Two years ago I noticed that my hair volume had diminished considerably. I went to the GP and they ran some bloods which showed my ferritin level was low. I've always had really heavy periods and had taken up running the year before so decided it was a combination of the two (I had also fallen over a couple of times and problems with leg weakness).
So I began iron supplements and later Vitamin D supplements (as that too turned out to be low). I also saw a dermatologist who suggested I try to keep my ferritin levels high indefinitely, although she admitted there wasn't much of an evidence base for cranking levels up and hair regrowing at its original thickness.
My hair used to be very thick. I'd regularly have it thinned at the hairdressers.
Two years on and my hair has totally changed in texture. It feels like candy floss. And it continues to fall out at the same rate (100-200 strands a day). The volume is at least 50% what it was 2-3 years ago.
It's not really female pattern hair loss as I have good cover everywhere. But it feels like the regrowth is not able to play catch up as it continues to tumble out (it's wrecking my hoover, dishwasher etc.!). It was diagnosed by two dermatologists as chronic telogen effluvium.
So I'm starting to conclude maybe it's hormone-related. I don't have many other menopausal symptoms (I'm in my mid 40s). My periods - still heavy - are like clockwork (bar last month, mind!).
Are others experiencing this kind of symptom?
If I could work out some sort of trigger, I'd address it but I feel like all the doctors I've seen - GPs and specialists - have drawn a blank.