Major hair loss (3 inches from ponytail)

[ibleedlipstick]

I have been losing hair since January. In fact, my hair loss is what brought me here.

See, I initially believed that it was something that I was doing wrong, so I stopped all heat styling. Then, when it persisted, I started looking for ways to protect it, and that is how I found LHC. Since joining, I have used a Denman brush on my hair twice, and I use a Body Shop wooden comb twice a day, wben I go to put my hair up for the day and to wrap it in silk at night. I am a waitress, so my hair spends a majority of the time in a protective style, and I don't mess with it.

I used to have incredibly thick hair, a 6 inch pony. It is about three inches, max, now. Hair loss does not run in my family, and all of the women in my family have very thick hair.

I went to the doctor, and he said that my hair is still pretty thick, my bloodwork is good, and I can try Rogaine.

What could be causing this? I am the happiest I have ever been, and not very stressed. I know stress, have experienced major stress before (lost everything) and never lost hair like this before.

I mean, it sounds terrible, but I was kind of hoping there would be something wrong on the bloodwork to explain this. I mean, not to give tmi, but the hair on my legs, underarms, and, erm, private are has thinned a great deal as well.

Has anyone else experienced this? I'm starting to see bald patches. Help!

[Hotrox]

Hello, sorry I don't have a lot of advice on this but couldn't read and not post.

Sending you a big hug :flowers:

I'm sure someone will be along with some good advice for you soon.......

How is your diet and eating habits? My hair suffers when I don't get enough protein and good fats

[Clarisse]

I'm losing my hair too, though not as drastically.
Have you checked your hormon levels? Gotten on/off the pill? Do you get enough protein, fats and vitamins? Are your waitress-do's too tight?

[Henrietta]

Too much of vitamin A may cause it. My friend used to take supplements, for something elsa than a hair, I cannot recall it now. And it contained lots of vitamin A. The effect was a huge hair loss. It sounds ridiculous that too much of vitamins can have a bad effect, but hypervitaminosis can be as bad as hypovitaminosis.

[urara12]

shedding lot hair is so stresfull.. my hair shed a lot since last year to recently.
6 inch pony to 3inches pony is sounds big change.
I would recommend to see another Dermatologist
and tell to DR about the 3 inches diffrence.

I saw more than 5 Dr about my hair shed.my pony size is haven't change ( but I never measure it untill loin LHC,so I don't know how much my pony circumference before big shed)

one of Dr told me that
1. write down about how much hair shed a day
for a month.

2 all medicine you took past 3 month.( include all vitamin)

3. any symptoms you have or had


I had so many blood test done (almost 40 vial blood test) include SLE also had Urine check.did you check your iron and B12 and B6 test, ANA?

> I am a waitress, so my hair spends a majority of the time in a protective style, and I don't mess with it.

you don't do it with tight?
I had up do everyday in the last year, put my bangs with pin...
it's made my bangs area thinned. new hair growing but still less than before I feel.

> but the hair on my legs, underarms, and, erm, private are has thinned a great deal as well.

Ummm if ony private are and scalp ,I would suspect yeast infections.but legs etc... did you talked it to the Dr?

If I were you I would go see New Dr for second opinion.

[Khiwanean]

Your doctor suggesting rogaine when you've lost 3 inches of thickness is pretty ridiculous. Please get a referral to a dermatologist. One who specializes in scalp conditions might be more helpful. Has alopecia even been considered as a possible cause?

[Centaur]

I am sorry for your hair loss. I know how distressing that can be. Losing a possible half of your thickness sounds serious. I agree with the above poster that you may want to consider seeing a dermatologist who specializes in hair loss to help you determine the cause and solutions to your hair loss. There are different types of alopecia, and the derm can run tests like hair pull test and take samples from your scalp, as well as run blood tests, etc, to help you determine what is going on.

While you wait to see the doctor, you may want to implement some general measures for your health and hair, such as: improve your diet if needed, make sure you are varying your hairstyles and not using tight hair styles so you are lessening the possibility of traction alopecia, try to manage stress and get adequate sleep, consider minimizing use of harsh styling products and consider using milder and unscented shampoos and conditioners.

Good luck. I hope you get better soon.

[lpsqt60]

Have you had your thyroid levels checked? You may have hypothyroidism and one of the symptoms is hair loss, have the MD check your T3 and T4 levels.
If the hair all over your body has thinned out you do need to see a dermatologist to make sure that you do not have any circulatory issue or autoimmune issue.
I'm so sorry you are going through this.

[jera]

Your doctor suggesting rogaine when you've lost 3 inches of thickness is pretty ridiculous. Please get a referral to a dermatologist. One who specializes in scalp conditions might be more helpful. Has alopecia even been considered as a possible cause?

Yeah, I second this. You're seeing bald patches and your docor doesn't consider that serious? WTF? :confused: Try to find a good dermatologist in your area. They can do a scalp biopsy to see whether or not you have AA. Then you can proceed from there. They have injections now for AA I think?

