Lost 4 stone -YAY- but hair is falling out -ARGH-!!

[Retailqueenie]

So GP says I've got Telogen Effluvium - shock to system so hair falls out - through weight loss this year, its falling out in horrendous amounts, every bloomin day! Lost 4 stone over lockdown, which is great, but going bald is not so great..

I've googled treatments, found Kérastase Specifique Cure Anti-Chute Treatment but its £30 for 10 ampules..

Anyone had a good result with it or anything else? GP says it'll calm down but can take up to 6 months for body to adjust.

Hi op. I've had this. I would personally forget lotions and potions and concentrate on diet. How much protein are you getting? Try aiming for 60g a day - count up what you're getting now in my fitness pal, you might be surprised by how little you're eating. Best low cal high protein foods are white fish, shell fish etc and I love bacon. Good protein to calorie ratio! You could of course have protein shakes and snacks.

Also are you taking a multivitamin everyday, plus high dose vitamin D? Some people swear by a supplement called Biotin too.

Hair grows from the inside - save your money with the other crap.

Anaemia can make your hair thin/fall out. Did your Gp check for this?

Agree on both comments above! Protein and Iron.

you need real food.

Are you peri menopausal?
That can make your hair fall out too.

Nourkrin is good

Thanks Titsinknicks, I eat loads of protein (fish, shellfish, quorn, chicken - not much red meat) and a tonne of fruit & veg and have been using My Fitness Pal throughout so I know i'm getting enough of the good stuff. I have really cut down on carbs most of all.. I'm maintaining now, so not on such a reduced calorie intake..

I've started taking VitD, but no change as yet - hence my quest for a treatment..

Can I ask how long it took to stop falling out when you had it?

willowywillow yes, she checked for thyroid and iron - both fine.

Elieza yes, probably at 47!

Nosuchthingastoomuchcheese have you used this?

You could try a Hair and skin vitamin as you may be lacking in something there. Most supermarkets and chemists do their own version which is less expensive.

What about collagen powder? My Dsis swears by it she says she notices a big difference in her DH's hair and skin when he is taking it.
Also biotin too is worth taking - my hair is growing far quicker since I started taking it.

Weight loss in a short period of time is a trigger for Telogen Effluvium as is many other things. My hair started falling out early July and is starting to slow down...not great but getter better..fingers crossed. I had my bloods done and was low in iron and B12 which can both cause hair loss also had a baby early March. I did use a home hair dye 2 days before this started but my gp doesn’t think it’s connected as I am loosing hair from the roots. Stress is also a big one for hair loss. It sounds like your a healthy eater any way but I’m trying to get as many good hair foods in me as I can. Take biotin everyday and try and get as much sleep as possible. Don’t know if this helps but makes me feel better as I loose more hair when washing and brushing but only washing once a week. Watching this thread with interest.

Have you got any pics of how much you are loosing when brushing out of interest ?

I lost three stone over lockdown and same thing happened to me. I have stopped dieting for a while now and just trying to maintain even though I have more to lose. I needed to give myself a break! My hair has stopped falling out since I started taking it easier and it’s in just as good condition as it ever was, no long lasting effect. I’ll restart weight loss in the new year and really challenging myself to keep it steady and not regain before then. It does take a toll physically and mentally.

This is my jumper most nights

Its been a stressful year but I do think this is weight loss, it was steady though, 2lbs a week over about 6months.

Am looking into supplements, thank you so much everyone, it’s good to know it’s ‘normal’ - altho bloody frightening!

S111n20 thanks, Dr did say pregnancy triggers it too.. Have ordered some biotin, so will give it a try!

CaptainBrickbeard Well done!

The longer your hair is the worse it looks. I have very long black hair and looks like massive amount but actually it isn’t. Still very upsetting. It WILL get better. 💐💐💐

I've recently lost a significant amount of weight and experienced pretty severe hair loss.

A dietitian recommended continuing with the hefty multi vitamin supplement and extra strength cod liver oil capsules I'm already taking but also a selenium and zinc supplement (I've found a good one in Holland & Barratt called Immune Support) and it is working. Also, 2-3 Brazil nuts a day which are very rich in selenium and protein.

Hair loss has slowed down to normal levels and if beginning to thicken again.

Selenium and zinc are best taken together to maximise absorption.

Certainly worth a try.

Thanks S111n20 I hope so!

TeaAndCake did you see a dietician specifically about it? Interesting about Immune Support - will look that up, thanks.. Anything is worth a try, has your hair loss slowed down now?

TeaAndCake, sorry you did say its slowed down to normal levels..

I’ve had this with both pregnancies and with sudden weight loss (sadly I can’t regain that weightless mojo). Each time it happened about 3-4 months after the initial ‘shock’ and lasted about 2 months max. After that I had a pesky few months of baby hair appearing all over my scalp, ie, new growth. But it did always stop. My dd also had it after a big life saving operation when she was little. I’m sure you’ll be ok soon but 4 stone is a lot to lose so your body might take a while to adjust.

Thanks for the reassurance CoolShoeshine - this thread has really helped..

A silica supplimemt, my GPs suggestion, completely reversed my hairloss. The hair stopped falling out fairly quickly. It look about 8 weeks to see the little baby hairs growing back.

I lost 2 and a bit stone over about 3 months and had the same. Mine seems be recovering now fingers crossed.

Amazing work on your weight loss!

So relieved to hear this. I’ve just reached the 70lb mark and my hair is falling out at an alarming rate. When I run it falls out like confetti (slight exaggeration possibly). GP said it is normal and will grow back. Fingers crossed.

It’s either fat with hair or thin and bald....