Female hair loss - please help

[Toooldtopretend]

For the past 12 months I have been losing a lot of hair and now it’s starting to look really thin at the front and my hairline (which was already high) is receding. I am really upset and worried about this. I’ve been using Plantur 39 caffeine shampoo and taking vitamin d but it’s not helping.

I’d really appreciate advice from anyone who has been through this. Could HRT help if I saw my doctor? Should I go to see a tricologist/what do they do? Any experience of Hair Solved and their “system”? I’m desperate to do whatever I can to sort this before it gets worse.

I lost my fringe in my early 40’s. I went to the GP who just told me to take iron. The hair never grew back, so I’m interested in your replies, although it’s been many years since I lost mine now.
HRT has not grown it back.

How old are you?
HRT hasn’t helped me, despite various combinations. But it has helped some women. Don’t waste money on a trichologist, they’re often just a hairdresser that’s done a course & will sell you expensive supplements you don’t need. People will also say check your iron & ferritin, mine were both fine.

I paid & saw a private dermatologist, who did a thorough assessment & gave a diagnosis. She did say the only proven treatment was minoxidil & was happy to prescribe but mine was only mild then. I have had some success by changing to a better shampoo & looking after my scalp, dermarolling & stopping omeprazole. I have looked into lots of things just in case in the future & if you are going down the hair system route please look at iconicf*kin hair on instagram. Their work is amazing, the best I’ve seen.

I would go to your GP, toooldtopretend. There are several different conditions that can lead to hair loss, and the GP would be able to advise you about which cause was likely, and run any tests that might be appropriate.

I would strongly recommend you NOT to see a tricologist. I don't think it is a legit discipline. They would either sell you fake remedies (of which there are many), or simply advise improved nutrition, which is something you can work out for yourself (and which is unlikely to help in any case unless your diet is really terrible at the moment).

I have had alopecia since I was 12, so I have gone round the block a bit with fake remedies. My parents took me to a tricologist, and I can still remember how guilty I felt that I was causing them to spend money on such a fraud. He sold them a special cereal that was meant to help me with constipation. To improve my hair?? WTF??

I found biotin tablets helped thicken my hair up again. They are not all the same strength, you need a good dosage. I take these ones from Boots www.boots.com/boots-hair-formula-biotin-90-tablets-10326826?cm_mmc=bmm-buk-google-ppc--LIAs---_-pmax_health__gg_shopping__lia___pmedia&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAA-AdmwTI68pjTg77vuIOahOWkXEIc&gclid=CjwKCAjw_4S3BhAAEiwA_64YhkDTQWp538_7iEfYHWCUp1c9lBiQ4FGG9MA5ry8xp4EJ70d_IbuG4hoC4lgQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Agree with biotin. Also get your b12 and iron tested. I pay privately for b12 injections.

But just be aware that bioton is only a vitamin supplement. Unless your diet is deficient in B7 it can't help. And if you have a medical condition (other than vitimin B7 deficiency) that is causing your hair loss it won't help

I would ask gp for blood tests and/or dermatology app. See if you are low in iron, see if gp will test for auto immune diseases. I found out some of my hair loss was caused by Coeoiac disease and I had no symptoms but it stops absorption of vitamins ie iron. Also, make sure you eat plenty of protein. I saw a tricologist who set all that in motion for me so hopefully saved you an apointment with one. If age related hair loss a tricologist can recommend minoxidil products. Good luck.

Thank you everybody for your replies - it’s all really helpful advice and much appreciated. I’m 47 but I don’t go to the docs much, am generally very fit and healthy and was worried about wasting their time, but this does make me think that there are tests that would be worthwhile. I feel like I’m suddenly falling apart - previously I was worried about going grey, now I’m scared I’ll have no hair grey or otherwise 😭

Ah same age as me. I did see the GP & had full bloods-all normal. GP did say the nhs don’t test for the metals & minerals we need magnesium,zinc etc so I supplemented those. She also said the wait for an nhs dermatologist was 2 years & they wouldn’t accept a referral for mild hair thinning anyway. Hence me paying private & even that Dr was a bit dismissive if I’m honest. Some of the private hair clinics will prescribe all sorts but they are £££. Good Luck.

