Telogen effluvium

[Thisisnotmyid]

Has anyone ever been diagnosed with TE and can give some advice? GP seems to think I have it without doing any proper investigations. My hair started to fall out around Christmas really badly and is just not stopping! No obvious trigger such as surgery or traumatic event and all my bloods are fine. Trying all the usual stuff like caffeine shampoos and a better diet/vitamins but no luck so far

[Chocolateteabag]

I had it - about 2 months after being hospitalised with flu/pneumonia which led to sepsis
Just had to ride it out and get my hair cut shorter (Bob from shoulder length) as it grew back I had a halo of sticky up bits

But it did grow back

[grandkk454]

I had it after losing weight quickly. GP said it would stop shedding soon and grow back within 12-16 weeks, but I panicked and spent a small fortune on minoxidil, regaine and anything else that suggested that it could help regrowth. Nioxin thickening spray and dry shampoo helped fake some volume but nothing made it grow any quicker. Almost on the dot of twelve weeks i could see a crop of short hair starting to grow, and by now (2 years later) I have ridiculously thick hair.

[rainbowbee]

I had it twice, ten years apart, and it came from times of emotional trauma. Coconut oil scalp massage helps but basically the hair that was in its growing phase has fallen out and you just have to wait it out and not make things worse. Sorry OP.

[Deebee90]

I’ve currently got it. Got diagnosed a year ago and my hairs still falling out, it’s absolutely awful and wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Nothing helps mine either. All the vitamins don’t work either.

[StrawberryJellyBelly]

Op, I know you've said your bloods are fine but when it comes to your ferritin level it has to be more than fine in order to prevent hair loss. Was your ferritin level checked?

[Carolynpig]

Hey, I’m so sorry you are going through this, it’s absolutely heartbreaking to lose your hair, I have my own experience of Telogen Effluvium after having sepsis, pneumonia and multiple organ failure five years ago, I lost 90% of my very long , thick hair the year following my illness but never went bald as all the time my new hair was growing back. Think back to 6/12 weeks ago, have you had a physical or emotional trauma? Sometimes the contraceptive pill or hormones can trigger it. The good news is that it’s usually only temporary and may only involve a small percentage of your hair. If it is telogen effluvium it’s will grow back the same as before. You just need to take care of yourself, eat well and try to sleep despite the stress this condition brings. There are support groups on Facebook which you may find helpful and also recovery stories. On a positive note people usually start to recover within three to six months after the trigger is removed and most will get their hair back. My hair grew back thick and curly and is now down my back again. I will never forget the heartbreak .

[Thisisnotmyid]

Wow thank you all for replying ❤️ it’s definitely soul destroying to watch your hair come out and realise there’s nothing we can do to stop it.

I’ve wracked my brains and I honestly cannot think of anything to have caused it. I’ve not been overly stressed, last had Covid in July etc so it just seems so strange and hair loss isn’t a thing in my family.

@StrawberryJellyBelly I don’t know about my serration but I’ll ask that one (so many bloods but I’m not sure on specifics)

thank you all for the reassuring stories and I’m so sorry for the ones who are still going through it🌻