help with shedding/thinning

[Kymmee]

Hi- total newbie for posting but have been reading for about a week now...I have seen another thread on thinning, and I've read any others I could find that had anything to do with this, but I still wanted to ask opinions/help...
I have always had very thick, but fine, hair. Hair stylists when I was in my teens and twenties used to talk about how "exhausting" doing my hair could be because I had "so much" of it. I have ALWAYS shed...my mom used to complain about having to clean all my hair up out of the bathroom...and I know I've had to clean out vacuums, carpet near bathrooms, etc, forever.
However, three years ago (I am now 42) I started shedding to a point I started paying attention...it wasn't just coming out when I shampood, combed, blew dry in the morning...it was literally, with no provocation at all, dropping down my arms as I'd sit at my desk at work. Or stand talking to someone. Then I noticed more scalp showing in my part in the front, or in my bangs.
I got scared, and went to the doctor, who sent me for a full blood workup. Thyroid, hormones, you name it...the only thing that came back at all abnormal was that I was B12 deficient, which can cause hair loss. Great! I thought, now we can fix it...and after a time of constant B12 shots, and starting B12 sublingual supplements daily, that summer, (after 6 months) it stopped. hooray! By the following March it was shiny and thicker. Then- it started again. just as much. until the end of summer. Another round of doctor, dermatologist, endocrinologist- "nothing wrong".
So, we have determined I DO have a "shedding period" of spring/summer..ok, fine. Last year was still heavy but manageable..I never got noticeably thinner.
I left my husband this January, after debating internally for several months. And my daughter, (now 20) moved out for the first time and to a neighboring city, last summer. Yes, a lot of stress, and the dermatologist did tell me that stress tends to manifest in the hair about 3 months later...so when I started shedding again this month I wasn't surprised. But, I am now afraid. it is a LOT thinner, a LOT has come out, and I can feel the difference at the top of my head, and see it in my bangs especially. I do have a lot of baby hairs already coming in, but it doesnt seem like I have enough to make up for all I lost already, and it is still dropping.
I hate to be that vain but I so do not want to lost my hair enough to need a wig. :( I bought castor oil and avacado oil to mix and try, and am very gentle with my hair.
And fyi, I have been taking a multivitamin with a large dose of biotin in it, every day for three years now (given by my derm). it does make my hair and nails grow quickly, but doesnt seem to affect overall thickness.
I would love any help or encouragement. I am so glad I found this place!

[CarpeDM]

First off, welcome to LHC :)

You are not alone. There are plenty of us out there with shedding and thinning issues. I went through a major shed about a year and a half ago and I am still dealing with my new regrowth hairs trying to catch up to the rest of my hair. I have also been shedding so much lately. Just like you I can be sitting somewhere or standing somewhere and my hair is just falling out all throughout the day. New baby hairs is a good sign though, don't despair, just try to not stress too much and take good care of yourself!

[Firefox7275]

Wecome! :) Sorry to hear you have had a difficult year already. A lot of things can stress the body out not simply life events, so maybe have a fresh look at your overall lifestyle? When the body is under stress/ threat it has a greater need for nutrients - minerals and essential fats as well as vitamins - ideally these would come from wholefoods so perhaps look at exceeding your government's guidelines for healthy eating? Also look at your physical activity levels, how you unwind, support network, how well you sleep, alcohol, smoking etc. You mention vitamin B12, are you perhaps vegetarian or vegan?

[hennared]

Hello - 3 years ago (I am now near 45) my hair started suddenly dropping out like crazy , too, during a particularly stressful time; it did not get better. I lost about 40% of my hair very fast and I am still losing, albeit at a slower pace.

I'm not writing this to freak you out, I AM writing this because, only NOW, three years later, and many many bloodtests later, the doctors finally say my thyroid numbers indicate I have a problem and they just now put me on thyroid medication. My point? All along since the very first bloodtests three years ago, I thought my numbers were off - all very low normal but 'in range' and none of the many doctors I saw considered or mentioned treating me. If you think something is amiss, you have to be your own best advocate, and persist in being retested, IMHO. I did also have other symptoms of a thyroid problem, so that also is why I suspected something really was wrong; please do a bit of research and get you lab results for you own records! That to me is the best advice I can give, if you truly want to rule out some of the common hair loss causes... don't take the word of one or even a few sets of blood tests or doctors. You might even consider seeing a naturopath, simply because they do tend to think outside the box and dig a bit deeper and see outside just the blood test ranges for optimal health.

