

DS (dc4) is nearly 5m. I've been losing hair fairly constantly since 3m which is perfectly normal and fine as I've never had the thickest of hair except when pg.

But now, for about 1" back from my hairline all around, there's a significant thinning, quite noticable. I'm off to the hairdresser tomorrow for a routine appointment so I'll also ask her but is there anything I could/should be doing?

Basically, I'm bricking it

Hi Button, I'm a trichologist (hair and scalp specialist). As you are aware, hair loss after having a baby is very common, affecting around 50% of new mums, and lasting an average of 12 weeks. Basically we lose far fewer hairs than normal during pregnancy, so it's just the hair fall catching up. If there are no other underlying factors, this should self correct in time. However, in your case, I would make an appointment with your GP, and ask for a blood test to get your ferritin (iron stores) level checked. It may well be within normal range, but a result below 80 ug/L could cause an increase in daily hair fall. If this turns out to be the case, it is easily rectified through iron supplements. Do get tested first though, as you shouldn't take iron if you don't need it.

I hope that helps, and do let me know if I can help further.

Oh thank you so much.

It's definitely more than I'm used to - and I've had 3 other pgs to measure it up against. As I said, I've not got the thickest or most plentiful hair ordinarily, but this looks like baby hair - you can see more than a glimpse of scalp through it.

I was more worried that it might be stress related. I've had rather a lot to deal with since dc4 was born and before actually - dh's job loss and new business, dc4 having reflux and now possible allergies, car accident blah blah.

I'll see the GP (seeing him on Friday anyway) and ask. I hope that it is something as simple as iron supplements.

Thanks again - I'll ask again if I need to!

You're welcome, happy to help! I'm sure the stress could have played a part too. Be prepared for the GP to be dismissive of my suggestion, I've come across this attitude so many times, but they just don't tend to have knowledge about hair problems! If they agree to run tests, it would be worth also checking your vitamin B12, zinc and vitamin D levels too, as these are all important nutrients for hair. Fine hair around the front can be typical of low iron, although obviously difficult to say for sure without seeing it. Try not to worry too much!

Thanks both. GP (and hairdresser) suggested a supplement for skin/hair/nails to up iron and zinc amongst others (also has folic acid in interestingly). Am to try it for 3m and see what happens Also to avoid stress ha!

It's not noticable really when my hair is styled as it usually hangs over it, so I'#m not bothered about others seeing it, so I'm just going to try and ignore it until the vits run out and then assess the damage/difference.