[LouLaLa]

I agree with Henrietta, vitamins can be deceptively dangerous, I used to take a few too many and my apetite literally went to ZERO and I had to drink heaps of water or I felt ill (I had deficiancies and then went too far the other way).

Other than that I agree with the other ladies that you should go to a scalp specialist or a dermatologist. If it were just the hair on your head Id say, oh maybe its just a very big shed, and youre 18 so its so so unlikely to be meonopause etc, but if its thinning on the rest of your body well thats just odd, (I assume it isnt normal, its never happened to me or anyone I know) and youre right to want reassurance.

Good luck, its scary when you have a gut instinct and a Dr is dismissive! Dont be afraid to pester them, if it were happening to them you can bet your bottom dollar they would be at a dermatologist so you do whatever you need to get peace of mind.

HUG!

[julya]

When my hair thinned from a 4.5 inch to a 3 inch pony I asked my dr about it, and she just said the same as yours. She said it looks pretty thick to me, and left it at that.

[Darkhorse1]

Sadly, doctors don't seem to take hair loss as a 'big deal'. What bothers me is that hair loss is the sign of a bigger problem. Many illnesses start with hair loss.

Have you recently had a baby? Gone on the pill/off the pill? I know hormones can play with your hair (menopause?)

I had hair loss due to major stress many years ago, and if it is hair loss due to stress, it will grow back.

Do you have any auto-immune diseases in the family? Fibromyalgia, lupus---there are many that can also cause hair loss/shedding.

Do you see any thinning? balding areas? I would get a second opinion---iron levels (anemia can cause hair thinning), diabetes, thyroid---I do hope you find an answer!

(((Hugs))))

[Roseate]

Losing 1/2 your thickness in 6 months is really worrisome! And losing all your body hair too... it's not something to try to diagnose yourself. Don't let your doctor brush you off! Is there another doctor in the same practice you could get an appointment with?

You say your blood work was ok, but what kind of "blood work" was it? I know several women who have had great difficulty getting their thyroid problems under control because their GP's weren't doing the right tests. Hair loss is a symptom of thyroid imbalance, as well as other endocrine problems that your doctor should really want to keep an eye on.

Make a fuss. Medically speaking, the squeaky wheel gets the grease!

[christine1989]

Many standard blood tests are not very thurough so an underlying health problem could still be the cause. A lack of iron caused my hair to shed but since taking it I have had no problems. Also be sure you are getting enough B vitamins as they are crutial for hair health. I also second getting a thyroid test as it is a VERY common cause of hair loss.

[Purdy Bear]

It amazes me with the continued attitude of Drs about hair loss!

Thinning of the hair can be caused by many things - Thyroid, Anameia, Alopecia, shock to the hair, truama.

Depending on what is wrong with the hair depends on the treatment. If the blood tests came back clear, you need to know what they were so you can cross those off your list. If the hairloss continues go back to your Drs and ask to see a Dermatologist. In some cases they can inject steriods into the skin to help hair production.

Massaging the hair will help, as will hot flannel compresses (like you would if you had a sprain). Meditation, visualisation and relaxation practices also help greatly.

Good all round nutrition is a must, with a lot of protein, diary, and biotin foods.

Since the hair loss is effecting not only your scalp, I would really push for a proper diagnosis. Have you had Alopecia in any form before, as this sadly maybe the case, although I do hope for you it isnt.

There are Aromatherpathy recipes that have shown success with Alopecia - look up the Aberdeen Infirmary Study, and also Melanie Von Zabuesnig recipes (they are both on the forum), if not pm me, and I will give you them. The first was run in a scientific study by a Hospital and showed good results. There are other numerous treatments you can try from onion juice to Monistat (see thread on it).

I hope you get it sorted ASAP. I have Alopecia Univarlis/ almost total body hair loss, so I know exactly how you feel!


PS: I forgot to mention, keep a hair journal of how your hair is, any tips etc, as the Dermatologist will probably want to see it.

[McFearless]

My hair has thinned a lot also and I cannot find the answer myself. I scalp massage with oil and cayenne pepper powder..its supposed to help but its too soon to tell if it works. Castor oil has a good reputation too.

Drink lots of milk. A cup has around 8g of protein. Foods with protein are good also. Maybe protein powder if you're into smoothies.

Do you take vitamins? Make sure there is no Vitamin A in your multi. Beta Carotene is fine- your body will convert it to Vitamin A when needed. Other fat soluable vitamins like D, E can build up and cause negative effects.

Good luck. I know how you feel. <3

[McFearless]

Oh and one more thing. What is your digestion like? You don't have to answer but think about it. I think health starts there. If you don't frequently expel wastes your body might have trouble absorbing the nutrients from your food. So if your eating habits have changed or if you're busy you might want to look into that.

[Othala]

I would advise you to go and see a Trichologist. Take your bloodwork results with you too.

[DarkChocolate]

I am sorry that you are experiencing this:grouphug:
I read your introductory post and I was wondering if the bleach got onto your scalp and caused some damage. I have heard some stories of people who have bleached their hair too much and experienced hair loss. I second trying scalp massage.