Help I m so stressed my hair is falling out big time it has been for a few months now at first I thought it was stress as I had just started up a new business also I knew I was in need of iron as I was getting all the usual symptoms being tried ,pale very dizzy etc .About a year ago I saw the doc due to the same symptoms (not the hair loss though )after a blood test he gave me a course of iron tablets as he said my iron stores (ferritin)were as low as they can get .Now I am experincing a lot of hair loss, my hair is everywhere after looking up my prob on net it said that low levals of ferritin can cause hair loss .Im due to see doc tom but was wondering if anyone has had the same or a simular experience .thanks for looking julie:wave:

Hi there,
I have the exact same problem with low ferritin and hair loss, its really depressing. Im currently having yet more iron infusions to try to get my levels back up again.
Im having indian head massages twice a week and ive also invested in a product called nioxin thats supposed to help to encourage re-growth (ive only just started using it though).
My hair loss is mainly thining at the top of my head, so i use thickening products on my hair to try to make it less noticable, but i get really paranoid about it.
Post back if i can help you in anyway or just to share experiances.
Linds

My ferritin level was at 1.2 and I too had been losing my hair in larger quantities then normal. I have been going once a week for intravenous iron. I have had 11 treatments and am feeling so much better and my hair isn't falling out like it was - just the typical hair loss when brushing.

[:wave: Hi Linds,
I,m SO sorry you are experiencing the same problem as me. While on one hand its comforting to know I,m not the only one ,I still wish no one else had to suffer. Well I saw my doc yesterday and she has sent me for a blood test (the norm stuff b count ,b12 ,ferritin ,thyroid and a few other).
She said that my last level of ferritin back in dec 05 was 4 and for hair to grow normally it has to be 70 ,Need I say anymore ?
So I,m taking a multi vit with iron till I get my results on Mon ,I must say I am feeling a little better already my hair is still falling out but not as much .
I like you am mainly thining at the top well thats where its most noticable and I hate it I have just dropped two dress sizes and was looking forward to dressing to kill this summer and heading out on the town but no now I hate going out I feel like everyone is looking at me ,:mad: well my head anyway .
My dear sweet hubby has been so good though he has been so supportive .And is always telling me I look good .
I guess I should have know I was in need of some Iron when I started to feel tried and when I started to crave meat (almost a veggie before ) but I ignored it, so busy taking care of everybody else and I wish now i had sorted back then and maybe I wouldn,t be in this situation now .
I hav`nt used anything on my sclap yet as I was worried it might cause what hair I have to break instead I am improving my diet exercising drinking lots of water and don,t laugh :D standing on my head to allow the blood flow to incease to my sclap only problem is I keep falling over but at least I,m amusing everyone here.
What is Nioxin and have you had any luck with it ?I will try anything .It would be so nice to keep in touch with you so we can share stories and advice It so nice to know I not alone thanks so much for your reply .Best Wishes Julie :)

My ferritin level was at 1.2 and I too had been losing my hair in larger quantities then normal. I have been going once a week for intravenous iron. I have had 11 treatments and am feeling so much better and my hair isn't falling out like it was - just the typical hair loss when brushing.
Hi Jandk:) wow your Ferritin level was low I thought mine was bad at 4 ,do you know your level now ?
I m so please your hair loss has stopped ,have you noticed any new hair coming through yet? yet? Also I was wondering was hair loss the only symptom you had or did you have any of the norm you know being tried ,dizzy ,brain fog etc .hope you coninue to feel better kind regards Julie :wave:

Hey Julie

My ferritin level as of 8/1 is at 77. I also had other symptoms like extreme exhaustion, dizzy, eating 8lbs of ice a day, brain fog. It is hard to tell if my hair is growing back. I had a ton of hair to begin with so although I was losing a lot of hair it wasn't noticeable. I still have 3 more treatments then they are going to do an iron challenge test to see if I can even absorb oral iron. Otherwise I will be on maintenance IV iron forever. Have they considered doing Intravenous iron with you to get your iron stores up quickly? Best of Luck Kim

:wave: Hi Kim ,
Wow you have done well .To go from a 1.2 ferritin level to a level of 77 after only 11 treatments is brilliant I,m so please for you .
I hope you continue to feel better how do they do an iron challenge test ?I have never heard of this before .
I had a blood test today and will get my results on Monday .I am very keen to get my levels up as I have thin hair (unfortunetly) and my doctor said that we need a level of 70 for the hair to grow properly .
I am going to ask my doctor about intravenous iron as I am felling so tried all the time and very very dizzy .Also I have two young children one has just broken up from school for 6 weeks and the other is only 3 .so I need to get some energy back .
Did you take anything else to help you get your levels up so quickly ?I have been improving my diet I have started to eat red meat and be alot more healthy I have even tryed drinking stout as it is mean`t to have a lot of iron in it but I can bearly keep it down .well my best wishes to you Kim I hope you continue to feel better do let me know how you get on with your test ,kind regards Julie

July 2005 I was losing tons of hair,My doctors thought it was stress.Finally in September 2005 they checked my ferritin because I was still losing alot of hair eating ice and had heart palpitations and shortness of breath.My ferritin was at 5.10 months later and 2 iron pills a day,my hair is still falling out.My doctor checked my ferritin and it went only up to 30.He told me to continue the iron pills.I am still tired and losing my hair.I want to know why its taking so long to get my ferritin up.If this continues I will have to make another appointment.

