Help for Thinning Hair?

[pixietail]

So, the women in my family tend to have hair that goes thin on top as they approach their thirties. I'm approaching that point and my hair, once so thick, is going pretty thin on top. It's not as bad as my mother's at this age, but it's not good either. I have a picture of it in my album.

Does anyone have suggestions that might encourage some new hair growth? I know you can't fight genetics and PCOS, but maybe there's a way to slow it down?

[heidi w.]

So, the women in my family tend to have hair that goes thin on top as they approach their thirties. I'm approaching that point and my hair, once so thick, is going pretty thin on top. It's not as bad as my mother's at this age, but it's not good either. I have a picture of it in my album.

Does anyone have suggestions that might encourage some new hair growth? I know you can't fight genetics and PCOS, but maybe there's a way to slow it down?

You need medical advice regarding a hormone check, a thyroid check. And then some trial and error on medication before it all settles down and it all grows back a bit more. I've seen thyroid conditions that once treated, the hair grew back and in reasonable volume and looking very nice in time.

There's also the problem of too much testosterone that many women have. Some women indeed do become bald because of it.

I would really talk to a doctor regarding your medical condition that likely runs in your family. You don't have to endure this, unless you have no medical coverage, maybe.

There's also the Nioxin line of products, which helps hair re-grow, and has as part of its program hair vitamins. I knew a woman with thinning hair on top, and she took JUST the vitamins, and in time, her hair grew back.

But you need a medial checkup and to talk to a qualified doctor about things. Probably your mother does, too.

This much hair loss is generally fixable at this point in medical science. I would also recommend a look at your diet, to ensure that you are taking in enough protein and not having a problem with anemia.

I've seen women who have thyroid conditions finally receive attention, and their hair grew back.

heidi w.

[pixietail]

Thanks for the feedback, Heidi. I guess the reason I didn't think of going to a doctor right away is that my mother has been to any number of specialists over the years, including, I suspect, more than a few quacks, but it doesn't seem to have helped. She is currently using the Nizoral line of products.

I'm working on diet and exercise, in the hopes that this will help, but of late my will power has been ... iffy LOL. Still, I think that this is why my hair is better than my mother's was at my age. Last time I was at my doctors, they said my thyroid function was on the low end of normal, but not so low as to require medication. I hadn't brought up my concerns about hair with them though.

About too much testosterone - I do have PCOS, which can cause an imbalance of testosterone in the body. Again, losing weight and eating well can help manage that, but my success seems to have stalled after getting only half way there :(

I guess the thing I'm learning here is that my hair issues are not separate from the rest of my body issues, and if I want to improve the one I need to also take care of the other.

[heidi w.]

Exercise while helpful somewhat broadly and generally, doesn't have a huge impact on hair growth. Hormone balances and genetics do.

Nizoral is an anti-fungal shampoo. It only affects hair growth if you're working with an infection, which I anticipate you are not.

Low functioning thyroid, borderline, can cause the problems you're experiencing. I would re-visit the doctor, possibly finding a specialist in helping that borderline thyroid conditions. Borderline cases can pose real problems such as you're experiencing.

Different doctors have very different education levels in understanding thyroid conditions. It's one of the lesser understood health concerns for women, and generally under-diagnosed and somewhat under-treated, too. I would find a specialist in thyroid conditions with lots of experience, or as much experience as you can find.

A lot of women's health issues are not really addressed well, and in today's economic climate, with more people going without health care insurance, things are becoming even more difficult for women in the U.S.

I wish you all the best. I advocate finding a specialist.
heidi w.

[heidi w.]

Thanks for the feedback, Heidi. I guess the reason I didn't think of going to a doctor right away is that my mother has been to any number of specialists over the years, including, I suspect, more than a few quacks, but it doesn't seem to have helped. She is currently using the Nizoral line of products.

About too much testosterone - I do have PCOS, which can cause an imbalance of testosterone in the body. Again, losing weight and eating well can help manage that, but my success seems to have stalled after getting only half way there :(

I guess the thing I'm learning here is that my hair issues are not separate from the rest of my body issues, and if I want to improve the one I need to also take care of the other.

In general, people are relatively highly motivated to take care of hair problems. But many are not motivated by medical issues to necessarily take care of themselves. It's all about seeing. IF we can see it and experience it, we are more inclined to respond. Otherwise, it just seems invisible to us.

I got it backwards. You have PCOS and borderline low thyroid function, and your mother uses Nizoral shampoo. I got that wrong. Sorry.

Also, since your mother's time, lots has changed as it concerns understanding Testosterone in women's bodies. So I hope you can find a doctor that specializes in your health issue.

For other readers, what is PCOS?
http://pcosfoundation.org/support-groups?gclid=CK-m3IeVj64CFQe8KgodsylTgQ

http://pcosfoundation.org/about-pcos

http://pcosfoundation.org/pcos-info-1
how one can determine if they may have PCOS - symptoms of PCOS

http://pcosfoundation.org/discussion-board
A discussion forum regarding PCOS

heidi w.

[dulce]

Hi! I have had lifelong PCOS,and at 60 now have some thinning at temples,and my frontal hair line.I follow a lo carb diet.To help me get my weight under control,I use "lose it!"[can be downloaded from internet for free and also it's iphone pardner"lose it !"It tracks your calories,meals,total daily and weekly calories and your exercise calories and even has a multi restaurants meal calorie section.The i phone app is downloaded thru itunes[free also] My doctor recommended Lose it.My testosterone is still elevated .Washing my hair daily and using rogaine has really helped.CO or WO caused massive shedding for me.I do aerobics daily also. Daiy exercise and calorie restriction and a lo carb diet and keeping your weight down will all help your PCOS and thus your hair.Good luck!I am also borderline thyroid and take kelp[health food store]