Thank you-did the minoxidil help? Is that something a GP can prescribe or would I have to see a dermatologist? There’s so much conflicting information out there and at the moment I feel like I’m clinging to anything and would pay whatever to try to sort this.

I noticed the thinning this time last year, I had been through a major stressful time so I left it 6 months to see if it would improve, it didn’t. It didn’t get any worse either though. I have seen a small improvement since I stopped omeprazole, supplemented with magnesium & zinc & massively upped my protein. I also stopped sleeping with my hair damp or tied up. The improvement isn’t enough for me though so I started the topical foam 2 weeks ago, the dermatologist suggested it. She wrote to the GP stating if I can’t get on with it the GP could prescribe the oral tablet on a low dose. It’s frustrating cos my hair is still growing fast, just the thin bits grow in grey which makes it look thinner.

I was on HRT for my perimenopause symptoms for a while but it didn’t do anything for my hair, so I stopped and decided to try a more natural route instead. I started taking smooth as silk plus. It’s mainly for vaginal dryness but since it’s packed with omega 7 and vitamin d3, I’ve actually noticed my hair feels stronger and even my nails look better. Not a miracle cure but it’s been solid for me

I lost hair at the front a few years ago - probably aged around 45
i think it was due to stress as it’s mostly grown back now.
i used DH’s regaine foam and it helped a lot, hair grew well on the loss site - it was a bit thinner and fluffier but definitely hair!

HRT also did nothing for my hair.

I take standard multivits and evening primrose, which used to help when I was younger, but doesn't seem to help so much now.

I had a biopsy for a bcc, it wasn't, it was an inflamed follicle!! So I am now very careful with shampoos, and occasionally switch out with Nizoral. I think my scalp is basically very sensitive, as I've had some eczema too, treated with betnovate. I am trying Rosemary oil and massage.

I don't think I have deficiencies, as my hair grows like hell, as do my nails, it's just falling, and thin. It's also very fine, super fair, and honestly I think most of it is genetic.. My skin is fantastic though.. Again probs genetic.

I may try topical Minoxidol, but then you gave to use it forever. Which I'm not sure I can be bothered. I won't take it orally due to side effects.

Biotin 10,000mcg really helped me either hairloss. Takes a few months to see the difference x

regaine (ie brand name for minoxidil) is the only proven treatment - try it from Amazon or boots.

in addition… how about ….
Medichecks optimal health blood test + review results to see where nutritional deficiencies might be

follow a vitamin d3 protocol (needs sufficient magnesium, vit k2, boron and omega 3 to optimise absorption)
fill in any other deficiencies with supplements and overhaul diet if you think it needs it.

Consider HRT to improve overall wellness

good luck!!

I mention the Medichecks blood test. As I had one recently and my ferritin and folate were both out of line with where they should be and 1 of those (sorry I forget which) is linked to hair loss and in fact I have recently started ro lose more hair than normal.

I will discuss my blood test results with a GP if I can find one. But in the past I’ve also used Francis Hambly at Hamblys Herbal Dispensary in Kent (virtual). She was much better at supporting me in monitoring my thyroid condition than the NHS. More holistic.

mostly she focused on nutrition and which vitamins / mineral supplements would be best (otherwise you can end up spending a fortune on buckets and buckets of supplements when in fact a couple of well targeted ones would meet your needs)

highly recommend France’s.

https://www.hamblyshealth.co.uk/about/practitioners-staff/frances-hambly/

@Offredismysister What do you mean by looking after your scalp exactly? My hair has been thinning for the past ten years but has definitely got even worse recently.

Using a clarifying shampoo or scalp exfoliator once every few weeks & not letting your hair get greasy.

I've been using Regaine (minoxidil foam) since January and have a new under fringe 😁 you can get it over the counter,there's sometimes an offer on in Boots etc.