Another hair loss thread - how much hair do you lose?

[Hairlosswoes]

Hi,

So I know this is a really common problem, but I'm not sure if I'm over worrying.

I know I've lost quite a bit of thickness over the past 10 years. Probably lost a third to half of it actually, but that was likely due to undiagnosed, so untreated anaemia and then untreated low ferritin.

I take iron tablets every 2 or 3 days, what GPs now advise with absorption, I also take Floradix, Florisense tablets, vit d and have upped my vit c and iron in my diet.

I can't really see any regrowth. Maybe a few baby hairs, but I'm still losing loads. Well, I think it's loads anyway. When I run my fingers through my hair, I get anything between 5 and 20 hair come out, but when I wash it, it just doesn't seem to stop. From brushing, to washing, to styling. It's a constant stream or hairs.

I know up to 100 hairs a day can be a normal amount to lose, but if I'm not getting those hairs replenished, then it's only going to continue in one direction isn't it?

I have been taking iron for years and the other tablets and change in diets for several months.

Ferritin still under 30, which is probably the issue, but don't know what else I can do!

Any advice would be very much appreciated.

MTIA

My Ferritin was 8. I think it needs to be 70 for hair to grow
Some things that have worked for me
Tea rinsing before you wash your hair. Soak about 4 green tea bags, spray on your scalp, rub in and leave for 20 mins. Then pour the rest over in the shower, you won't lose 1 hair washing if you do this
Fenugreek seeds, soak them over night, and again spray on the scalp, leave for 20 minutes. This recipe as a hair growth mask is AMAZING
When I get lazy and stop I feel my hair falling out again. blackhairomg.net/super-hair-growth-oil-diy-recipe/
In fact all her recommendations are brilliant. I just don't use the henna as I have blond hair
Supplements, I use galfer Iron twice a day, Vit D, C , Biotin and MSM
Although from what I have read whay you put on your scalp is often more effective to what you take internally.
I also use Watermans grow me shampoo, I think it is good

@workshy44, thank you. So has your hair recovered?

I think I've always been put off by topical treatments, as I don't want my hair to look greasy. Some, like Bondi Boost, you're supposed to spray on twice a day!! A couple of times a week before washing, I could do.

Have you had tests to see why you are anaemic. If you could tackle that then the consequences of it might improve.

It has improved massively- my hair had been bad since I had kids and I just got extensions as I had plenty on top which is unusual. Then that started to fall out so thats when I panicked. Started taking the iron etc but to be honest that was months after the topical stuff and it had improved bigtime by then alone
I am probably never going to have normal hair but when I tell people I have extensions they are stunned and think I have great hair
If I knew how to post photos I would of the before and after !

@Mumski45, it's almost certainly my heavy (ridiculously so) periods.

@workshy44, that's great that you've had such good results! Do you know what you're ferritin levels are now? I'm due to have mine checked next week and tbh I don't know what I want then to say. If they're above 70 I'll be wondering why on earth my hair is still falling out/not growing and if they haven't really budged, I'll be wondering what is left for me to do!

To upload photos, you just click on the paper clip and then select the photo/file you want. Would be great to see!

Too much it seems, I wonder I'm not bald. 🙄

I take biotin and use Plantur shampoo and think they both help.

I take biotin also. It's hard to see an improvement in my hair but maybe there is as have lots of baby hairs.
I have however noticed a difference in my nails and lashes so maybe it's working 🤷🏻‍♀️

Hi, just thought I'd update.

For the past few days my hairloss has really accelerated and this morning when I was putting coconut oil on the ends, I got a full handful come out and then another handful when when I brushed it through before washing

I have been in tears this morning because I honestly don't know what else I can do! Diet and supplement wise, I get as much iron in as I can, so if it is low ferritin, I'm stuck.

I wouldn't mind if the regrowth stayed slow, it's the amount I'm losing. It's scary.

Gp won't refer me to a dermatologist because I don't have bald patches and assumes it's down to my low ferritin, but if I'm doing more than ever to help that, why would it actually get worse?!

OP I would make an appointment with a trichologist - they are experts on hair.

@BatshitCrazyWoman, can you actually do that? Can you self refer?

Have you tried changing your shampoo/conditioner? I've had hair loss due to anaemia and hormones, but some shampoos also make me shed like crazy.

@WeRateSquirrels, I actually hadn't until recently when doing a stupid amount of obsessive research. I always assumed hair loss shampoos must be snake oil, but now I realise how important the scalps health is for hair growth.

Currently using L'Oréal Colour Protect (the red bottle) and have been for a long time now. Can you recommend any?

[quote Hairlosswoes]@BatshitCrazyWoman, can you actually do that? Can you self refer?[/quote]
Yes, you can.

You will have to pay though.

[quote Hairlosswoes]@WeRateSquirrels, I actually hadn't until recently when doing a stupid amount of obsessive research. I always assumed hair loss shampoos must be snake oil, but now I realise how important the scalps health is for hair growth.

