Shedding loads of hair - help! :(

[eatsleepread]

I'm 46. My hair has always been my crowning glory; it's long, naturally blonde and wavy. I am also rather fat, so this isn't a stealth boast 
Thing is, I'd really appreciate your help with it, mumsnetters, as it's a bit of a nightmare. I don't mean the overall style or appearance of it. I mean the fact that I am shedding LOADS. It's embarrassing. The children I work with end up getting it on them , I can't see the bristles on the brush after brushing my hair, as the brush is so covered in hair, it blocks the plug hole in the shower, it gets in food even though I tie my hair back when preparing anything, my clothes end up covered.
Admittedly I don't brush it every day; usually just before I wash it. It goes frizzy when I brush it, you see. I have a beachy wavy look, if that makes sense, so it looks fine unbrushed anyway.

It is really getting me down.

Today a clump of it came out in class (it comes out at the ends).

I am ageing and it is thinning, and I'm finding it hard to come to terms with. I dread washing my hair, as I shed like a dog for a day or two after.

I am having blood tests on Monday to rule out anything untoward.

Does anyone have any advice? Perhaps a shampoo or hair product you'd recommend, to promote thickness?
Maybe a vitamin I could take that's good for this kind of thing?
I should add that this is a relatively recent issue.

Thanks in advance.

I've had post covid hair loss. It started about 3 months post infection, and at last (5 months after covid) it seems to be stopping. Ah the best OP, for most people it does grow back.

@princessTiasmum I use regaine yes, the foam for women which I think is the higher strength? It took 3-4 months to see results and to be honest, I can’t be sure whether my hair would have regrown the same way without it as my hair loss was temporary.

But I think the premise of it makes sense - it basically rushes nutrients to your scalp so surely it should make a difference? How long have you been using it? You’re right, it is bloody expensive!

Panic not! Shedding and thinning hair are different things! I had severe telegen effluvium after having sepsis. It was about 2 - 3 months after I fell ill. I honestly thought I was going bald and just sat crying while seeing my hair fall everywhere.. A visit to the docs later and he explained that a bad illness especially if fever is involved can disrupt the hair cycle, I was told not waste my money on miracle cures etc because it would right itself. After about 3 months I had a halo of new hair. I honestly don’t know how I had any hair left on my head but I did and any thinning was not noticeable to anyone else. It will be ok promise!

wingsnthat Thank you for your reply,i have had this for almost 2 years now,
Ther derm.did a scalp biopsy, and prescribed Dermovate steroid lotion, but it just seemed to get worse,so as a last resort,i bought some regaine, using for about 7 months now,my hair does feel slightly thicker, but it could be because, the hair i have got has grown a lot and covers the area,just from the crown down
To look at me from the front i look to have loads of hair,
I have been taking Biotin high strength for about a year,which made my normal hair grow almost overnight,i have to cut it about every 2 weeks or it would be down to my waist i think
I am also taking Vit D3 and others, recently started taking B12,
i KNOW MY FERRITIB IS OK, AS I HAVE hAEMOCHROMATOSIS, WHICH IS BASICALLY IRON OVERLOAD, SO HAVE TO HAVE A PINT OF BLOOD TAKEN EVERY SO OFTEN TO REDUCE THE IRON,
Sorry caps on by accident
I have also had Thyroid tests, all ok
Do you use the Regaine every night,or cut it down to every other night as i have seen some people do once it has kicked in?
I was told my hair would come back on it's own, but it didn't seem to be,as it was TE
I daren't stop using it in case my hair falls out again,but might try giving it a break if it gets back to normal