Hair loss/thinning

[30smthng]

Hi,

I'm (33f) wondering if anyone has experienced similar and what helped them. I normally have a lot of long, dark, straight, healthy hair (the strands are thin but I have a lot of hair so it always looks thick and healthy). However, the past few months I have noticed I can see more and more of my scalp and my hairline is uneven and I assume receding. It's not causing bald patches, rather thinning overall and becoming more sparse - although it seems to be concentrated at the front of my scalp.

I got a blood test done from the docs when I told them about this as well as tiredness and weight gain. They tested for TSH, B12, folate, iron and thyroid and they all returned 'satisfactory'. I'm surprised at the iron result because I was sure that would be low.
Has anyone else experienced this and got to the bottom of it?

BTW: No kids or pregnancy

Have you had covid?

Read this www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/4461425-Is-hair-loss-a-post-covid-symptom-if-it-is-when-does-it-sto

What was your ferritin level? If it’s below 70 that could be the cause. GP will say it’s OK even if it’s 1 point over the minimum.

I have the same issue! In my case, I am thinking it could be Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

I have this with PCOS. Not all the symptoms present in everyone so could be worth getting hormone levels checked.

Yes definitely ask what your ferritin levels were. Normal is considered above 12 but you apparently need at least 50 and ideally 70-100 for normal hair cycles and growth. I got tested after I noticed massive hair loss exactly as you describe and my level was 13. Now on ferritin tablets so fingers crossed they make a difference!

Ooh interesting. I've never tested positive but have had a few suspicious bouts

They didn't give me the numbers, just that they were satisfactory. I'll ring them on Monday again to see if I can get the results sent out. Thanks for that info re ferritin.

Re PCOS, I hope you don't mind me asking, what was it that triggered a diagnosis or looking into PCOS?

Re PCOS: I am seeing a Doctor next week as I think I may have PCOS but I am not sure. I have the same symptoms you mention in your original post and more recently I am also suffering from stubborn cystic spots around my chin, which I believe can another symptom of PCOS. I am early 40s. Whatever it is, I assume it is hormone related. My thyroid is fine - I had it checked recently.

I had same situation from November my hair was falling out in clumps!! Really thin, I got loads of blood tests done, including vitamin levels my vitamin c and d were low and it can cause hair loss! I started taking supplements with biotin in it and using shampoo with it aswell now my hair is starting to grow back in the baldy areas

Theres a post running now, poster started taking protein powder daily and one of the effects is, her hair has started growing.