Best of luck and I wish you and your hair well!

(PS - my avatar is from when the hair loss just started.. my hair does not look like this, now!)

[schweedie]

I'm sorry you're having to deal with this. I feel your pain; I had a really stressful year last year because of health problems and have lost a bit of thickness due to that. It's no fun when you see all those shed hairs in the shower and everywhere else. However, since I see you've bought castor oil - I've just started using it (combined with jojoba) on my scalp the night before I wash my hair, and from what I can tell it appears to have reduced my shower-shedding some. Mind you, I've only done three applications and it's always possible that it could be a fluke, but it really does seem to work. Hopefully it can do the same for you!

[Kymmee]

Thanks everyone :)
Firefox- I am not vegan and I eat plenty of red meat. I vary my diet to include vegetables, meat, chicken, and I also include salmon at least once a week. I can't say I'm the healthiest eater out there- I love my pizza and french fries- but I am not bad.
I sleep well, I maybe wake up once a night to go to the bathroom but that's it. I do exercise, and I work full time so I am up and moving every day. I have very good friends that are a huge support, a great guy, and I also am involved in community activities and boards. I DO drink- but only wine.. I don't like beer and I am not much for liquor really since my 20s. I do not smoke, and have never done drugs.
Honestly, since I made the change of leaving my husband, my life is better than it's been in years...so this is the one huge flaw keeping me from just being happy! It sounds a little petty when I put it that way...
Hennared- if I had other symptoms I WOULD push the thyroid issue..and I promise I was checked thoroughly because my 20 year old daughter has low thyroid issues already. But no one else in my family does. In fact, no one has hair issues really, even the men! But I really don't have any other symptoms that could be thyroid at this time. If this continues though I will go get checked again.
Schweedie- thank you! I am just this morning really trying the castor oil/avacado mix...sitting here with a towel wrapped around my head. ;) Hopefully I'll have good results!

[marimara]

I had issues with shedding really bad last year, it went on for 4 months straight. And before that I had a 2 month period of shedding. Along with my hair shedding I had other symptoms (joint and muscle pains, muscle spasms and twitching, fatigue and hives). I have had the hives for 3 years now. Anyways, the point is that they did more and more blood tests and it turns out I have an autoimmune disorder, possibly lupus. So do you have any other symptoms? If so, mention them to your doc and see if they'll run autoimmune tests. Good luck, I know it's very stressful just seeing those hairs fall every day.

[Kymmee]

Marimara...I have had hives for years. Dermatologist and my regular doc both say stress...and they do seem to hit me more during stress times. I also seem to get them more now, in the spring- coincidentally?- when my hair also usually starts shedding. Also, when all the pollen is out, and it is really bad here this year. I DID wonder if I have some type of allergic reaction to all the pollen that causes hives and hair fall. My doc says possibly to the hives, no to the hair, lol.. my Derm, GP, and endocrinologist ALL said this is probably just my "normal shedding cycle". Ok so yes, I DO shed heavier starting in March every year...and I guess that combined with stress shedding could make it really bad right now? still, I don't know why there isn't SOMEthing that can help fight that.
I used the castor oil/avacado for the first time this morning. Left it on an hour and shampood....three times. The back of my hair is still slightly oily. I don't mind overly, because I'm guessing this isn't something you do every day? And it did stop a lot of the scalp itching I have had since the pollen started falling. BUT...a TON of hair fell out this morning. It really freaked me out.

[jojo]

thyroid problems caused me thinning and shedding problems too. Also get your iron especially ferritin levels checked. Good luck and welcome x

[Firefox7275]

Thanks everyone :)
Firefox- I am not vegan and I eat plenty of red meat. I vary my diet to include vegetables, meat, chicken, and I also include salmon at least once a week. I can't say I'm the healthiest eater out there- I love my pizza and french fries- but I am not bad.
I sleep well, I maybe wake up once a night to go to the bathroom but that's it. I do exercise, and I work full time so I am up and moving every day. I have very good friends that are a huge support, a great guy, and I also am involved in community activities and boards. I DO drink- but only wine.. I don't like beer and I am not much for liquor really since my 20s. I do not smoke, and have never done drugs.
Honestly, since I made the change of leaving my husband, my life is better than it's been in years...so this is the one huge flaw keeping me from just being happy! It sounds a little petty when I put it that way...