Hi Bella :wave: ,So sorry you are stll having problems .My doctor did say it takes a long time for your ferritin level to incease maybe you should see about having intravenous iron Im going to push my doctor on this as I like you am losing hair and its horrible I so despartly wont it to stop and grow back but I think we have to be very patient as my doc said that for hair to grow well your ferritin levels need to be 70 .Also my hair dresser said that hair has a 3 month cycle so it will take three months before you notice a difference the lady who posted before Kim got her levels up very quickly from 1.2 to 77 in about three months (I think ) and she had intravenous iron so it might be well worth you pushing your doc on this .Do let us know how you get on or even if you feel like a chat .I feel so much better knowing that I,m not alone and just `chating` to others in the same positon has helped take care of your self Julie :)

Julie,

With the iron challenge they will take a fasting iron serum and then send me for a bit of breakfast. Forty five minutes later I go back and they give me iron pills with some Vitamin C and about 1-2 hours later they will draw more blood so see if the numbers have changed. This will determine whether or not I can absorb iron from the intestines or not. I have 3 children so I thought my exhaustion was from chasing them. I had a hard time getting out of bed and getting to and from work was becoming difficult. It is nice to feel normal again. Take care - Kim

[:wave: Hi Linds,
I,m SO sorry you are experiencing the same problem as me. While on one hand its comforting to know I,m not the only one ,I still wish no one else had to suffer. Well I saw my doc yesterday and she has sent me for a blood test (the norm stuff b count ,b12 ,ferritin ,thyroid and a few other).
She said that my last level of ferritin back in dec 05 was 4 and for hair to grow normally it has to be 70 ,Need I say anymore ?
So I,m taking a multi vit with iron till I get my results on Mon ,I must say I am feeling a little better already my hair is still falling out but not as much .
I like you am mainly thining at the top well thats where its most noticable and I hate it I have just dropped two dress sizes and was looking forward to dressing to kill this summer and heading out on the town but no now I hate going out I feel like everyone is looking at me ,:mad: well my head anyway .
My dear sweet hubby has been so good though he has been so supportive .And is always telling me I look good .
I guess I should have know I was in need of some Iron when I started to feel tried and when I started to crave meat (almost a veggie before ) but I ignored it, so busy taking care of everybody else and I wish now i had sorted back then and maybe I wouldn,t be in this situation now .
I hav`nt used anything on my sclap yet as I was worried it might cause what hair I have to break instead I am improving my diet exercising drinking lots of water and don,t laugh :D standing on my head to allow the blood flow to incease to my sclap only problem is I keep falling over but at least I,m amusing everyone here.
What is Nioxin and have you had any luck with it ?I will try anything .It would be so nice to keep in touch with you so we can share stories and advice It so nice to know I not alone thanks so much for your reply .Best Wishes Julie :)
Hi Julie,
I notice you too are in england, so the nioxin should be available for you, i get mine from my local salon. The kit i got is a shampoo, conditioner and a scalp treatment and it costs about £35 (so it better bloody work).
I laughed about you standing on your head, my falling over comes from drinking too much guiness (urgh), but i get to chill and its full of iron.
Have you got your resuts back yet?
Im having my next iron infusion tomorrow, to hope to get my ferritin up from 3.Keep in touch.
Linds

Hi Linds :wave: Thanks for the info regarding the Nioxin kit .I,m going to see my hair dresser on Wed so I,m going to ask her advice as I,m a little worried about putting anything on my scalp in case it makes my hair weaker .But do let me know how you get on .
How did your appointment go today ?Did you find out what your ferritin levels are now .I hope its up ,are you feeling better since having the iron infusions ?
I won`t get my results till Monday but to be honest it can,t come quick enough I am feeling so run down ,I,m sure my doc will try and give me iron tablets but I,m going to push for iron infusions .Did you have to push your doctor on this or did they offer you this treatment and how do they do it is it a jab in your arm ?.
I like you have been drinking Guinness and I totally agree its horrible ,why can,t a nice bottle of plonk be full of iron .Mind you its no where near as bad as the liver I TRYED to eat ,that came straight back up I can tell you .
Do you know what caused your low ferritin levels ? I think mine was a number of things ,I was a veggie,(no more I would rather eat a cow a day now than loss my hair ) not taking care of myself and skipping meals ,and the norm heavy periods god its sooooooooooo much fun being a women . Well take good care of your self its nice to be `chating` to you Its great to know you live in England too, you never know we might meet at the bottle bank while getting rid of our empty guiness bottles .:D do let me how you have got on best wishes Julie :wave:

Hi Julie,
I didnt have to push for the infusions due to the fact that oral iron goes straight through me (if you get my drift) so its not an option for me (they even tried the stuff the give to kids!).
Im not sure what my levels are at present, i'll find out on monday.

The infusions themselves are not very pleasant, i go to the heamotology/chemotherapy unit at the hospital and get attached to a drip full of iron (it takes about 30-40 mins). Meanwhile your sat with people having chemo who really are very poorly - it certainly gives you a different outlook on things!
Another thing i can recommend is a product called Spatone Water (sold in Boots and Holland & Barretts), its a sachet that you mix with orange juice, its an supplement that has the equivelent iron content to 8lb of broccoli and it doesnt upset your stomach, I honestly swear by the stuff, but wish they'd make a version you can mix with vodka!

My low ferritin is apparently caused by 'the joys of being a woman', but im now on the mini-pill and my periods have improved, also i dont eat a very good diet (i just cant stand veg) plus i had a c/section 18month ago and had a lot of trouble with adhesions afterwards.
Ohh to be a man!
Good luck with your results on monday, and let us know how you get on.
TTFN,
Linds

Does anyone know if hair falls out more in the summer?My hair started to fall out last July.I been on iron and during the winter it still came out but not half as much.Now in the summer its falling out like crazy again.My iron went from 5 to 30 in ten months.I still take my iron,but when I wash my hair it comes out like crazy.

Does anyone know if hair falls out more in the summer?My hair started to fall out last July.I been on iron and during the winter it still came out but not half as much.Now in the summer its falling out like crazy again.My iron went from 5 to 30 in ten months.I still take my iron,but when I wash my hair it comes out like crazy.
Hi Bella:wave: ,Im sorry I don`t know the answer to your question but I am seeing my hairdresser on Wed so I will ask her and let you know .Also regarding your Ferritin levels are you just taking Iron tablets or are you trying to increase you levels by other means (diet ,etc ) also if you drink lots of tea ,coffee or fizzy drinks it could decrease your absorbtion rates .T:wave: ake care Aand best wishes Julie

Hi scooby coo,I take 2 iron pills a day.I only have one cup of coffee in the morning.I must say I dont think I eat alot of high iron foods.I think I get heavy periods,I dont know whats consider normal.My Dr took 6 tubes of blood from me last month and said everything was fine,but to keep taking iron pills or my ferritin will drop.I am at 30.I must says my hair has been falling out alot when I wash it,but my hair is growing a little.I dont have and bald patches.I dont know,Its been going on for a year.

