Hair loss - is it a symptom?

[1000mangoesinabirthdaycake]

I have recently been losing a lot of hair. It was always a bit ridiculously thick but since lockdown it has got much thinner. When I put my hand round my ponytail it is about half the thickness it was before lockdown started.

At first I thought it was an age thing (42) but could it be a symptom of something else? It seems too fast a rate for age related. Should I speak to a Dr? I'm now stressing about it and then I'm worrying that stressing will make it worse. Can anyone advise?

Yes definitely speak to a dr.
They should do blood tests as it could be due to something easily rectified like anaemia.
Or it could be that you've developed stress related alopecia. A dr will be able to help.

Iron deficiency. A quick blood test will confirm it or discard it.
How is your diet?

According to Agatha Christie, thallium poisoning. Do you entirely trust your family? Might any of them be trying to kill you?

Love it!!!! ElizabethinherGermanGarden

Ask for your iron to be checked - and your ferritin as this (contrary to popular belief) can also cause symptoms if it drops below around 50.

Was that the one with the poison dripping off a leaf? I've been haunted by that after seeing it as a kid. I'll keep an eye out for vials!

Diet is ok. Same as normal. I have had pretty good iron levels previously but it's probably 3+ years since I had a blood test so worth getting checked.

I am worried about stress Alopecia as it's been a tough couple of years and my Mum died about a month ago. I don't feel that stressed though.

Or an overactive thyroid...my hair started thinnng at the temples AND all my underarm hair fell out...

Would that get picked up on a blood test?

Yes it did I think it's one of the standard tests done. Are you also losing weight? How wd u feel about a visit to a hot country now?

Thyroid issues are a common cause of hair loss. You need to see your GP (or phone consultation).

No, not losing weight. I have been running hotter for a while - other people are cold and I'm not, but not to the point of breaking a sweat.

That is one of the questions they ask . Also....overactive thyroid can mess up your digestion. . ...like having an 'upset stomach' as they say. Or 'the squits' in other words.

I'm getting this too. Also 42 and it's falling out all the time, everywhere! I also have very long, thick hair. My shower plug is totally blocked every day. Am finding lockdown ok but my sleep is ruined and my body usually hides stress until I get physical symptoms. I'm thinking it's that. Sorry to hear about your mum OP x

Could be telogen effluvium if you’ve been through highly stressful events recently

No dodgy tummy. I'll phone the GP on the morning and see if they can speak to me. I hadn't heard of telogen effluvium so I've looked that up. Thanks for the suggestions so far.

Following because this is me and I've been ignoring it for ages 😔

The “good” thing about telogen effluvium is that it is temporary as the follicles aren’t damaged, so your hair should regrow in a few months - provided the trigger (ie stress) has subsided too.

You could also take some photos of your hair and send them to a trichologist, many are offering free online consultations