I've never regretted leaving my ex-husband either. ;) Great to hear you have a good support network and new guy!!

I am qualified to give nutritional advice but obviously the following are things for you to think or ask your doctor about. Firstly in your shoes would want to know why I was B12 deficient yet eating plenty of animal products. Second thing is essential fatty acids, especially omega-3, which are needed for the health of every cell in the body. They have anti-inflammatory properties (skin and hair) and help the body deal with stress better - not just life events. You should be eating a minimum of three portions of oily fish per week; few of my clients manage that so many opt for a fish oil supplement.

Fruit and vegetables provide vitamins but are limited on minerals which are equally important for immune function, stress management and hair growth. The best sources are wholegrains, beans and lentils, nuts and seeds plus dairy for calcium. Be aware that your body may still be trying to play 'catch-up' from when you were under more stress and thus had a higher need for nutrients (often a time of lower intake :(); if you exercise regularly you will also have a higher need for many nutrients. Please check with your medical team before making any major changes to your diet or adding in supplements, as some can interact with existing medication or be hazardous in higher doses. :o

HTH!

[Kymmee]

I've never regretted leaving my ex-husband either. ;) Great to hear you have a good support network and new guy!!

I am qualified to give nutritional advice but obviously the following are things for you to think or ask your doctor about. Firstly in your shoes would want to know why I was B12 deficient yet eating plenty of animal products. Second thing is essential fatty acids, especially omega-3, which are needed for the health of every cell in the body. They have anti-inflammatory properties (skin and hair) and help the body deal with stress better - not just life events. You should be eating a minimum of three portions of oily fish per week; few of my clients manage that so many opt for a fish oil supplement.

Fruit and vegetables provide vitamins but are limited on minerals which are equally important for immune function, stress management and hair growth. The best sources are wholegrains, beans and lentils, nuts and seeds plus dairy for calcium. Be aware that your body may still be trying to play 'catch-up' from when you were under more stress and thus had a higher need for nutrients (often a time of lower intake :(); if you exercise regularly you will also have a higher need for many nutrients. Please check with your medical team before making any major changes to your diet or adding in supplements, as some can interact with existing medication or be hazardous in higher doses. :o

HTH!
Thanks...I do plan on making a doc appointment asap, and asking him to order another blood test to check everything again. I may go ahead and buy the fish oil supplements anyway. Even though I do have salmon in my diet every week, I definitely don't have fish three times a week, so I'm sure that would be a good thing to do.
Thanks for the support- I have a very hard time not stressing and panicking over the loss I see each day and the extra scalp sneaking in...which I know is not good for it either but I don't know how to stop that part! I will let you all know what I find out.

[Kymmee]

So it's been awhile since I started this thread, but I just got a call from my derm, who says my TSH is elevated and I need to get in to see my regular doc. I am both :( and :) about this- I wanted concrete results I could DO something about, but not this...my doc tried me on synthroid last year once when my thyroid levels were "borderline" and my hair fell out a TON more while taking it. So, now I'm scared to death to try it again.
I am making an appt to go in and talk to him- however, meantime, is anyone else hypothyroid? or does anyone else know of alternative, maybe natural treatments to try instead of synthroid? I'd just like to get a jump start on researching options if I have to treat this.
thanks.

[Firefox7275]

Sorry to hear the test results are not as you hope, but it is better to know now that to get really sick first. :grouphug: That certainly explains the B12 deficiency.

I bet if you run a search there is a support thread somewhere on LHC; I prefer to use the advanced search option because you can choose to search thread titles only. If you have the insurance, it would be worth seeing a medically qualified dietician and an exercise professional who specialises in health issues (sorry to be vague I don't understand your healthcare system). Please don't take any supplements or herbs without the go-ahead from your doctor.

There is a ton of research out there - Google Scholar is awesome - search under the drug name of levothyroxine rather than the brand of Synthroid tho. It's invariably worthwhile to find charities which specialise in your condition, as they often summarise studies on healthy lifestyle and self-care. University websites are often valuable as are US government and UK National Health Service pages, as an example see examples below noting that the former is fully referenced. :)
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/hypothyroidism-000093.htm
http://www.thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/index.html (nutrition is under treatments tab).