Hi Julie,
I didnt have to push for the infusions due to the fact that oral iron goes straight through me (if you get my drift) so its not an option for me (they even tried the stuff the give to kids!).
Im not sure what my levels are at present, i'll find out on monday.

The infusions themselves are not very pleasant, i go to the heamotology/chemotherapy unit at the hospital and get attached to a drip full of iron (it takes about 30-40 mins). Meanwhile your sat with people having chemo who really are very poorly - it certainly gives you a different outlook on things!
Another thing i can recommend is a product called Spatone Water (sold in Boots and Holland & Barretts), its a sachet that you mix with orange juice, its an supplement that has the equivelent iron content to 8lb of broccoli and it doesnt upset your stomach, I honestly swear by the stuff, but wish they'd make a version you can mix with vodka!

My low ferritin is apparently caused by 'the joys of being a woman', but im now on the mini-pill and my periods have improved, also i dont eat a very good diet (i just cant stand veg) plus i had a c/section 18month ago and had a lot of trouble with adhesions afterwards.
Ohh to be a man!
Good luck with your results on monday, and let us know how you get on.
TTFN,
Linds
Hi Linds ,how did you get on today ?Have your levels increased I really hope so .
I brought some of that Spatone I was expecting a little box was I shocked when I picked up this HUGE box .However I must say I do agree with you it hasn`t upset my stomach like the tablets.I,m taking two sachet a day one in the morning on an empty stomach and one in the evening I even felt like I had a little more energy today .So thanks for that !And yes it is a real shame they don,t have one you can mix with vodka . I got my results today my Ferritn level is 12.9 a big surprise I and my doc thought it would be much lower but he still said its way to low for hair growth which needs to be 70 .So I,m on 2 tablets a day of iron and he said to put the dose up to 4 after 2 weeks. Also he said it is safe for me to continue with the spatone .This should hopefully increase my levels quickly .I m to have a blood test again in two weeks to see how my levels are .
I m also going to ask my hairdresser about Nixoin on Wed.So fingers cross .
As you don,t like your veg have you thought about eating beans and lentils .I have a really nice receipe for lentils if you wont it let me know I would only be too pleased to share it .You said you had a csection 18 mnths ago so obviously you have kids isn`t it exhusting running around after them when you have no energy ,Mine sleep though the night now which is a god send as I don,t know how I would cope if they woke up at night .Take care of your self I,m off to crack open a bottle of Guinness now (some how it dosen`t have the same apeal as a bottle of wine ) Best wishes Julie :wave:

Hi everyone! I'm new to anemia, and I think that I've finally found the cause of my hair thinning! :dizzy: I'm just under 17, and for the last few months I've noticed that my hair felt thinner. I've always had EXTREMELY thick hair (I mean so thick that I could not brush it, except for when it was wet in the shower with tons of conditioner in it), and now it's normal to thin. My bloodwork came back a bit off, and my doctor thought that I could be anemic, so I started taking iron supplements. A few days later, I got a more extensive blood workup, including a Ferritin test. I came back a 7 out of 13-150. To me, that seems pretty low... but is it low enough to cause hair thinning? What I'm also thinking is because for a few days prior to the Ferritin test, I was taking iron supplements and eating enough red meat and green vegetables to last a lifetime, it was temporarily higher... meaning that it had been lower for months (thus causing the hair loss).

Thanks for any advice or help! :)

Hi everyone! I'm new to anemia, and I think that I've finally found the cause of my hair thinning! :dizzy: I'm just under 17, and for the last few months I've noticed that my hair felt thinner. I've always had EXTREMELY thick hair (I mean so thick that I could not brush it, except for when it was wet in the shower with tons of conditioner in it), and now it's normal to thin. My bloodwork came back a bit off, and my doctor thought that I could be anemic, so I started taking iron supplements. A few days later, I got a more extensive blood workup, including a Ferritin test. I came back a 7 out of 13-150. To me, that seems pretty low... but is it low enough to cause hair thinning? What I'm also thinking is because for a few days prior to the Ferritin test, I was taking iron supplements and eating enough red meat and green vegetables to last a lifetime, it was temporarily higher... meaning that it had been lower for months (thus causing the hair loss).

Thanks for any advice or help! :)
Melisa,
Your ferritin levels are low. Apparently low ferritin levels is one of the main causes of hair loss in women. Routine blood works dont always include a ferritin level test, which i found out to my cost, as i was going to the docs for years on and off with thining hair and my ferritin was never checked!
Once your levels are above 70, hair growth should start to improve, but unfortunately it can take a few months for the iron to get to work to build your stores back up.
There are supplements you can take and also adjustments to your diet can help improve your levels, as can avoiding things such as teas (or anyrhing containing tanin) that can stop the absorbsion of iron.
But the main thing is to try to find out why your levels are low, so speak to your doc about having some further investigations done. Most commonly in women its caused by heavy menstrual bleeding.
Good Luck
Linds