Currently using L'Oréal Colour Protect (the red bottle) and have been for a long time now. Can you recommend any?[/quote]
I haven't tried any shampoos aimed at promoting hair growth. What I have noticed is that the gentler and fancier the shampoo is, the more likely I am to experience hair loss. My scalp seems to really need a good scrub with a sulphate containing shampoo at least once a week. The absolute worst for me is any sort of co-washing product - so much shedding

Have been shedding horribly recently and only just linked it to a shampoo/conditioner. Switched back to a cheap shampoo a couple of weeks ago and it's better already.

I have lost almost half my hair and I think it is largely due to low ferritin (fluctuates between 11 and 18) which I don't seem to be able to get up any higher. I find doctors are very dismissive of hair loss and have no curiosity at all of finding out the underlying cause. I have spent a lot of money on specialists and shampoos (many recommended by MNers!) but haven't noticed any difference. And the shedding continues.

I can't offer any advise re the ferritin levels but some general tips I've picked up include silk pillow cases and/or silk hair wraps for sleeping, silk bobbles and making sure you aren't tying your hair too tight. What kind of brushes are you using? I really rate tangle teezers and wet brushes. Could you cut your hair shorter to avoid tangles?

I imagine getting your levels up would make the most difference, silk pillows aren't going to stop the extreme fall you describe but they may help a little. Also I used to use coconut oil on my hair but I read it's actually really not an ideal product to use, especially neat.

Can you afford a private consultation to look at an iron infusion? The Iron Clinic have lots of information on their FB page both about infusions and other tips to best absorb ferritin. Can you take anything for the periods? I wanted a non hormonal approach and find Tranexamic acid works for me.

My best friend is a consultant dermatologist and she was v interested in what I was doing as in her words in reality "we have nothing for people"
Get a scalp massager- Watermans grow me shampoo- do the recipes I posted. They really all worked for me - they may not for you but they won't hurt. Also get a scalp massager.

I have posted in many threads about hair loss, my ferritin is good because i have Haemochromatosis,[iron overload] so that problem for me,i have tried every shampoo./vitamin etc,and still nothing,i have several bald patches, and saw a dermatologist who said it was Telogen Effluvium, and stress related,had a scalp biopsy, didn't show any reason why this was happening, he gave me some Dermovate lotion, which didn't work, and recently [well for the last 9 months ] used minoxidil, which is supposed to be the only thing that will regrow hair, that isn't working either,
Minoxidil is very expensive and you have to keep using it forever,
I don't know what to do next, really fed up ,
My hair did seem to stop shedding, but started again now, mainly when i wash it
I have heard about Grow me shampoo, dome seem to have good results but not others
I think it might help with shedding, but not regrowth
My daughters is shedding a lot, she is in the meno pause, but it seems worse since she started HRT,

Hello
Thanks to Workshy I did the green tea spray thing. I hate washing my hair as so much comes out but it was amazing!
I leave a trail of hair wherever I go so this was an easy fix. Still falls out but nowhere near as much.
Secondly my hair used to fall A LOT more than now and it's because I have an autoimmune disorder. If I have gluten handfuls come out in one go it is severe. Jury is out on whether dairy affects me too, probably does but I'm also perimenopausal.
I use rosemary oil before shampooing. Instead of iron supplements I have a spoon of molasses on an empty stomach in the morning which seems to keep my iron levels on an even keel.
Too much and I get joint pain. It's a ruddy balancing act.

@workshy44

My Ferritin was 8. I think it needs to be 70 for hair to grow Some things that have worked for me Tea rinsing before you wash your hair. Soak about 4 green tea bags, spray on your scalp, rub in and leave for 20 mins. Then pour the rest over in the shower, you won't lose 1 hair washing if you do this Fenugreek seeds, soak them over night, and again spray on the scalp, leave for 20 minutes. This recipe as a hair growth mask is AMAZING When I get lazy and stop I feel my hair falling out again. blackhairomg.net/super-hair-growth-oil-diy-recipe/ In fact all her recommendations are brilliant. I just don't use the henna as I have blond hair Supplements, I use galfer Iron twice a day, Vit D, C , Biotin and MSM Although from what I have read whay you put on your scalp is often more effective to what you take internally. I also use Watermans grow me shampoo, I think it is good

@workshy44 do you use this on straight/wavy hair or is it strictly for type 4 hair as per the link?

Thats brilliant Cassavaflower
Try the fenugreek seeds too- it is supposed to be great for growth.

JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon; My hair is wavy and blond so I use it all apart from the henna

MSM makes your hair grow really fast too. A big issue i had was severe breakage, like someone took a cheese grater to it and it made it grow over an inch a month

Thanks @workshy44 I am going to try some of that.

Thanks for all the tips and insight so far.

@Uptoongirl, do you know why that is, regarding the coconut oil. Tbh it's just something I do, because I'm always told how good it is, but my hair always feels a bit dry afterwards.

@workshy44, I was looking at some green tea rinsing on YouTube and it's all quite conflicting. Some say use decaf, even though they've just explained that it's the caffeine that does the job 🤔 and most seen to be saying to wash your hair first, then add the tea and rinse with cool water.

I really don't like the idea of leaving it in my hair and not shampooing it out. Also, does green tea stain the hair at all? I have highlighted hair (naturally dark brown) and am worried that it will tint my hair.