What is causing this terribly distressing...

[Wuxiapian]

... hair loss?

I'm 30 and the past 2/3 years, my hair's become so thin and brittle.

I'm getting really quite depressed about it - my hair's horrible and a lot of scalp is visible no matter how I put my hair.

It's disappearing especially at the front/temples.

Anyone else suffering with this?

Is there anything I could do or take to stop it?

Many many thanks for any responses.

have you had your thyroid function checked?

You should go and see your Dr to rule out any medical reasons for the hair loss.

Do you play with your hair or brush it lots or tie it back tightly? All of these things are common reasons for hairloss (Stress alopecia) and if you stop then your hair should start to grow back. Have you recently had a baby? It's usual to lose quite a noticeable amount of hair in the year after. Are you dieting or have you changed your diet? Lack of iron can cause your hair to fall out. Your Dr will more than likely send you for a blood test so your iron levels will be checked.

I lost lots of hair after DS3 was born but it is growning back and the new hair is now about 4 or 5 inches long. I've cut lots off and it's now just under my shoulders which is long enough to keep it tied back. I've had it lightened with several shades of honey blond and the colours make it look like it's got a bit of depth. Could you do that? I also spray Tigi Bedhead Superstar Queen for a day thickening spray lightly over my hair when it's damp. It seems to coat each hair making it feel much thicker. Use it sparingly though. Tigi also make a thickening shampoo and conditioner. I've not tried them myself but if you're not already using a thickening shampoo then it might be worth a try.

Thanks for replies.

Disaster, no. I haven't had thyroid function checked. Would any problem be picked up by a simple blood test?

Amandoh, I do wear my hair back most of the time, but always have and always used to have beautiful, thick hair.

My diet hasn't changed at all, but recently started taking an (iron containing) mulitivitamin and primrose Oil supplement.

Had my son 10 years ago and even then didn't suffer with any hair loss.

My hair is naturally dark and I'd be worried that using any kind of colouring products could make my hair weaker.

Could anyone else offer any words of advice?
Thanks for reading.

Wuxiapian ~ Go and see your GP. We can offer you lots of advice but you need to find the root cause to find the right treatment.

Go on, ring now and make an appointment!

So, anyway, I went to Dr. He sent me for blood tests.

Thyroid, normal. Hormone levels, normal. No diabetes/liver or kidney problems.

Everything as it should be except I have a high prolactin level.

Does/has anyone else had this?

It's so strange as your prolactin level is high when breast feeding. Which, I am not. Dr asked if I had any discharge from breasts. I don't.

I've been referred to endocrinology department for further investigation.

Does anyone know what'll happen once I'm there?

Any words very much appreciated.

Wuxiapian - So sorry to hear about your problem - but I do know a bit about it. I arranged for my 17 year old son to go to doctor earleir this year ( and he protested like mad) because he had lost all his leg hair. Turned out he had high levels of prolactin and virtually no other hormones from pituitary in system - reduction of testosterone caused hair loss for him. What happens is bit of pituitary that produces prolactin enlarges for some reason and that stops it producing the other hormones. If you are female it can cause milk production and stop periods. They did an MRI scan on my son which showed pituitary enlarged and he has to take medication, probably for a year or so, to damp down the prolactin producing bit and cause it to reduce and then the other hormones should kick in again of own accord.
As enlarged pituitary can press on optic nerve and cause problems with vision and you also can get v. low blood pressure etc it does need sorting out - could well be somethig to do with your hair problem as it puts all your hormones out of kilter. Hope this is useful to you - let us know how you get on.

I'm on my way out but wanted to reply quickly. An enlarged pituitary gland is only one potential cause. PCOS can also cause high prolactin levels (other hormone levels can come back normal so just because you have had normal results does not mean this cause should be ruled out). A symptom of PCOS can be male pattern hairloss. A good endocrinologist will investigate this possibility. Good luck.