Hi Linds ,how did you get on today ?Have your levels increased I really hope so .
I brought some of that Spatone I was expecting a little box was I shocked when I picked up this HUGE box .However I must say I do agree with you it hasn`t upset my stomach like the tablets.I,m taking two sachet a day one in the morning on an empty stomach and one in the evening I even felt like I had a little more energy today .So thanks for that !And yes it is a real shame they don,t have one you can mix with vodka . I got my results today my Ferritn level is 12.9 a big surprise I and my doc thought it would be much lower but he still said its way to low for hair growth which needs to be 70 .So I,m on 2 tablets a day of iron and he said to put the dose up to 4 after 2 weeks. Also he said it is safe for me to continue with the spatone .This should hopefully increase my levels quickly .I m to have a blood test again in two weeks to see how my levels are .
I m also going to ask my hairdresser about Nixoin on Wed.So fingers cross .
As you don,t like your veg have you thought about eating beans and lentils .I have a really nice receipe for lentils if you wont it let me know I would only be too pleased to share it .You said you had a csection 18 mnths ago so obviously you have kids isn`t it exhusting running around after them when you have no energy ,Mine sleep though the night now which is a god send as I don,t know how I would cope if they woke up at night .Take care of your self I,m off to crack open a bottle of Guinness now (some how it dosen`t have the same apeal as a bottle of wine ) Best wishes Julie :wave:
Hi Julie,
The infusion as per usual was unpleasant and i feel a bit crappy today:eek:
Im glad you got some spatone, i swear its a wonderful product.
When i went to the hospital, the computers were down so i dont know what my levels are at present, but it can take about 3months after the infusions to see if ive actually built my stores back up again (something boring and scientific about how it reproduces through bone marrow...yawn - i just want my bloody hair back!)
Your levels are low, even though they measure from 13 being low and I know your aware that they need to be at around 70 for hair to start to grow again.
Anyway, I would (and im sure a few others here) like that recipe with the beans and lentils, (well i look like a balding old man, so i dont suppose sitting and farting like one will make much difference!)
Let me know what the hairdresser says.
Best wishes
Linds

I just washed my hair I cannot believe the hair in my hands I get so freaked out.Besides having a ferritin of 30,I also have chronic stress in my life.I am only 34 and feel older.I have no energy.I have alot of stress because of family and it leads to anxiety.Can chronic stress lead to hair loss along with the low ferritin?

Hi all, I can sympathize with you on the low iron hair loss issue, here is my little story.

I noticed in February that my hair was looking a bit thin at the part, then I started to count the hairs that came out when I combed. One day after washing I stopped counting at 200. Man I freaked. I went to the doctors and she said my ferritin (iron stores) where in the deficient range (I was not anemica though) so I started on supplements called Ferrograd. In about 2 months my hair loss started to halve. I have just been for blood tests and my iron is now at a normal level for me. I think it is regrowing judging on all the short frizzies but the hair in the front that became very thin hasnt grown back yet. Im not a red meat eater but I eat everything else. My doctor said its just because I am female. My history has always been low iron but never deficient. It sure gives you a scare. I really must just stick to taking a multivitamin everyday. Try to avoid drinking tea/coffee/alcolhol/fizzy drinks with dinner. I read have iron 1 hour before tea and 2 hours after to prevent interference with absorption. Hope this helps. Just wish I knew when my hair at the front will start to grow again.

Hi Julie,
The infusion as per usual was unpleasant and i feel a bit crappy today:eek:
Im glad you got some spatone, i swear its a wonderful product.
When i went to the hospital, the computers were down so i dont know what my levels are at present, but it can take about 3months after the infusions to see if ive actually built my stores back up again (something boring and scientific about how it reproduces through bone marrow...yawn - i just want my bloody hair back!)
Your levels are low, even though they measure from 13 being low and I know your aware that they need to be at around 70 for hair to start to grow again.
Anyway, I would (and im sure a few others here) like that recipe with the beans and lentils, (well i look like a balding old man, so i dont suppose sitting and farting like one will make much difference!)
Let me know what the hairdresser says.
Best wishes
Linds
Hi Linds :) Sorry its taken me a few days to get back to you .I had a job on and to be honest at the end of the day I was so pooped I just flopped out on the sofa I can`t belive how knacked I feel ! :yawn: .
Anyway I`m sorry you haven`t been feeling too good how are you feeling now ? What a shame you couldn`t get your ferritin levels it would be nice to know how much they have gone up .When is your next infusion and how many more do you have to have ?
I spoke to my hairdresser who I have been going to for nearly 8 years so she is more of friend she gave me a new hairstyle :eek: shorter????????? ................but she said to trust her and I m really pleased I did.She cut it shorter as she said it wouldn`t pull on my scalp .
I asked her about Nixoin and she said that as our problem is inturnal she dosen`t think it would help ,she did say though that its a good idea to take care of the hair we have but don`t over do it.Also try not to wash it that often and brush it only when you really need to :dizzy: .
I felt like everyone was looking at my head when I was working on Friday was I being parnoid ?I don,t know about you I seem to have good days and bad days on a good day I`m very positive and on a bad day I can see EVERY bit of scalp that is showing through and seem to spend my day walking from one mirror to another.:mad:
Is it just me but when I,m out and about I`ve noticed quite alot of ladys with hair loss.
I will get you that lentil and rice roast receipe but I`II have to get it tom as my toddler has fallen asleep on me however you did make me laugh when you said that lentils would make you fart like an old man . I don`t know how your iron infusions effect you but my iron tablets have me blowing all day my husband even treatened to sleep downstairs one night :eek: NASTY.
How have you been getting on with Nixoin has your hair felt any better ?
Anyway take care and I will sort the receipe out for tom best wishes Julie :wave:

I just washed my hair I cannot believe the hair in my hands I get so freaked out.Besides having a ferritin of 30,I also have chronic stress in my life.I am only 34 and feel older.I have no energy.I have alot of stress because of family and it leads to anxiety.Can chronic stress lead to hair loss along with the low ferritin?
Hi Bella Im so sorry your having a bad time right now (as they say when it rains it pours dosen`t it seem sometimes that every think happens at once) Stress can make your hair fall out my husband lost lots of hair when he had a very stressful period in his life but it did all grow back .Now he dose`nt let anything stress him out .Your Ferritin levels need to be 70 for good hair growth so it certainly dosen`t help if your levels are 30 are you taking iron ?
I hope things get better for you soon take good care of yourself Julie :) Let us know how you get on

Hi all, I can sympathize with you on the low iron hair loss issue, here is my little story.

