What could be causing my thinning hair?

[JustlookingNotbuying]

I am so self conscious about this issue and have kept it to myself for a few years (so haven’t yet mentioned it to my GP), but really want to get some answers now as it’s getting worse.
I have always had fine hair but since hitting my 40’s (now 49) my hair is really thinning at the front of my hair and especially at the temples. I can’t see my scalp when there is a down lighting above me.
Not sure if it’s hereditary as my parents do have crap hair themselves. Dad has been bald for years and mum has very, very fine hair yet strangely my sister (only other sibling) has straight, fine hair but lots of it.
I thought it was down to low iron which I’ve had a while and even needed an infusion earlier this year but there is no signs of any new growth even though my iron levels are now normal. The thinning is getting worse and I am losing more at the temples, its like baby fine/broken off hair.
What could be causing this? It’s really getting me down now.

I have resorted to wearing a hair topper to cover it all up.
Is there a medical condition other than low iron which could cause this? I do have other issues like very bad daily digestive issues (diagnosed with IBS), low energy and I believe I’ve been perimenopausal since mid 40’s so have a myriad of peri symptoms too.

CAN see my scalp with down lighters!

Many deficiency can cause hair loss. You have excluded iron deficiency. Now it is time to consider:

• Low oestrogen will cause hair thinning or hair loss. It is one of the symptoms of menopause.
• A biotin deficiency might also cause it.
• Protein deficiency might also be a cause.
• Omega 3 deficiency might explain hair thinning and fatigue

Increase your protein in your diet, take a biotin supplement , an EPA/DHA supplement and see if it does anything.

Given your age, low oestrogen is a strong suspicion but levels are hard to measure and unless you have other symptoms, GPs will be reluctant to prescribe patches.

Don't be shy about talking to your GP about it. It is impacting you.

Why are you avoiding talking to your GP about it? Please talk to your GP about it. Do it on Monday. Could be oestrogen, vitamin d, vitamin K. Other things. Thyroid. Blood test will help. HRT or other things could be the answer.

I hate that people stick their head in the sand and don't deal with things head on.

Oblomov22 because I find this extremely depressing and I hate having to wear a hair topper then having to take it off to show a doctor. Most of my friends have very thick hair and I no of no one other than my mum with this issue. Whether you hate people sticking their head in the sand or not is irrelevant to me but hey! thank you for the empathy, you’ve been very helpful!

Thank you so much MatchaTea, I will try all of the suggestions and then mention it to my GP when I have my appointment at the end of the month (for something else but will bring this to her attention).

know of

GPs don’t always take it seriously. A few years back my hair was falling out and when I mentioned it to my GP she just shrugged and said it was normal for my age. It was soon after that I went back because I felt terrible, really tired, and lo and behold a blood test threw up that I had vv low ferretin levels. A few months of iron supplements and my hair started growing back.

CurlyhairedAssassin that was my fear, I haven’t had the most sympathetic GP up to recently, even when my ferritin was under 3 he let it go for over a year with me feeling like death warmed up. Luckily, I have changed surgeries recently and due to see my new GP next month so fingers crossed she will help.

When you say your iron is now normal, do you know the actual figure? ‘Normal’ results can be as low as 15 but you need levels of around 70+ to support hair growth.
Low B12 can also affect hair and there is a huge difference between low end of normal and optimal.
Are you on any HRT? That can reduce the thinning of hair a bit.

Aside from blood tests to rule out/in any medical issues. It would definitely be worth asking for a trial of HRT for 6 months to see if it makes a difference. No need to stop after 6 months if it’s working for you. Have a look for the NICE guidelines for menopause as your GP should follow this guidance when prescribing.

You may have other symptoms of peri that you’ve not joined the dots on eg fatigue, brain fog, poor sleep.

Hair loss is a well-known symptom of thyroid problems

PPPPlease My ferritin is now 153 (was 3) and HB is now 12.5 (was 9). I haven’t had my b12 tested so will ask about that. I’m not yet on hrt but have an appointment at the end of Oct to discuss it.
Thank you PortiaWithNoBreaks I have an appointment with my new gp next month to discuss hrt. It’s been a huge battle for me. I’ve had peri symptoms since 45 and my old GP refused to accept I may be in peri due to the fact that, although I have a huge list of peri symptoms as I have regular periods (albeit so heavy I needed an ablation this year) and no regular hot sweats I simply can not be peri. I am now 49 with ongoing issues but still he kept giving me prescriptions for antidepressants instead!

Coyoacan I have wondered this. I do have quite a few thyroid symptoms but wasn’t sure if it was perimenopause symptoms? I am not sure if thyroid issues run in families? My grandad had an overactive thyroid, mum is borderline and my sister has an under active thyroid and being investigated for parathyroid issues. I last had my thyroid checked in 2017, my TSH was 1.5 and T4 was 12.7 which they said was normal. My T4 a year before was 14.

I have the same issue and it makes me so fed up. I don't want to go out or look people in the eye. I'm on hair supplements and am also trying Regaine. Have a look at Jo Jones on Instagram. She went to a trichologist for this same issue and is on a regime that you might find interesting.

Also, Davina Mccall is currently a good source of info on peri/menopause.

I’m sorry you have the same OhMerde, it’s soul destroying isn’t it? I haven’t really tried anything yet as I just don’t know what to do for the best. I will look on IG, thanks you. Davina is great, I follow her on SM.

OhMerde do you think the Regaine is helping at all?

OP, my iron was low (7), & left that way, for 3 years. I lost handfuls of hair.
I was given a 2 transfusions last year. They took it up to around 150.
Within 6m it had halved. So you may need annual transfusions.

See also B12 & menopause.
I hope your new GP is better.
Mine was rubbish. I kept falling over & ended up losing my job.
She also told me to 'chat to the chemist if you are strugglng with the menopause but I dont think you are as you say your periods are still coming (monthly, aged 53). I had all the other symptoms of peri though, in spades. Now on HRT.

Too early to say. I've only been taking it a few weeks.

You can still have periods and be peri menopausal.

I’ve got this issue and just started on Nioxin. I’ve also bought a product from them which is £50 But really helps it to look thicker. www.lookfantastic.com/nioxin-3d-intensive-diaboost-hair-thickening-xtrafusion-treatment-100ml/11870792.html
I think it may be linked to menopause. I’m waiting on a blood test to check oestrogen levels.

A tendance to auto-immune disorders does run in families.

Definitely worth seeing your gp.

I think my hair has improved with taking calcium and vit d tablets.

I think a lot of ppls scalp will show through under a down lighter - mine does but the hairdresser looked at me as though I was bonkers to be worrying about thinning hair.

Also to add, yes thinning hair does run in families.

Thanks everyone. I will try starting some supplements and will definitely discuss it with my gp next month.

Get yourself referred to a dermatologist.

I take spironolactone and oral minoxidil. The issue is that some people’s hair follicles are extra sensitive to androgens. Even if your hormones are at completely normal levels (as mine are) you can still get hair loss.

With the treatment I’m on I’ve regrown hair on my temples and my part looks ‘normal’.
My hair is still on the thin side but not abnormally so anymore. You’d be surprised to know how common this is, even in younger women.

Good luck. I know how soul destroying hair loss can be.

Thank you bluetongue I will ask my GP to refer me.