So upset re my hair loss - should things have improved by now?

[Twoanklebiters]

I feel like I post about this a lot but if that reflects my panicky, desperate mode then so be it!
I have ongoing digestive issues (diagnosed with IBS-D but being investigated for celiac and h pylori infection, clear colonoscopy etc). Recently I saw my hair at the front to one side of my parting was extremely thin, and also thinning at the temples etc. I had a blood test - all normal apparently apart from a ferritin level of 13. So for the last 10 weeks I’ve been on ferrous sulphate 200 twice a day, and more recently I’ve added in vitamin D, Perfectil HAIR and a multivitamin. Plus collagen supplements. However, whilst I feel less wiped out than I did, my hair has got worse. Now in my bathroom I can see my parting at the front has widened and one side is almost bald, just a few straggly hairs clinging on. The other side is thinning but nowhere near as bad. Honestly I’m distraught. I can’t bear to look at myself. I can also feel the bulk of my hair is far thinner so I’m aware this is happening all over my head, this front bit is really suffering as it’s always been thinner there (I think that’s what’s going on anyway).
But I was trying my best to be hopeful when I started these tablets - and it’s only got worse. Is it too soon? Do you think they could still turn this around? I contacted a Trichologist at the 8 week mark, and she said to give it longer for the tablets to work but at this rate I will be completely bald at the front before long.
Please help! I feel so depressed about it and how quickly things are getting worse. Thank you.

Bumping

Well what else is going on… are you stressed? How old are you? Is your scalp itchy? What products are you using?
Do you drink? what’s your diet like?

My DM has suffered with hair loss, usually stressful events and it takes a long time for the hair to grow back. Months and years not weeks… I know how upsetting it is.

It'll be your gut issues, I get the same problem. It takes around 3 months for your hair to catch on you've had a stomach upset for eg. You've then forgot all about it and are just perplexed at the shedding. Look how long it takes to realise you've just had a baby for eg.

I use products with kerratin in. B&m do a funky hair mask in a little red pouch for a few quid. Slap it on and cover your head in a towel or cling film for a bit. Makes it much happier.

I'd focus on calming the fires in your guts and it should settle down but may take a few months. Then you have the spikey stage to look forward to.

@Suzi888

Well what else is going on… are you stressed? How old are you? Is your scalp itchy? What products are you using? Do you drink? what’s your diet like?

My DM has suffered with hair loss, usually stressful events and it takes a long time for the hair to grow back. Months and years not weeks… I know how upsetting it is.

I’m not especially stressed (though I am a sort of anxious person!). I’m 43 but both parents have full heads of hair so I’d be surprised if it’s FPB (I hope it’s not!). I don’t drink much, perhaps 4 glasses of wine a week? I don’t feel that’s excessive but I must say my diet could be improved. I eat decent dinners but tend to be unreliable at lunchtime, sometimes skipping it altogether or eating something a bit crap like toast and marmite. I also don't feel like I drink enough water to combat my daily bowel habits! And I leave it hours after waking up to eat or drink anything really. Scalp fine, and I’ve just switched to the herbal essences non sulphate range of shampoo etc. so I do think this could be nutritional, some sort of absorption issue possibly. I just have to hope these vitamins and tablets can break the cycle until my tummy gets sorted. It’s so stressful though waiting and just seeing more and more scalp!

@gamerchick

It'll be your gut issues, I get the same problem. It takes around 3 months for your hair to catch on you've had a stomach upset for eg. You've then forgot all about it and are just perplexed at the shedding. Look how long it takes to realise you've just had a baby for eg.

I use products with kerratin in. B&m do a funky hair mask in a little red pouch for a few quid. Slap it on and cover your head in a towel or cling film for a bit. Makes it much happier.

I'd focus on calming the fires in your guts and it should settle down but may take a few months. Then you have the spikey stage to look forward to.

Yes I do think it is that. The constant upset tummy every day can’t be good. With a bit of luck they will finally get to the bottom of what the hell is going on with it soon enough. In the meantime I hope I can see some improvements to give me some sort of positivity. I am glad to hear at least 3 months as maybe the next 2/3 weeks might show more. Honestly I inspect my scalp daily and get very preoccupied with it all. I wish I could see things starting to change so I could forget about it a bit and get on with my life. A nice conditioning treatment sounds like A great idea. I just don’t feel like I’ll ever see growth at the front again. 😫

Hope you get to the bottom of it OP and your hair growth improves. My DM has had some luck with Plantur shampoo (I think it called) in a green bottle from Boots and I’ve seen previous threads that have mentioned Nioxin is good.
I don’t think you can beat fresh fruit and veg, but a decent multi vitamin may help too.

You need to take iron, I think galfer is the best and easiest to tolerate. I take that, collegan, JS Hair and Energy, MSM ad Vit D
It takes 6 months to work though but my hair is unrecognizable
I suspect I could drop all apart for the Iron and Vit D. You need a Ferritin level of 70 to stop hair loss and 120 for growth apparently
Also they say if you have issues with your hair think back to three months prior as it takes that long to have effect.

workshy44 interesting that ferritin should be 70, mine was 19 and hair falling out.

Been taking vitabiotics wellwomen plus and it has been helping with hair loss

It has taken ages

Oh OP you have my sympathy.
I was losing my hair at the front and had a bald patch about 5cm diameter and it was nutritional. My ferritin was 11. I took liquid iron and multivitamins. It took probably a months but my hair returned and now you can't tell at all.
It's terrifying. I understand. Stress won't help. Breathe deep. Get some liquid iron (Floradix or something) and keep taking the pills.

Thank you everyone. I feel like maybe I’m expecting too much too soon then? I find myself examining my hair every morning, just hoping to find baby hairs. I do have a handful in my parting, I can’t yet see any in my balding bits at the front. It’s agony that I spend my time in this way, I have two young children yet I’m there in the mirror, heart racing, desperately searching. I now wear an Alice band in the evening in the bathroom so I don’t have confront the sight of the front patches with the overhead light! It’s mad.
Can I ask what MSM is? Anything extra I can throw down my neck to speed this up, I’m game!

I take a strong dose of biotin. Its taken about 6 months but its definitely made a difference.