I noticed in February that my hair was looking a bit thin at the part, then I started to count the hairs that came out when I combed. One day after washing I stopped counting at 200. Man I freaked. I went to the doctors and she said my ferritin (iron stores) where in the deficient range (I was not anemica though) so I started on supplements called Ferrograd. In about 2 months my hair loss started to halve. I have just been for blood tests and my iron is now at a normal level for me. I think it is regrowing judging on all the short frizzies but the hair in the front that became very thin hasnt grown back yet. Im not a red meat eater but I eat everything else. My doctor said its just because I am female. My history has always been low iron but never deficient. It sure gives you a scare. I really must just stick to taking a multivitamin everyday. Try to avoid drinking tea/coffee/alcolhol/fizzy drinks with dinner. I read have iron 1 hour before tea and 2 hours after to prevent interference with absorption. Hope this helps. Just wish I knew when my hair at the front will start to grow again.
Hi ,thanks for sharing your story with us its nice to hear of someone at the other end .I,m so please you have some "fuz" I,m sure the front will grow back in time .Did you loss your hair at the front first or last? Did you take anythink elae other than iron tablets to get your levels up and did you use anything on your scalp or hair? Sorry to ask sooooooooooo many questions but to me and alot of others reading this you have given us hope thanks for sharing your story kind regards Julie

Hi all, I can sympathize with you on the low iron hair loss issue, here is my little story.

I noticed in February that my hair was looking a bit thin at the part, then I started to count the hairs that came out when I combed. One day after washing I stopped counting at 200. Man I freaked. I went to the doctors and she said my ferritin (iron stores) where in the deficient range (I was not anemica though) so I started on supplements called Ferrograd. In about 2 months my hair loss started to halve. I have just been for blood tests and my iron is now at a normal level for me. I think it is regrowing judging on all the short frizzies but the hair in the front that became very thin hasnt grown back yet. Im not a red meat eater but I eat everything else. My doctor said its just because I am female. My history has always been low iron but never deficient. It sure gives you a scare. I really must just stick to taking a multivitamin everyday. Try to avoid drinking tea/coffee/alcolhol/fizzy drinks with dinner. I read have iron 1 hour before tea and 2 hours after to prevent interference with absorption. Hope this helps. Just wish I knew when my hair at the front will start to grow again.
Hi ,thanks for sharing your story with us its nice to hear of someone at the other end .I,m so please you have some "fuz" I,m sure the front will grow back in time .Did you loss your hair at the front first or last? Did you take anythink elae other than iron tablets to get your levels up and did you use anything on your scalp or hair? Sorry to ask sooooooooooo many questions but to me and alot of others reading this you have given us hope thanks for sharing your story kind regards Julie :wave:

Julie (scooby coo)
I get where your hairdresser is coming from BUT im that desparate i'll try anything if only to encourage a little bit of regrowth.
Personally, i seem to be stuck in a vicious circle with the hair loss, infusions, feeling crappy etc. For the last couple of months ive been suffering with bad diarrohea (which obvioulsy isnt helping with iron absorbtion) and im due to see a gastro doc in september (im currently living off pepto-bismol), but i know a lot of it is down to anxiety because of the iron deficencey and being paranoid about my hair loss (i swear on a bad day my hair looks worse).
As for the infusions, they basically make me feel like crap and i wish i could just take a tablet everyday, im going to a family wedding so ive put my next one off until the 21st august, but this time round i already feel like im not benefitting from it due to the stomach issues im having (maybe its all in my mind).
BUT.
Cinderellas reply has made me feel a bit more optimistic, who knows we could be the next rupunzalls, or maybe start a new trend with the female comb over! - or look at Gail Porter - totally bald but still beautiful.....ohhhh.
Im glad your happy with your new hair-do, and yes i suddenly keep noticing other women with thin hair too!
Keep in touch.
Linds

Hi Linds Gosh you seem to be in a bad way :( poor you I do hope you start to feel better really soon .What does the doctor say regarding the upset stomach ? I know you are seeing a gastro doc in Sept but that seems ages away and it not fair on you going through this everyday.Can,t they get you a sooner appointment I know the nhs is rubbish but even so .Have you tryed improving your diet I`m eating spinage everyday,red meat and anything else I can get my hands on to that contains iron.... just a thought are you still drinking the guinness ? I had to stop as guess what, it cause me to have diarrohea could this be your problem ? It might be worth trying to give it up for a few days .
I don`t know about you but I,m starting to get to the stage where I don`t wont to go out I,m dreading the school reopening I`m trying to put a brave face on it but it`s so much easier to stay behind closed doors .I wish I knew when or even if my hair will grow back this really sucks dosen`t it .
Cinderellas story does give me hope like it dose you I just hope we can follow in her footsteps she took 6 months (I be bloody blad by then )for hair growth which would tie in with 3 months to get you levels up and 3 more months for the cycle of hair growth ................. Febuary...........I DON`T wont to wait that long .Oh well at least instead of the chocolate and cheap perfume I normally get for Christmas this year I can ask for wigs and hats .:D Well Linds I `m off to bed I m so sleepy :yawn: is it the lack of iron or lack of fresh air I don,t know .sorry for being so down I just feel fed up today Take care of your self and that tum Julie :wave: P.s I promise I will put that recipe on line tom

Hi, guys, just a reply to your questions. I guess looking back I didnt realize I was losing hair, I noticed a lot coming out but thought it was due to hair breakage after colouring my hair. it was probably coming out from all over but until the baldy looking patches at the front it didnt really get my attention!! So I guess the front was last to go. I mostly took the iron supplement and on occasion took a multi also. I didnt do much to my hair except I had to move the parting away from the baldy bit. I feel I have lost a lot of hair as it was so thick you couldnt see where it came out of the scalp and now its very see-through. I would love to know when it will all grow back. No one seems to know the real answer, I have seen 6-12 months. Keep those iron levels up!

