Hair falling out after I came off Biotin

**02ari** · October 11th, 2009, 10:23 AM

Hi, please forgive me if I posted this in the wrong place because I'm new to this site. I started used to have extremely thick hair and when I started taking Biotin pills, it got longer but thinner. I recently stopped taking Biotin, and now my hair is practically falling out by the handful. It's really thin now. Is it a withdrawal symptom and should I go back on Biotin?

**ambychelle** · October 11th, 2009, 10:31 AM

Yikes!

I have no idea. But as someone who takes biotin because I shed way too much, that really scares me.

Did you just stop taking it, or did you wean yourself off it? I wonder if weaning yourself off very slowly over a month or two would help.

**02ari** · October 11th, 2009, 10:33 AM

I weaned myself off of it, like I used to take it 7 days a week, then went to 3, and then 1 a week.

**marikamt** · October 11th, 2009, 10:36 AM

Are you sure the hair loss is related to Biotin??? I know a lot of people are going thru a seasonal shed right now..... could be coincidence that it happened when you stopped taking the biotin?

**02ari** · October 11th, 2009, 10:45 AM

I don't know if it was because I came off Biotin, but I've been doing the same routine forever and nothing happened until I went on Biotin.. I never had a seasonal shed, maybe this is a first? I have never left hair everywhere I go, like at school on my seats, on chairs, on my bed, etc. But now it is everywhere.

**marikamt** · October 11th, 2009, 10:49 AM

okay, second question..... how long has your hair been this length????
In the last month (maybe 2) I am noticing my sheds more..... average/ "normal" shed is 50-100 hairs a day.... that is a LOT! And if your hair is "longer" for the first time, they definitely show up more! I am finding mine all over the bathroom and when I comb/ brush they are way more noticeable... but I know I am below 100 hairs a day........

Okay- just realized that prob sounded stupid... obviously your hair has been growing, it did not get here overnight....

I just meant, I am way more aware of my sheds all of a sudden.....

**spidermom** · October 11th, 2009, 10:52 AM

This possibility is what scares me about trying any routine targeted at growing hair - that when I stop doing it, all the hair that was "forced" to grow will fall out. But I don't know if that really happens.

Did you take the biotin regularly for a long time?

**02ari** · October 11th, 2009, 10:54 AM

Hm I understand what you mean, but I never left hairs everywhere as long as I can remember. Is it maybe the 'heavyness' that could be pulling my hair down or something? My hair is really thick (I'm Bengali).

**02ari** · October 11th, 2009, 10:55 AM

I only took Biotin for about 2 months, one daily. It helped the growth but made it thinner.

**marikamt** · October 11th, 2009, 11:02 AM

I don't think stopping biotin can cause hair loss... however Biotin can prevent hair loss due to biotin deficiency.... so, a few things to think about...
* Could you be biotin deficient? It is a water-soluble vitamin, so you can't "build up" stores of it... when you stopped taking it, you COULD become deficient if you are not getting it thru diet, and this COULD cause hair loss......
* Could just be a seasonal shed, or, because you are more focused on your hair, you are noticing shed more
* There are other medical conditions that could cause hair shed... are you experiencing any other symptoms??? A check-up may be in order.......