Hair shedding loads again :( Thought I'd found a solution

[StrongCoffeeandPastries]

Hi,

So I've been losing loads of hair for the past 5 or 6 years, but because I started with very thick hair, it wasn't really obvious, although it is definitely quite a lot thinner. I'd say I've lost at least a third.

My ferritin is quite low at under 30, although classed as 'within normal range', but I'm pretty sure this is what is causing the hair loss. My periods are INCREDIBLY heavy, so the low ferritin is tied in with that.

I'm on Ferrous Fumarate, take Floradix, Florisense and didn't really see a difference with this, but I started using green tea on my scalp and alternated that with castor oil mixed with coconut oil and for a few weeks, my shedding really slowed down. I'd say by 70 or 80%, so very happy. I had heard that sometimes topical products can be more effective with excessive shedding, but I was still surprised how much it seemed to help.

Anyway, this past week the shedding has basically gone back to how it was before. Bloody loads Filling the hairbrush, at least 5-10 hairs every time I gently run my fingers through my hair and after I have shampooed my hair and put on conditioner, that's when the most seemed to come out.

I did have an exceptionally super heavy period this month, so maybe my interventions just couldn't cut it this time??

I'm hoping this is just a set back. I'm sat here with my usual green tea tonic on my scalp, waiting to go in the shower and I'm absolutely dreading washing my hair and seeing how much comes out.

If anyone has had success with these interventions, have you had set backs? Were they tempory? I know we're all different, but still.

TIA

Have you had your thyroid checked?

Also B12/folate & Vitamin D issues can cause thinning hair. As can peri menopause.

@Idontlike, yep - all the above. Although I don't know if I'm peri. My periods are regular, just incredibly heavy.

Just giving this a bump

I was anemic due to very heavy periods. Hair started falling out before I had my iron infusion and continued for around 5 months after but has slowed down. I can see regrowth also, which is good.

@Milomonster, I'm not sure I'd be eligible for an iron infusion, as I'm not anaemic (anymore) and my ferritin is within normal range. I did once contact an iron infusion clinic just for a bit of info and was bombarded with constant phone calls, texts and emails, so was a bit put off tbh.

Another hair shedder and low ferritin sufferer here.
Are you sure it isn't just the time of year? I lost a lot of hair post covid infection in May, the hair shedding stopped for a few weeks in September but it is falling out again now. I just put it down to the usual Autumn moult.

@samthebordercollie, I don't know really, because I only really seemed to have a couple of weeks where I wasn't shedding like a hound! Do you know what your ferritin level is now?

Im not sure exactly, but It's usually 18 to 28, always on the low side because I run a lot so lose iron through sweating.

@samthebordercollie, whaaaat?! I had no idea that you lose iron through sweat! I've just started working out again and one of the reasons was for circulation as I heard that increased circulation can help with hair growth. Bloody hell

@StrongCoffeeandPastries What working out do you do? I think it is worse for endurance athletes, and runners in particular
www.endurancesportsnutritionist.co.uk/iron-deficiency-and-endurance-athlete/
I'm 55 and haven't had a period for 5 years but yet I'm still iron deficient. I don't eat a lot of meat so that doesn't help either!

@samthebordercollie, I've literally just started this week, but I'm certainly not endurance athlete level Mainly just yoga and general cardio, reps etc

Thanks for the link btw.

Im sorry to read this... has anyone trued Biotin products ? I see those advertised to target hair loss but was never sure how successful it was 🌸

There was an interesting podcast on hair loss by a GP who spécialisés in trichology on Dr Rupy's kitchen podcast series (#69)

podcasts.apple.com/fr/podcast/the-doctors-kitchen-podcast/id1316938642?i=1000491402077
I remember her saying that the only really proven treatment for hair loss was Viviscal.

@samthebordercollie

There was an interesting podcast on hair loss by a GP who spécialisés in trichology on Dr Rupy's kitchen podcast series (#69)

podcasts.apple.com/fr/podcast/the-doctors-kitchen-podcast/id1316938642?i=1000491402077
I remember her saying that the only really proven treatment for hair loss was Viviscal.

very interesting ... thank you for sharing

Has your GP investigated the heavy periods or done anything to treat them? I have endometriosis. A couple of years ago my ferritin dropped to 13, I felt rough! Also shedded hair. But mine went up pretty quickly on iron tablets - like 55 after a month and last count was over 100.

I was just thinking that they’re treating the symptoms and was wondering if they should be sorting the cause. If you can take NSAIDs, something like mefenamic acid can minimise period blood loss as a temporary solution. However if everything you’re on isn’t doing enough to help it, I’d be pushing for a gynae referral.

I was also thinking if you treat the periods the iron can recover.

@QueenBee52, I think there's biotin in the Florisense.

@samthebordercollie, thanks - will listen later, although I'm very surprised about Viviscal being the only proven treatment. Even over Nioxin? Not one I want to try.

@DontSettleForMe, I've been offered various things to help - the pill, Mirena coil etc and one GP did suggest an op to check for endometriosis, but it's so invasive. I really didn't want a GA. If it was a LA, I might feel differently, but then saying that, I do know of quite a few women who get the diagnosis, but then treatment isn't particularly successful. I was tempted to take the tablets the slow the blood flow down, but I know a lot of GPs don't like to prescribe then on a long term basis and there must be a reason for that. It would be pointless to take it just for a moth or two.

Was looking into an ablation, but it doesn't look like I'd be a suitable candidate as I've had a c section and previous PID infection. A long time ago, but don't think that helps.

I had suspected Endo for years. It was only chronic abdo pain that pushed me to get a laparoscopy. I’m really glad I did though. For me, I felt okay after the surgery (only a bit post-op sore), recovered pretty quickly and was back to work within 3 weeks after months off with the pain and it made a big difference to my symptoms. Have they even done an abdominal scan? I would encourage you to consider asking for a gynae referral and a scan. It could be Endo of course, but it could be other things like a fibroid. I’d also consider taking the blood flow tablets as a short term option to help get your ferritin up and give the meds chance to work maybe? But that’s me!

I think the ferritin level needs to be above 60 or 70 to start regrowth. As a vegetarian who has periods I struggle to achieve this. I've been in a cycle of loss and pause for over a decade. My hair is still thickish, but was insanely thick originally. This thread is reminding me to get my iron levels checked again!

The range for "normal" is so huge. I've never been classed anaemic but at the lower end end of normal I feel terrible.

@DontSettleForMe, did you have the endo removed? I have had scans, but they found nothing. I am definitely tempted by the blood flow tablets, but surely my ferritin will just drop back down again once I stop taking them.

Yes I didn’t have a large amount fortunately (disproportionate to the amount of pain I’d been in, I was in agony!). I just had some diathermy where they basically burnt the Endo away. I suspect I probably have Adenomyosis too but they can’t confirm that unless they remove the womb, not something I’m ready to do at 40.

I had v heavy frequent periods which resulted in low ferritin. I lost a lot of hair & felt awful. I went on the pill over a year ago and it has helped immensely to regulate & reduce the blood loss.

Im starting to see an improvement in my hair now. My gp said levels need to be above 100 for hair growth, so I guess Ive reached that finally!

I got an iron infusion and had a massive amount of regrowth after that. However the medication they then put me to stop periods so I could keep iron levels up causes hair loss. It’s a lose lose really. Periods that mean I can’t leave the house for a week every month and hair loss due to low iron or hairloss due to medication

I take transexamic acid to lessen my very heavy periods. It works a treat and I now just have fairly normal periods without the flooding etc. I take ferrous fumarate and will be having a mirena coil fitted soon so hopefully my periods will stop altogether (I'm 48).