Hair loss

[WelshMoth]

I'm losing hair at a pretty significant rate - drain blockage in shower, back is covered - I no longer wear it down because it looks thinner and straggly.

Been to Docs and had full blood test (thyroid, iron etc) but I called them yesterday but was told all is well, no further action. Bit gutted about that tbh - was hoping they'd find a reason for the loss.

What can I do?

I follow Emma Guns and know she has suffered from hair loss, she talks about it on her podcast and gives good advice.

I feel your pain - £200+ on Nourkrin and Viviscal over the last year have made no difference to my scarily visible temples, so don't waste your money there...

I'd push for a dermatologist referral or consider seeing a trichologist.

Minoxidil has worked really well for me but it's not something I'd want to be using without some medical person having a look as everyone reacts differently and it isn't suited for everyone and you need to continue using it to maintain results.

I know my hair loss is related to PCOS (believe the same as Emma Gunn mentioned above) and that will make a difference in treatment as well.

High dose vitamin d can also be helpful, but again see someone medical about that. Getting in enough Omega 3 is another factor.

Even though it feels counter intuitive, cutting hair shorter will make it look better.

I too feel your pain op,i have had quite a lot of hair loss,,
My Dr gave me some steroid lotion which does help some people, but after i went on Evoral Conti HRT,it came out loads more
Are you on any hormones? HRT or contraceptive pill ?
Hormones can be a lot to do with hair loss,
Certain hormone treatment have stronger progesterone in them ans EV is one of them
I have been taking Biotin for a few months, and my hair i have left is growing like weeds, so have my nails
I also take zinc, , and Vit B 12,plus Vit D
What age are you?

Mine was a combo of the pill and stress. It does come back, don’t lose hope! Biotin is really good stuff

I'm 46, periods still going strong and no HRT or pills/medication.

My diet isn't great lately.

Thanks everyone. Maybe biotin is worth a go.

Washing it is a pain. It seems so dry and impossible to brush the tangles through.

I also take Omega 3,there is nothing much i don't take as regards hair ,
I think mine could be stress related as it seemed to happen really suddenly and i have had very stressful 2 years, plus a relationship breakup, that did affect me badly,
I have thought about minoxidil, but for now wearing a hat, looks like the sixties ones with a peak, and going to see about getting somekind of hairpiece
My Dr said all my tests were fine except for folic acid,i have googled this and apparently shortage can affect hair, so now taking folic acid
Cant think why he didn't think of this too
My Dr did say if it's stress related it will grow back

According to what i read a few days ago,and sorry cant remember where,i have read a googled so much, you need lots of protein, zinc eggs,meat, also oily fish etc

Thanks for your advice and sorry you're experiencing this too. I'll up my vitamins definitely and will make a list of what your taking.

I got my results over the phone with the receptionist and she said "no further action". I was a bit gutted that a GP wouldn't see me to discuss this further but alas, that's how it is.

I've had a really stressful year end at school - challenging comp with worsening behaviour - the stress is definitely an issue.

You can ask for a copy of your results. Might help you to see and do your own research.
I had blood tests before and they said the same so I asked for results, it showed I was on the high end of normal cholesterol so it’s worth checking.

@Bloodycats - thanks. I didn't have the chance to ask but I think I'll telephone them now.

It’s worth noting that normal hair loss increases at this time of year, all the way up to Christmas. I remember reading something written by a trichologist to this effect and it chimed with me as I panic every August that all my hair is falling out. Apparently losing between 50 and 100 strands of hair a day is completely normal, and 100 strands looks like a lot! So if it’s sudden it could be partly due to seasonal moulting.

Oh ok Jenga - that's worth remembering. Thanks!

I read that it's your ferritin levels that need to be checked and I don't think that's part of a routine blood test.

@MyFavouritePlace ferritin was ticked - I had a quick look at the slip.

I have ferritin checked every 3 weeks, as i have Haemochromatosis,[iron overload, ] and told ferritin is within range, but it could be the lower end of in range, thyroid checked

I’ve been losing a lot of hair for around 18 months or so now. Had all the blood tests and nothing. When I look at pictures it’s obvious how much more hair I had. My hair is fine anyway but getting even worse now. My hairdresser said last time she can clearly see new hair growing, definitely not from breakages but from the roots. Not sure if it will make much difference though. No advice sorry, but you’re not alone.

I did expect some thinning, at my age, but this isn't just thinning all over,it is in patches, to look from the front i look to have lots of hair, so it isn't seasonal loss

I agree with pushing for a dermatologist referral!
However, in the meantime what has helped me greatly is to include lots of protein in my diet (I actually have a protein shake every day), taking Gelatine powder daily and doing regular scalp massages with tiny drops of peppermint and bergamot essential oils. Good luck OP, it really sucks!

Have you been stressed? When my sister was widowed she lost a lot of hair, but it was only temporary, she now is back to her thick hair. Meanwhile try using a tangle teaser. I find I lose less hair to the brush than when using a normal brush.

I've had two periods when I lost a lot of hair (and it took forever to grow back). Both were stress related.

You need to try and find a way to manage your stress if possible. And improve your diet!

I tried biotin but it makes my skin breakout horrendously. A common side-effect of taking biotin apparently.

Yes definitely check ferritin. I’ve had quite a few full blood count checks and knew I wasn’t anaemic, but a recent check included ferritin which was much too low at 26 (should be 80 for hair growth). The U.K. cut off for low ferritin is 20 which is quite low & will return a “normal” result.

My ferritn has been consistently low, and i get very annoyed when i am told it is within range, which could be anything well below 100
If it was low occasionally i couldn't argue, but it has been as low as 8, and told it's fine
I rang my Consultant a couple of months ago and said until have seen him i'm not having any more blood tests, as i should have seen him almost 2 years ago, so got an appointment for next month,
My ferritin builds really slowly, but drops very quickly if i have blood taken,like by 100 at a time,so taking Spatone as well,

If you've been under lots of stress and all the bloods are normal it's probably telogen effluvium - the hair will regrow itself but it will obviously take a while to look thick again.
(Doctor)

Protein and multivitamins with minerals.

Have a close look at your diet. My fitness pal has a section where you can check protein etc to see if you’re getting enough a day. It’s free.