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Hair loss on lower legs

9 replies

Kr1spyKr3m3 · 27/01/2022 00:42

Weird one, but I noticed recently that the hair on my lower legs is disappearing. I have thick dark hair and haven’t shaved my legs since the summer so the hairless patches are very obvious. It started on the backs above each ankle and has spread to the outer fronts and further up the back of my calves. The skin is very dry (scaly, if relevant) but feels smooth.
I am not on any medication at all and haven’t been for years.
In 2009 I had a severe reaction to an antibiotic and one of the side effects was a similar pattern of hair loss on my legs. That was accompanied by peripheral neuropathy, buzzing in my legs, freezing feet and an obvious lack of circulation. I mentioned if to my GP who was very dismissive of all my symptoms but in response to the hair loss asked had I just shaved them! So, I suspect I would get a similarly useless answer if I mentioned it to a doctor now. I don’t have any other noticeable symptoms. I haven’t been unwell. I had covid almost two years ago so unlikely to be related to that. It started around three weeks ago and seems to be progressing in the same pattern up both legs.

Any suggestions as to what on earth it might me? Some sort of deficiency? Circulatory issue? I’m just concerned it might be a symptom of something rather than simply hair falling.

OP posts:
cheekychaplin · 27/01/2022 00:45

I thought it was a normal part of ageing?

HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime · 27/01/2022 00:47

Losing the hair on his legs was one if the main symptoms of having hypothyroidism. The other symptoms were brushed off as depression (lethagy/ fatigue and weight gain) as he was looking after both parents who both had cancer.

Gingernaut · 27/01/2022 00:48

Socks

HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime · 27/01/2022 00:49

Above post refers to my DDad, seemed to miss that out.

3beesinmybonnet · 27/01/2022 00:49

Same here. I just thought it was one of the few plus points of the menopause

RoyKentsChestHair · 27/01/2022 00:49

Thyroid issues can cause hair loss, dry skin, neuro issues, circulation problems and cold feet! Definitely try and get some thyroid tests.

Kr1spyKr3m3 · 27/01/2022 00:52

cheekychaplin

I thought it was a normal part of ageing?

Leg hair falling out over three week is a normal part of ageing? I’m only 47. Not even peri menopausal yet.

OP posts:
NotTheGrinchAgain · 27/01/2022 04:18

I am a bit similar. I asked my gp for thyroid tests and was told after blood work up there was nothing wrong. The hair loss on my legs wasnt patchy or scaly but like you I also have very dry skin and itchy, sometimes so dry i absentmindly scratch my legs into bleeding. The hair loss started when I was 41 and I'm not peri. I've still no clue but I'm sure it's hormonal (when I was pregnant my arm and leg hair all fell out and didnt regrow until after the baby was a few months old).

cheekychaplin · 27/01/2022 07:35

@Kr1spyKr3m3

cheekychaplin

I thought it was a normal part of ageing?

Leg hair falling out over three week is a normal part of ageing? I’m only 47. Not even peri menopausal yet.

Mine fell out when I was around 42/43 - I didn't really notice the time scale though.

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