Hair thinning - panicking

[JosieGrossie]

I'm 32 and in the last few months noticed my hair becoming much more sparse. I've always had thin hair and keep it quite short (long bob/just above shoulder length) as it feels pulled down if it's any longer. I rarely use bobbles or put my hair up as I can feel it "pulling" my scalp and I find it uncomfy. DM has been making comments for a few weeks about how thin my hair is looking at the parting. I've tried hair and nail supplements before but feel they didn't do much. I will of course speak to the GP about it but feeling quite down after noticing it today and taking some photos. I've started getting grey hairs too but I don't think that's the reason for it looking so sparse lately. Any advice welcome!

I know you said you’ve tried supplements but I’ve had good results with biotin from Boots. This one www.boots.com/boots-hair-formula-biotin-90-tablets-10326826 It’s a much higher dosage than some of the other ones and it made a great difference in reducing my hair loss and with new growth. I also recommend Aveeno volumising shampoo and conditioner, pricey but really seems to thicken my hair too. Good luck.

My GP said at least 5000 micrograms for biotin. Some supplements have much less. The boots one above looks good. I've got some gummy ones from amazon. I'm trying some hrt as well but I'm definitely menopausal which you probably aren't.

Thanks both. I have been using the Pantene Grow Strong shampoo but not tried Aveeno. Will see what the GP recommends with biotin. Definitely not menopausal, having regular periods, but I was prescribed folic acid for 3 months in both 2022 and 2023. Also should have said that DM and DNan both have thyroid issues but nothing has been picked up when I've been tested. And final drip, I've been going through an incredibly stressful time for the past 13 months with no end in sight, which has probably contributed to this problem.

Regaine foam (minoxidil). It is pricey but it's the only thing that has been shown to actually work.

Get a full blood test.
Take a full multi vitamin tablet.
That is not normal shedding.
Hopefully, just iron and folate issues.

I've noticed a difference with Biotin supplements. I've recently brought a biotin hair oil but it's too soon to say if it's making a difference.
I started using a new shampoo and conditioner last year and I think my hair seems thicker. It's called Luseta Black Jamaican castor oil shampoo, normally pricey but I got mine for £9.99 at Tkmaxx.

Get a blood test to check iron and ferritin levels as ferritin needs to be above 80 for women experiencing hair loss. Also you don't mention your age but you can still be in peri menopause and have regular periods. I suffered hairloss and very heavy periods at that time and hrt plus iron definitely made a positive difference.

Plantur 39 shampoo and conditioner is amazing.

As others have said- blood tests.
Please do this, it is probably something simple to correct.

I saw a private dermatologist as my hair was constantly falling out. She said to get GP to test my ferritin (iron) levels. She said it should be minimum 90 to maintain hair but ideally over 100. Mine was 26. GP said levels were fine but I told them about my appt with dermatologist and showed them my emails and said they were the expert so supported what they suggested. I supplement iron with vit c and I use men's 5% regaine minoxidil foam 5 nights a week and my hair has never been better. I'm almost 2 years doing this and my hair started to regrow almost immediately. I've now noticed my hair has never grown properly around my face are and I think I've had issues for years but it was exacerbated by post partum.

I lost a lot of hair in peri and due to stress, I fixed it with getting a weave and dealing with the underlying causes. If you want to get a weave don't leave it too long as you need a decent amount of hair to attach it to, it's a good long lasting solution but the underlying causes are the key.n

I started getting big bald patches a few years ago. I decided to take very good quality vitamins and minerals and got a blood test for deficiencies. I was B12 deficient and anaemic. After I'd taken supplements few a few months my hair grew back. Get your thyroid tested too.

At 32, I would definitely get blood tests. I lost hair down the centre of my scalp when I started taking oestrogen blocking meds following breast cancer (annoyingly it was new regrowth after chemo).
I used Regaine for women, it's not cheap but it worked.

As PPs have said get your iron/ferritin checked, mild (or even not-so-mild) anaemia is really common and easily fixed. Underactive thyroid is also common and will make your hair fall out if not treated, so get that tested too. Low vitamin D is another obvious one that can result in hair loss, and easy to test and supplement. Hope things improve soon, best wishes.

Mines the same and more noticeable since I started getting more greys. It’s heartbreaking and I understand how you’re feeling, I hope you get some answers from your GP xx

This. My folate levels were way down.