Hair loss or hair shedding? I'm so upset. Losing so much every day :(

[AbsolutelyFudged]

Hi,

So I first started noticing a lot of hair loss when drying my hair about 4 years ago. My bath would be covered in it (hairdryer and mirror next to bath) but whereas I was a little concerned, I had so much hair and certainly didn't freak out, but then noticed my hair started looking very flat and then realised it was because it was thinning

Started taking vitamins and I think after a few months, I had some regrowth and slow down of the hair loss. I also had my ferritin levels checked recently and they're not dangerously low, but low enough to cause more hair loss. I started really upping my iron intake, both in food and also supplements, such as Floradix. I've been on Ferrous Fumarate for years, but I'm not sure this is absorbed into the body well.

Anyway, I was really feeling my hair was looking better and noticed (I think) lots of baby hairs, so thought I was seeing results.

However, over the last week, my hair has been coming out so fast. Every time I run my fingers through it, I get anything between 5 and 15 hairs and it's every time. When I brush, I get more and when I shower, it's the same. It just doesn't seem to stop.

I don't have any on my pillow in the morning, but I'm really worried this is turning into proper hair loss, as apposed to hair shedding.

Any advice?

Thank you

Hi there hope your doing better now I have exactly the same my hair is coming out all the time handfuls in the shower all over the floors it is devastating I had serious operation took clots in legs and lung afterwards infection in wound too was on blood thinners for months then took COVID also suffer heavy periods got mirena coil after three weeks had it taken out I was convinced that accelerated my hair loss it's a horrible thing to go through and believe me I have cried and cried but at end of the day I have to try to love myself and accept this is happening to me blood and thyroid was normal I guess after all I've been through in 2021 I'm lucky I've any left but here's hoping for all of us it's a better year x

I’ve just found this thread - and I’m so glad I have!
I’ve noticed over the past 2 weeks, my hair has really reduced in quantity! I supposedly had covid pneumonia in October and was in hospital for a couple of weeks, not washing my hair at all until the day before I left. Since then, it’s been fuzzy and lank looking.

But then last week especially, I noticed I was losing quite a lot on brushing and showering and now my pony tail is half the amount it used to be. I’ve got some plantur 39 from my mum which she’s never used and I’ve ordered the hair vitamins from H&B, which got good reviews.

The thing is, I’m not how I’ll work out why it’s falling out - there’s covid, monoclonal antibodies (one dose) I was given for covid which has been proven by Leeds uni to make your hair fall out, but hoping it’s more when used long term. There is the massive stress I’m under with DS who is barely eating (he has an eating disorder).
My age (mid 40’s) also could be factor i guess?

Maybe I should get bloods done too, like a pp.

OP hope your hair has started to regrow again?

I’m convinced that my third COVID booster (Pfizer) caused my hair to fall out. About a week after my booster, it was coming out in clumps when washing and brushing it.

Sorry to hear that Jules0702.
Mine defo isn’t that reason....as I haven’t had them.
Hope yours starts growing back soon.

I’m following this for tips as I’m in same position- also run low on ferritin and my GO has also said I should aim for Ferritin over 100 even though it comes back ‘normal’ at a much lower level

I feel for you . I have these periodic episodes of hair loss , mine was diagnosed as Telogen effluvium caused by the body being under some form of stress . Mind got so bad my derm put me on meds . He says he had patients that have the problems for many years
The medications settled it a lot but I’m currently experiencing another shed right now . The difference being that I’m getting new hairs whilst losing old , still it is flat
I’d ask my dr for a referral to a dermatologist if I were you . That way they can take a biopsy and see what’s causing it

Lysine helps a lot with iron absorption. I got my levels up really quickly with it. Have a google about it.

My sister had something similar and started a vitamin D protocol which has really helped. There's a Facebook group called vitamin D protocol (obvs!). You don't have to join but there is a page linked that gives you details of what to take. She saw an improvement. She's still taking all those tablets and has just started adding to her regime, collagen and vit C.

Someone upthread suggested fenugreek seeds - I did all the soaking and squeezing and ended up with a foul-smelling liquid that made my hair smell like something had died and gone rotten in there!
As to whether vitamin supplements or topical treatments are best - are you losing hair elsewhere on your body and are your nails rubbish? If so, go down the supplement/diet route as your body is deficient in something and a lot of the topical treatments (Plantur, Regaine, Nizoral) are very drying. Use good quality, sulphate-free shampoos and conditioners rich in argan oil, avoid hair dryers and straighteners and gently de-tangle rather than brush. Good luck.

sorry to ressurect this thread but i am also suffering. I am 38, and have been on betablockers for 6 months for heart issues, and i have low iron levels. I am willing to try anything because my hair is definitely coming out in clumps now.

@AbsolutelyFudged It's really frustrating, but now is the normal hair shedding season so it could just be that: See what its like in a month's time:

I hope everyone who posted on this thread in January is now walking round swishing their Beyoncé-like manes?

I had a hysterectomy in July and my hair is now falling out. I just had a phonecall with the GP and he's sending me for blood test to check Haemoglobin, ferritin, thyroid, oestrogen and testosterone.

I had hair loss before when I was anaemic and someone on MN recommended Florisene tablets. They're basically iron, Lysine and something else. I really think they worked. I've started taking those again.

I think this hair loss is probably due to low oestrogen, though, as I'm getting other symptoms too.

I'd also love to know what MSM is?

Is it this?

www.healthline.com/health/msm-for-hair-growth#side-effects

I also tried Viviscal tablets before and again, I think they worked but they're really expensive - around £50 a month.

Have you had your thyroid checked? High heart rate, anxiety, hair loss are symptoms of an overactive thyroid.

Are you now on HRT?

@DoingJustFine

Yes had it checked earlier in the year. No issues but I do have anaemia, serious arrhythmia and other post covid issues… but that’s another story!

If you think it’s iron you can pay for an infusion privately. I paid around £700 from memory precovid and my levels are now in their hundreds and should be okay for life.

otherwise my ‘go-to would be generic Monoxidil. Not expensive and proven to work

It's not just your Hb level, it's your ferritin level which can signify iron deficiency (the guage of iron source in the body): Do you know what this is?

@AbsolutelyFudged and others
I’d really like to understand if you got to the bottom of it ? I really hope so
I’ve been shedding for about 18 months now, though it has stopped for two periods of a few months.
no bald spots yet but previously thick hair now very lank and uneven.
every time I wash or brush I lose loads and I notice it falling off during the day. At my desk for example it keeps falling onto my keyboard.
I do have an underactive thyroid but take levothyroxin to correct it. Also taking iron and biotin supplements and using plantur 39 none of which help as far as I can tell.