Hi Julie,
I cut the guiness out cause i thought it could be that and guess what 'no difference'. I do think alot of it is anxiety though, due to iron, my hair etc.
Ive got that i hate going out, reasons being - i need to be near a loo and that i am sooo paranoid about my hair.
Ive been out for my tea today with my inlaws, and my niece pipped up at the dinner table 'lindsay, do you know your going bald? (i swear i could of ripped her head off - but kids dont understand) i just went to the loo and had a little cry.
Cinderella, i ve stopped colouring my hair as i know it obviously doesnt help, but my hairs quite dark and i had blonde highlights, which now have a 6inch regrowth which personally i think makes my hair look worse. So if anybody has any advice on colouring it would be greatly appreciated.
You guys are a big help to me though, because i know im not alone.
Maybe we should start up our own baldy club.

Hi Linds:wave: Children don`t understand do they ,its not there fault but it really cuts you in half when they come out with remarks .
I`m sending you a big cyber hug and I truely belive that things will get better for you and me .Life is like a wheel of futune we all have our ups and downs but no one can stay at the top for too long, same as no one can stay at the bottom for too long and I`m sure we are due a turn at the top.
You are really having a horrible time at the moment its bad enough that we need iron to correct our problems but it must be harder for you as you are feeling so poorly.But keep fighting .YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

Now I must tell you about this excellent book I got from the libery its
called Hair savers for women by Maggie greenwood robinson Ive only just got it so Ive not read much but I have flicked though regarding dying your hair there is bit in the book about that it says you should avoid products formulated with peroxide and ammonia .Both of these can damage hair and scalp .peroxide assaults keratin ,so you should consult your dermatologist before deciding whether or not to colour or high light hair .
Also theres abit about Nioxin .It is deisigned to get rid of a mite that is commenly found in hair .They belive that this mite demodex folliculorum is responsible for hair loss in alot of men and women.
I would recomend you get this book your liberey might have a copy or amerzon has it, the cheapest is around £6.50 .I will let you know anything else I learn from this book in the mean time I hope you feel better soon Take care Julie :wave:

Julie.
Thank you so much for your kind thoughts - big hug back to you.
Im certainly going to invest in that book!
To be honest im not noticing any results with the nioxin (but i am very impatient), so all i can say is 'thank god for john frieda and his thickening products - which i use religiously and they actually make my hair feel thicker (especially the thickening mouse).
As for the wheel of fortune, the bloody thing will proberbly break down before i get half way up to the top (lol).
Keep in touch, i really feel ive found a mate here.
Linds

Julie.
Thank you so much for your kind thoughts - big hug back to you.
Im certainly going to invest in that book!
To be honest im not noticing any results with the nioxin (but i am very impatient), so all i can say is 'thank god for john frieda and his thickening products - which i use religiously and they actually make my hair feel thicker (especially the thickening mouse).
As for the wheel of fortune, the bloody thing will proberbly break down before i get half way up to the top (lol).
Keep in touch, i really feel ive found a mate here.
Linds
Hi Linds ,I hope you have had a better few days .I don,t know if you have had any luck getting that book yet.I have been reading mine and its very good .I ve stared drinking green tea ,even though it tastes worse than Guiness ,as its mean,t to slow down hair loss .Your mean`t to drink 4 cups a day so far I have only managed two as it makes me feel so sick .But I m going to persit .I had nearly 150 hairs fall out yesterday after I washed my hair and it scared me
I also have been stressed I didn`t realise till today how stressed I was .I know that sounds crazy !:dizzy: but I have had a few jobs on these last few weeks and even though its nothing like it used to be ,(I used to work nearly 13 hrs a day ),as I have cut down I was still feeling pressured to get everything done on time but I have the next two weeks off so I`m going to sit and do nothing well thats the plan but I do find it very hard to sit and do nothing.
I `m also going to buy (if I can find any) a product called Kevis its a lotion that I read about in that book and it sound amazing some people notice a difference after two weeks thats that results I wont .I will let you know how I get on .
Take care Linds,:wave: Julie

Hi Julie,
Sorry its taken me a while to reply, but ive had a few family issues going on - but all sorted now and back to normality (whatever that is).
Ive briefly done a search on the Kevis myself, and it sounds promising.
Ive just got a product from avon (advanced techniques ultra thick volumiser) which does seem to thicken what bit of hair ive got left (and it only cost £2.00).
Also its funny you mention about the stress, im constantly stressed and my doc says that too can contribute to hair loss!
Well, let me know if you get the kevis and if it works, i'll try anything!.
Take care
Linds

yes me also! hello girls how ya doin! lol kat here,
ive had hair loss for about 3 years thought it was just from thyroid i have also had low iron do you all have heavy periods? i think the thyroid causes this somewhat, my ferritin
was 13 and my iron was a low as 10 my ferri6tin is now 30 but even this is extremly low and also the hair loss is due to thyroid also,m please post back and let me know its a very interesting post and its a horrible thiong for us girls and its nice to talj to you , mine was also on the top more so i had a few extentions to boost my confidence im a hairdreser and im going tom learn how to do them myself it does givre you a boost and i use hair products on the top its a ..... my thyroid is in the so called normal range and its like having to things to fight cos the thyroid does your hair in and the iron!!! so are we fighting a loosing battle??? is there anything apart from iron to get the ferritin better??? lots of love from kat and im glad im not alone xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxx:wave: :wave: :wave:

Hi, when I asked my doctor why I get low in iron she said its because Im female with periods. I dont know what is classed as heavy, I have never compared myself to others. I guess usually the 2nd day I have to change my protection every 3 hours and always use super size, my period only lasts about 3/4 days. How does everyone compare to that?

Hi, I Have Been Going To The Doctors For Almost A Year Now And All I Have Heard About Was Gerd Because I Was Complaining About Chest And Shoulder Pain Alond With Dizziness And Hair Loss. About Two Weeks Ago My New Doctor Ordered Some Blood Work And Told Me My Iron Was Low And Started Me On Iron I Am Hoping It Helps.i Am Not Sure What Level Was What But One Was 1 Was Was 15 And The Hemoblin Was 10.6.i Had No Clue That There Was Different Parts To Iron Levels.i Went Back Yesterday To Have Them Rechecked And Found Out I Am Pregnant.this Worries Me Because Of Everything Else That Is Going On.if Anyone Has Any Advice Please Comment Because Now I Am A Nervous Wreck.

