Hairloss

[Inlovewithchocolate]

Hi. I need help. I am 54 and losing hair like crazy. I have had bloods all checked and everything is normal, thyroid, iron, ferritin even had b12 checked. Ive lost over 50% already and doesnt seem to be stopping. any ideas would be much appreciated.

Could it be due to being menopausal? Ask your GP about HRT or a referral?

My gp told me to take a selenium supplement (its in hair and nail vitamins). I was really surprised at how much of a difference it made and how quickly it took effect.

Thanks for your replies. I take a good multi vitamin. b complex, Vit D3 MSM... Im taking lots of vitamins eating healthy but nothing is working. dont really want HRT because of the other health issues it can cause
But may try taking a seperate selunium tablet.

Do you think it could be alopecia? Is it coming out in patches?

I dont think its alopecia. Its all over loss.

I have thinning hair due to medication. My hairdresser recommended nioxin- it has really helped thicken my hair for past 18 months. Might be worth a try?

It seems to be very common post menopause and I really sympathise - it's been by far the most distressing side of ageing for me (and I thought jowls were bad).

I've found it's slowed down since I started takin an Omega 3 supplement, although of course that might have happened anyway. I've also seen Zinc recommended but haven't tried it myself yet.

I use Aussie volume shampoo and find it does what it says on the tin, although it's obviously just cosmetic. Boots do a shampoo which I've just bought to try - the name escapes me but I'll check when I get home.

However - and you may not want to hear this - I've found the most helpful thing of all has been thinking through the worst case scenario. I've instructed my hairdresser that if it gets really bad, he is to shave my head. I will wear men's hats or hair wraps (Zadie Smith) and yes, go bald. Sorry if that's distressing but I feel so much better for having a plan, even though I hope I never have to use it.

Yes I agree it is a problem for many and GP's do not take it serioulsy, they say it is cosmetic. Its demoralising to lose all your hair when you have had lovely thick hair all your life. I have even looked into wigs as an alternative. All the supplements I take are having some impact as my hair on my legs is growing faster lol

Hi
I have been experiencing hair loss now for 3 years, I have tried everything, every lotion, every potion, every tablet and multiple different HRT's and nothing has worked.

I have spent a fortune on various things.
My bloods are fine, I have had them tested 4 times just in case.
My doctor says its your age.

I have now got less than half the hair that I had will eventually get a wig and shave my hair off.

Big hugs

I agree it's immensely demoralising, especially as it's not talked about that much (everyone bangs on about wrinkes instead) so it comes as quite a shock. I'm convinced a lot of 50+ celebs must wear wigs. There's a thread around about Stevie Nicks and my first thought when I saw her photo was 'no way is that her own hair'.

I tried Viviscal nearly two years ago and it's made a huge difference. You have to take two to begin with for 6 months and then one a day after that. I still take one every day. It's pricey but I always buy when there's an offer.

No help with helping to grow your hair back but the nanogen fibres are really good for if you have a special occasion and want your hair to look fuller.

Same problem here and I am at the point where I don't like touching or styling my hair because it is so thin. Has anyone tries the caffeine shampoos-did they make a difference?

Similar experience here but GP did take it seriously and referred to a dermatologist. She found my ferritin level at 35 was too low to support hair health and vitamin D very low. She prescribed ferrous fumerate 125 mg twice a day and vit D 2000 mg a day. It took. About 10 months to see any progress but it stopped shedding and thickened up a bit. Now 2 years on its a lot better. She said ferritin should be 70 at least. Can you ask your GP what your ferritin level actually is. I wasn't anaemic but at 35 it was too low to help hair problems. Also could you ask to have vitamin D checked if it's not been. You can buy supplements fairly cheaply.

My ferritin is 99 which is very good. I supplement with Vit D already. I also take Viviscal. So I am doing as much as I can. |t started after i was bitten by mosquitos. Am i thinking too much into this or could there be a connection or just coincidental

I've no idea about mossie bites possibly affecting it. I would really push for a dermatology referral. Youre doing all you can and while no one died of thin hair it really does cause a lot of misery. If there is any way you can fund it yourself that would be good as I had a really long wait on NHS as it's not urgent.

I am losing hair and it's much thinner than it was, every time I wash or brush it tons fall out. I think it started when I started dying my hair regularly, I was wondering if something in the hair dye is too strong for my hair? I know very little but I was wondering whether to try henna to cover greys and see if it made any difference?

My impression (assuming of course that there is no underlying health condition) is that thinning hair post menopause is part of the ageing process and that you're no more likely to get a referral than you would for wrinkles. Different situation if you're younger. I'd love to hear of any exceptions but this has been my experience and also that of friends my age and older.

And of course it's why so many of us opt for that short haircut that's much derided by so many younger women on here. It's why I don't think we talk about it enough.

Re caffeine shampoo - I didn't get on with it myself, in fact it made my hair look lank and lifeless and therefore even thinner than it really was but obviously we're all different.

same here the caffeine shampoo made my scalp really sore.

I hate it when the wind blows or waiting for a tube and my hair blows around, you can really see how thin it is then.

When I am on holiday, I don't get it wet in the pool or sea, cause it looks awful and my scalp shines through like a beacon.

I was thinking of seeing a tricologist. Has anyone used Philip Kingsley products.

I've not tried Philip Kingsley although eyed it up a few times.

The hair loss shampoo I mentioned upthread is called Natur Vital, available from Boots. I haven't started using it yet and, if I'm honest, I'm sceptical but would be delighted to be proved wrong!

I have hair loss (alopecia areata) as a side effect of illness. When it was really thin, my hairdresser advised me to bob it (it was waist length) as the weight of long hair can make it worse. I bobbed it but it still fell out so it's now shaved and I have a small pink Mohican

So it might be worth cutting it shorter if it's long. Sympathies, I'm don't even wear make up so you can tell I'm not arsed about appearances really, but I found it very distressing, especially when it came out in handfuls. The hair fibres are meant to be good but I've not tried them.

Ok I took the plunge and bought Philip Kingsley products. Will update with results as I find them

I used to have gorgeous thick hair and now at 37 years old it is definitely thinning. Feel a bit sad about it, I've really let myself go after my fourth child two years ago

I had all my bloods done, everything came back fine.
There was a thread a few weeks ago and I posted a shot of my hair.

I take ionic selenium every day. I also take silicolgel for stomach problems. This has silica in which is much needed by the body.
I take supplements every day. I take nascent iodine, 1 drop a day, vit d3, you name it, there not much I don't take.
My hair loss has definitely slowed down.
I'm 65. Hair still longish and going grey ...argh!