Advice on visibly thinning hair.

[MiniDoofa]

I’m in my early 40s. I used to have loads of hair, thinned after end of each pregnancy but came back again. In the last year it’s become visibly very very thin.
I was on antidepressants which I came off in April. My GP didn’t seem to think the hair loss was a side effect but I’ve read that it could be. Since then I’ve also been taking a hair, skin and nails supplement and using nioxin.
I can see some tiny hairs coming back but it’s still very thin with scalp visible.
I have one aunt who’s Hair is very very thin.
So I’m looking for advice- either on treatments or on what you think could cause this and whether it’s worth going back to the dr. It sort of seems quite trivial in the grand scheme of things but it gets me down.
Thanks in advance.

Anyone out there? 😀

I've always had fine hair but enough of it but I am the same age as you and my hair is very thin now and lots comes out in the shower when I wash it so only wash it twice weekly if I can get away with it.

I've put it down to peri menopause and am keeping an eye. There are hair thickening shampoos but haven't been brave enough to buy any. I read on here about some supplement that we can take but can't remember it now.

I saw a photo of me 15 years back with two plaits and I looked in the mirror at my one side plait and my one side plait of all my hair is thinner than one of my two plaits. My mum also thinned as she aged so think it's hereditary 😱😥

I saw a trichologist- maybe see if there's one in your area?

Try biotin, and make sure you aren’t anaemic. Many women are and it can really affect hair.
The Elvis Fibrology range is very good for thin hair. It seems to actually bulk each hair up.

Elvive!

Have you had your thyroid function tested? being hypothyroid can cause hair loss

Have a blood test. Mine showed a hormonal issue & I have been prescribed a hair regrowth stuff from doc.
Also trying to boost my iron.

(Wanders off to find wine, steak & spinach)

Check your ferratin (iron reserve) levels as low levels caused by heavy periods especially around peri menopause, lead to hair loss. That Bach flower liquid iron formula - can’t remember the name - is good at bringing levels up more quickly than tablets I found.

This happened to my MIL and she had low iron!

I recommend the Nioxin range. Been using it for a while as I had a gastric bypass and hair loss is a side effect. It's reasonably expensive but it's worked really well for me.

OP, if the hair loss is spread evenly across your scalp you really need to ask your GP for ferritin test and the result.
They will usually only flag it up if it is under 15 (if then). But there is research to show that ferritin needs to be over 50 to halt hair loss and over 70 for regrowth to occur.
If it is low and you can't tolerate with the ferrous sulphate the NHS prescribe, you can buy your own iron fumerate or bisglycinate which is easier on your digestive system! Take with vitamin C to help absorption.
Although this is written by a supplement company, I think it’s quite helpful: florisene.com/causes-of-hair-loss/
Although I think it’s important to have a ferritin test before supplementing with iron.

Thanks to everyone for your replies!! I will go back to my GP. My iron has hovered around the “low but not an issue” level for years so I do wonder if that could be part of the problem.
Thanks again