I always ask for the print out of my blood tests so I can keep track on them. just giving you a number doesnt help, on the print out I get it gives the normal range so you can see how good/bad your results are. They also state whether your counts are low or low/low deficient etc. I too have GERD but not to bad. I used to take meds for it but they lower your b12 and I have problems keeping my iron and b12 up anyway. Im not a red meat eater but eat everything else.

It sounds to me like you do not feel very informed and could be stressing out when you dont need to. Dont be afraid to ask questions.

Good luck with your pregnancy, at least you will be getting lots of medical attention.

Hi Julie,
I cut the guiness out cause i thought it could be that and guess what 'no difference'. I do think alot of it is anxiety though, due to iron, my hair etc.
Ive got that i hate going out, reasons being - i need to be near a loo and that i am sooo paranoid about my hair.
Ive been out for my tea today with my inlaws, and my niece pipped up at the dinner table 'lindsay, do you know your going bald? (i swear i could of ripped her head off - but kids dont understand) i just went to the loo and had a little cry.
Cinderella, i ve stopped colouring my hair as i know it obviously doesnt help, but my hairs quite dark and i had blonde highlights, which now have a 6inch regrowth which personally i think makes my hair look worse. So if anybody has any advice on colouring it would be greatly appreciated.
You guys are a big help to me though, because i know im not alone.
Maybe we should start up our own baldy club.linsaloo sorry if i spelled that wrong i have low ferritin and a thyroid dissorder and they both give you hair loss, its horrible isnt it i feel sad for you as im just starting to get used to it i have no idea what to do about my heavy periods and i take alot of liquid iron and its still only 30 with the thyroid prob its a double problem i really know what youre going through and im sending you all my love and support and i felt sad for you when you cried i guess they dont know but sometimes we wish they would shut up!!! the only product that gave me a bit more confident was thicker fuller hair in bots the chemist and i had some extensions also gave me a bit more confident i also have grown out blonde highlites i put them in myself as i dont want the haidresser to see my hair!!! thinking of you lots of love from a fellow person who is upset with there hairxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxlove from katxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi Kat,
Thanks for your support, its good to know that we are all here in the same boat to try to help each other out.
have you seen your doctor about your periods? I was put on the mini pill to try to help with heavy bleeding (i was supposed to have surgery-but i chickened out). Before my iron infusions my ferritin was 3 (im not sure what it is at present as im still having the infusions every week - last one on wednesday HOORAY!!!)
Arent hair extensions very expensive though? Boots do lots of John Freida thickening products that i find are quite good and also a natural iron supplement called spatone (that doesnt cause any side effects.
On the thyroid problem,every blood test i have mine shows as boarderline underactive - but not low enough to warrant taking thyroxine, but the symptoms for both iron defeciency and thyroid problems are very similar.
Keep in touch, i think we all have an understanding here!
Linds

Hi LInds ,So sorry its taken me sooooo long to write back I have had a crap week .I can honestly say I have never felt so ill in all my life .All I won`t to do is sleep ,sleep ,sleep ,I ache all over and fell so weak is this normal ?I don`t know I,m going to see the doc on Wednesday .To see what he says .
I hope you are felling a little better when is your hospital appointment its real soon isn`t it ?
I hav`nt had any luck with that new product but I have been taking Biotin as its mean`t to be good for hair and nails. I don`t know about you but I am fed up with taking bloody pills and eating healthy all I wont is to drink tea and coffee all day and eat rubbish but I know I can`t.I `m fed up with this I wont to get better now I don`t won`t to wait .Wish I had the money to go private and see a specialist .well linds I hope you are well take good care of your self my freind Julie :wave:

Hiya Julie,
Im sorry your having a crap time at the moment, i truly understand how you feel. I can honestly sleep for 12 hours and still feel knackered!
As for the nioxin - well i havent noticed a scrap of difference, im just piling on every thickening product going. Its just sooo depressing.

Whats biotin? Have you tried sea kelp (its supposed to be good for your hair & nails too), but i think its a case of what works for one doesnt always work for someone else, its proving to be a very expensive case of trail and error.
I too wish i could afford to see a trichologist - but again is it more money down the drain just to be told 'your iron deficent, your hair will come back once your iron levels rise!' (arrrahhhggg - i bloody know that i just want a magic overnight cure!
I hope you start to feel better soon, ive got my last infusion on wednesday (hooray), but this cycle i honestly havent felt any better, if anything i feel worse - so lets see what the blood results say.
Take good care of yourself, try and chill (i recommend a few glasses of wine) and keep in touch.
Lots of love to you and yours,
Linds

Hiya Julie,
Im sorry your having a crap time at the moment, i truly understand how you feel. I can honestly sleep for 12 hours and still feel knackered!
As for the nioxin - well i havent noticed a scrap of difference, im just piling on every thickening product going. Its just sooo depressing.

Whats biotin? Have you tried sea kelp (its supposed to be good for your hair & nails too), but i think its a case of what works for one doesnt always work for someone else, its proving to be a very expensive case of trail and error.
I too wish i could afford to see a trichologist - but again is it more money down the drain just to be told 'your iron deficent, your hair will come back once your iron levels rise!' (arrrahhhggg - i bloody know that i just want a magic overnight cure!
I hope you start to feel better soon, ive got my last infusion on wednesday (hooray), but this cycle i honestly havent felt any better, if anything i feel worse - so lets see what the blood results say.
Take good care of yourself, try and chill (i recommend a few glasses of wine) and keep in touch.
Lots of love to you and yours,
Linds
Hi Linds :wave: I m so pleased I found you and this site.Its so nice to chat with other people that are going through what Iam .Its nice not to feel so alone ,don`t get me wrong my hubby has been such a support I can honestly say I would be lost without him .But as with everything unless you experience it first hand you can`t know exactly what it feels like .
I went and saw my doctor today well not my doctor as he was on hoilday AGAIN .I don`t know why I botherd all she said was its proberly a virus a term they use when they don`t know or don`t care .My hair loss seemed to slow down a little last week and I was thinking great this might be it but its come back the last few days with avengents,could this have something todo with feeling rough ?
I have been thinking of you all day today, how was your infusion ? I hope you don`t feel as poorly as what you did last time .What happens for you now are you refered back to you G.P.And when will they know what your Ferritin levels are ?
Biotin is a supplerment which is mean,t to be very good for your hair that book I have ben reading recommends it so I thought I`d give it a try .
Take care Linds Love to you too Julie xxxx:wave:

Hiya Julie,
Had my infusion today (so far so good),ive to go back next week for my bloods taking to see how my levels are.

