Effective yet not madly £ collagen supplement?

[tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz]

So HRT patches have made my symptoms much better (not gone all together but on the whole, more than manageable) however the new kid on the block is hair turning coarse and noticeably shedding 😳

I've read lots about collagen supplements helping massively and a few ladies i know are using it with great results.

But good lord it's not cheap is it?!!! I've this weekend started using Plantur shampoo and conditioner and after washing I've noticed less coming out however huge caveat - I've started lathering them in really, really gently, I'm not combing my hair wet at all either. I'm sure both of these actions are a benefit.

But I'm still interested to hear your experience of using collagen for the cost. Also when you read the info there is so much disparity between the actual active ingredient per dose meaning what seems a cheaper option often isn't by the time you've had 4 sachets!

I also probably need to check with my gp they won't clash with either HRT or thyroxine.

Thanks for reading!

Yeah I pay around 30 quid a tub and go through a tub a month. I have stopped shedding as much though but not completely.

I have to deep condition my hair every other wash though as well which has helped control it better somewhat. Just wash, wrap head with towel to soak up, no rubbing. Put expensive conditioner out of a tub on, wrap up head in a towel for half an hour and rinse. A cold blast of water before rinsing as well.

It's a massive pain. I used to be proud of the condition of my hair. It was my best feature 😥

Yes I would check your thyroid medication is ok first as that might be having an impact

I'm not on HRT or collagen but I am going through menopause with dreadful hair and a few things have made a difference

Fish oil with vitamin D (in the morning), vitB12 drops and lectin (in the evening)

I honestly couldn't tell you what made my hair better but it's probably one of them!

Also the hairdresser recommended this which has also been great

www.kerastase.co.uk/ranges/regimen/genesis/genesis-fondant-renforcateur-conditioner/KER_00047.html

the my Zooki ones work for hair. Also look at MSM.

These replies are really helpful thank you.

Queen I've been on meds since start of the year so I don't think that's causing it although I'm going to mention it at my next review.

From what I've read so far it doesn't look as if collagen will cause issues with either that or HRT.

@tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz Ive not heard of any success with oral collagen, because what I have read is that it's 'useless' once it's been digested (and that it's a marketing myth to think that eating collagen means it gets to hair or nails.)

That's the bad news!

Plantur- I've started using this and the 'tonic' that you use on your roots in between shampoos. It does say results can take 2 months.

The biggest contributors to hair loss are thyroid issues (low or high) and low iron levels, and a low protein diet.

Are you having your thyroid checked regularly and your ferritin levels?

And eating enough protein every day?

I lost a lot of hair and assumed part of the menopause as in my 50's. However, I had a very low protein diet and once I dealt with this my hair went back to normal. So nothing to do with the menopause

I wouldn't try collagen till you've addressed if a thyroid issue, or ferritin, vit d or b12 issue.

Zinc can be an issue for people with low thyroid too - it won't grow back till that's replete.

Biotin and other b vits are also supposed to be helpful.

My hair is getting coarser as it greys and I've aged but the falling out was addressed by better ferritin, good thyroid levels (I'm hypothyroid), taking b12 and more oestrogen via hrt. I've been taking a little zinc at night too long term.

Don't take biotin for a few days/ week before a thyroid test as it can skew the results.

I've read in some forums that things like vit c, copper, zinc, silicone and biotin can be as effective for your body to help build its own collagen as collagen. Together health do a nice supplement but you also can't go wrong with berocca if you want to try that route. (Lots of copper in dark chocolate btw!)

I've given up with my hair 😥 I have always had very blond, sparse, fine hair. Almost like baby hair. I then started losing more and more, and now I don't stand under spotlights! I have tried everything. Evening primrose, I think, used to do some good, although I haven't taken any recently. Not sure I can take with HRT? Been on HRT for almost a year now, and my hair hasn't improved. I take a good multivit, vit d, and have a good diet. I think my hair might just be genetic.

That's interesting as I'm due a blood test to check my levels so I'll definitely get that looked at.

Yep eating protein every day.

I know several women who have great looking skin and hair since starting collagen. So it's very very tempting

Thanks everyone for adding your experience ... a bit more to consider I think and I'll definitely sit tight until I've had my thyroid check up. > steps away from Black Friday supplement sales <.

Cheers all

Bone broth or actual marrow from bones is the most bio-available way to get collagen

We all used to eat this stuff until we became obsessed with lean chicken breast.

Definitely no biotin before a thyroid test! Good luck

@tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz Actually......I take it all back :) I have just had a new read of some research and it seems that some collagen supplements may work! (Link to what you may buy)
They said that collagen dipeptide works best.

Coincidentally today I heard radio 4 advertising a new programs called sliced bread to air on Thursday; one if the things they're looking at is collagen supplements...

I have used youtheory collagen for at least a year and I think it is great for me, better hair and skin. Fairly good value. Available at Costco or Amazon.

Ooh thanks @WarriorN . Love a good podcast for the commute!

@KnittedCardi I have exactly that hair - it's infuriating - but like you, mine has always been fine, baby hair!

This is the series, I think it's the next one

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001f4xg?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

Morning wake up light's definitely used to help me fwiw. then I had children

I don't have advice in relation to menopause however have just started using vital protein collagen peptides which is mixed with hot or cold drinks 1-2 times daily.

It gets rave reviews for improving skin/nails but mainly hair. Reviews report it helping with hair loss and improving thickness and general healthy appearance.
Too early to tell if it's working for me but I'll keep on with it. It's tasteless and mixes well into drinks

I'm using vital as well. High in protein per serving as well so covers that base.

Going to come back to this later - thanks!

This is one of the powders I looked at. Originally all info seemed to point to marine collage being better as it's type 1 which has skin and hair benefits. However bovine collagen although type 2 (I think that's right?) benefits those areas and joints. And tends to be cheaper and is where the majority of research has been done.

Can I ask whether you use marine or bovine?

@tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz I use the bovine one only because the reviews I read mentioned a smell from the marine one and that's enough to put me off