Thanks, higgle, Benjy.

Higgle, did they do the MRI on the first appointment and how's your son getting on now - is the medication working?

What am I to expect at the first appointment - do I need to take anything?

Am very nervous.

Many thanks for any replies.

Had my appointment at the Endocrinology clinic.

Consultant didn't seem to concerned about the high Prolactin level - said he's not sure why GP tested for it.

He sent me for repeat blood test. Will go back 27th Jan.

Lots more hair falling out in the meantime. I'm becoming extremely paranoid about it, almost at the point of not wanting to go out

Went for repeat blood test results at endocrine clinic.

Everything is as normal! I'm not sure if that's good or bad - what the hell is causing this hairloss?!

Dr said "it's just one of thoses things" and that was that!

I despair - losing hair at a much quicker rate now, too! It's really affecting my self confidence and I'm finding myself avoiding people.

Don't know what to do

So sorry to read this - you are obviously very distressed.

Have you consulted a dietitian or a dermatologist at all?

So sorry to read this - you are obviously very distressed.

Have you consulted a dietitian or a dermatologist at all?

This is meant to be good phyto I've used their products but not this one.

So sorry you are feeling so awful about this. I totally empathise.
I know someone who has had the intralace system (my mum?s best friend?s daughter) and she looks and feels so much happier. While I do not have any of the details and not seen her since Christmas, I do know that she feels the money is worth it. She had given up her job, found the school run every day traumatic and basically had become a recluse. Her DH "bought" her the treatment for her 40th birthday late last year and I saw her over Christmas. I did read something about it possibly being available of the NHS too when I clicked on the link further up the thread (it is the link that jogged my memory about X).

I do not know if you are at the stage where this is worth considering yet and maybe perservering with thickening shampoos, vitamins etc. But if you are considering cosmetic hair options, this really is worth a look. At least take comfort from the knowledge that there are a lot of women out there who are in your shoes and that there are a whole heap of potential solutions.

I had a lot of hair loss 2 years after my second child and know how horrible it is. Like you, my tests came back with nothing. A while on now and it has slowly thickened up again. I still check my hairbrush everytime I brush and cannot bear to look in a mirror when my hair is wet after washing, but it has grown back much better. You could find that in a few months time, the balance between falling out and regrowth re-establishes and it thickens naturally. If not, take heart knowing that there are still options available to you xxx

Thank you, all, for replies and links - am certainly at the researching stage.

Saw Dr again this morning - been referred to dermatologist.

Hairloss getting worse by the day. Trying not to let it interfere with everyday life, but it's becoming increasingly difficult.

Have an appointment with dermatologist 22nd april.

Seems like an age away and I dread to think how much (or little) hair I'll have left by then!

Has anyone been to a dermatologist for hairloss? If so, what happened at 1st appointment?

My fear is more blood tests, which'll turn out as normal and more time and hair gone.

Thanks in advance for any repsonses.

Wuxiapian I'm so sorry to hear that you're still losing hair. As I wrote in my earlier post I had the same problem for a while. I think my hair loss was due to having had another baby and a poor diet generally. It's still very thin but at least it's growing back which is something I really thought would never happen.

I took Nourkin for a while and still take iron tablets daily (When I remember). I've also found a fantastic conditioner which makes my hair feel lots thicker. They do a shampoo too but I've not tried it yet. Joico volumising conditioner. My hairdresser recommended it but I didn't hold out much hope but it works. Have you been to see a hairdresser? They might be able to advise you on a style that makes your hair look thicker. Is your hair long? Having it cut quite short might make it look less straggly. Less weight might cause less pulling on the hair follicles too so less falls out.

I know you have an appointment with a dermatologist but what about also booking in with a trichologist? Are you in or near London? Philip Kingsley now runs a popular hair clinic. The website is certainly worth a look.

I really hope all goes well at your appointment and you get some answers and help soon. Please keep us updated.