Personally, i think we are more prone to "viruses" (although i agree with you on the 'dont know whats wrong/cant be arsed theary), but i seem to pick up everything thats going around, so maybe thats why you feel like crap.
I also find my hair loss seems to happen in fits and starts, i can go a few days where i dont notice as much in the hairbrush/shower etc, then it seems i shed a load at once.

I was at a wedding this weekend, and i managed to put my hair up (although it took hours to do), i managed to cover up my balding bits and i wasnt quite as paranoid (although the champagne did help slightly) and got a few comments on how nice my hair looked (maybe though just family trying to make me feel better? - dont it make you sooo paranoid).
Anyway, i cant be bothered (and havent got the energy to get up at 5.00am every day just to ponce about doing my hair) plus at the chemo/heamo unit today i took stock of women having chemo that had lost ALL their hair, so i felt a bit selfish for whinging on so much.

I sincerely hope your feeling better this week, i know how hard it is juggling work, toddlers (and pubecent teenagers). Im coming back as a man!
Big cyber hug to you,
Lindsay.

Hi Linds:wave: I `m pleased you are feeling good after your infusions and I hope it continues .
Your so right when you think about what some people go though we seem to have an easy ride, but it is so easy to get caught up in our own black cloud .But Iam going to do my best and be posivite .
It would be so nice if someone who has gone through what we are going through and come out the other side completly better could tell us they story I seem to have only come across people who are almost there.
I pleased you had a good time at the wedding and that your hair was so nice ,do you remember the days when a quick brush a bit of hairspray and you was good to go ..............how I miss thoughs days .(positive thinking here:- won`t be too long now and that WILL be us ):D :D :D :D
Yes I will be coming back as a man in my next life you never know I might be able to drink guinness then without feeling so sick .
Well take good care of yourself a big ciber hug to you too.lots of love Julie :wave:

Hi linds :wave: Thought I`d quickly add to my last post. For our hair to stop falling out you will need a Ferritin level of 40 and we both now that it has to be 70 for regrowth also I,m going to try and get some liquid liver :eek: sounds horrible dosen`t it but its a tablet(thank god ) its mean`t to be packed full of iron as much as raw liver :eek: :eek: got to worth having a go .Went shopping yesterday and saw a friend I haven`t seen for a while I swear she spent the whole time we were chating looking at my head .But I don`t care (positive thinking here)this is just a SHORT phase in my life I have gained alot from this experience ,a desire to improve my health ,don`t take anything for granted and of course made some good friends one inparticular .
Hope you are feeling well and keeping positive .Take care and bless you and your family Julie xxxxxxxx:D
P.s there is a wine called santagin or something like that it is packed with iron I,m going to check this out might be better than the guinness will let you know how I get on .:wave:

Julie,

The wine you mentioned is produced by santogen (the vitamin makers!) Its called tonic wine (i think) and its full of iron though it has quite a high alcohol content (and me being greedy could not just stop at one glass - id have to do the whole bottle! (but i suppose its more lady like than sat with a pint of guiness).
Im having my bloods done on tuesday to see if my levels have improved (heres hoping) and im gonna try anything to try and keep them up, and on a good note my bowel issues seem to have settled down over the last week too!

I know what you mean about what you said about seeing your friend, i always feel that people are talking to the top of my head, so i try to avoid people that are taller than me - lol (either than or im gonna have to invest in some very high heeled shoes to curb this paranoia.
Anyway Julie, keep in touch one way or another, I truly feel that ive found a good friend in you, we will get there in the end.
Cyber hugs and stuff,
Linds

Hi Linds :wave:
I will be thinking of you on Tuesday I hope your levels have increased .Do let me know as soon as you find out .
I,m going to buy some of that Santogen I can totally understand where you are coming from ,I can drink a whole bottle ,but I have felt so much better for giving up drink except for the Guiness which I have felt worst for drinking (yuk) .So I`m going to .....well try and only drink a little at a time.But if I`m honest I have missed my wine,and coffee and tea and all the other crap I used to eat and drink (you know what I mean don`t you)Its amazing the things we will eat ,drink and do WITHOUT when we need to .Take care Linds .Love and hugs Julie :wave:

Please read and follow the posting rules.

scooby just wondering, in nz our ranges are different, below 20 is deficient, I was 19 and my hair fell out, so am wondering what level I need to be for regrowth, any ideas. thanks.

scooby just wondering, in nz our ranges are different, below 20 is deficient, I was 19 and my hair fell out, so am wondering what level I need to be for regrowth, any ideas. thanks.
Hi Cinderella ,
From what i have read on various sites for hair to stop falling out your ferritin levels need to be around 40 and for regrowth they need to be 70 -90 .I hope this helps .
Do you know your level at present ?I,m going to get my level checked this week (if the doc agrees )Im hoping its gone up from 12.9 .
I as well as taking iron have been taking Biotin which helps the hair to grow and for it to come out of its resting phase .I`m` also going to take some prenantal vits as I read a story of a lady who had been having hair loss for years eventually she found out that she had low ferritin levels as well as taking iron she took biotin and prenantal vits ..not because she was pregant but because she was told it would help her body get all the vits it needed as these vits are made just for women .Anyway she has had a lot of hair growth and she is sure she is over the worst now .
I hope this helps and I hope you get lots of new hair really soon best wishes Julie :wave: