I'm losing handfuls of hair everyday. It has been since Sept. My hair is naturally thick and now it is painfully thin. I'm really concerned. I started a low fat diet in May. By July I had dropped about 15lbs. In all, I have lost about 20-25lbs since the start. Another compounding factor, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in Aug.. So I have continued the low fat diet b/c of the MS dx. I have been eating healthier than I ever have. My diet consist of chicken and turkey (wht meat only), fish, fruit, veggies, nuts, lots of frozen yogart (my treat), cereals, pastas, rice, etc... I do eat soy. Does soy cause hair loss? Does this sound like diet or weight loss is causing the hair loss? Or is it MS? Or is it something totally different? Neuro ordered blood test for my thyroid to check that. Results next week. Any suggestions to promote hair growth? Thnx
The low fat could be the culprit. Your thyroid also. If your are peri or post menopausal, it could be a lack of estrogen. But, I'd suspect the low fat.
First off im sorry your dealing with the MS diagnosis, on the positive side there are some tremendous meds to keep it at bay
As for your HL it could be a number of things, but I doubt your MS is actually causing the hl -probably stress with your diagnosis- going through getting diagnosed- dealing with the worries of that along with your recent weight loss (congrats on that by the way) and possible perimenapause - drops in estrogen can cause hair loss. The way your describing sounds like Teleflum Efflugium where you loose hair suddenly due to a traumatic event. If its diffuse and not leaving bald patches anywhere and its sudden meaning you did not have thinning in any way prior, its safe to say its a temp shed. It could have easily been triggered by stress and dietary changes. There are other genetic forms of hair loss but its more slow and from the top and crown of the scalp. But it does not sound like you are describing this so it sounds more like a TE shed and it can take up to 6 mos for a TE shed to stop- it tends to taper off
Thanks for the responses. Forgot to mention that I'm 35 and still taking birth control pills. It could very well be stress. I'm handling my new dx well but it comes with full time job and 2 youngsters to take care of. My life is pretty hectic. I'm glad to hear that it may just be a temporary shed. However, if it can last up to 6 mos. I will have bald areas. So far, no scalp is showing but my hair is terribly thin. I can't change my diet. I'm sticking with the low fat for medical reasons. I will find out results from my thyroid test soon. Was there any advise for how to promote hair growth? Any success with shampoos on the market, etc..?
You could try the Rogaine for women.
But use Retin A with it.
It was al found out, that that applying Retin-A with Minoxidil increases the absorption of Minoxidil on the hair.
Minoxidil is the main incredient in Rogaine.
Retin-A should be applied separately from Minoxidil.
If you mix them together, you will weaken them.
Put the Retin-A on your hair, then wait 15 minutes till it dry's.
Then apply the Minoxidil on your hair.
For shampoos, I like the Thicker Fuller Hair.
They sell that in CVS.
Thats a very good shampoo.
It has alot of good ingredients.
Anther great shampoo is called Abba Creme moist.
Do a search of it online or look on E bay.
Remember they spell creme like that.
Its got the best ingredients and feels really good on your hair.
It lathers really nice.
It will improve your hair shaft.
It has Cherry Bark, Almond, Wheat Protein, Wheat Starch, Soy, Aloe, Chamomilla, Flower extract, Cucumber, Amino acids.
I would not recommend using minoxidil on your hair until you find the cause of your hair loss first!!! It could be a number of things... the change in your diet, the bcp's you are taking (some of them can cause hair loss), your thyroid, lowered estrogen... please have a full blood test workup before you start slathering your scalp with unnecessary chemicals such as minoxidil and retin-a...
What BCP's are you taking? Please let me know your thyroid results... Is your doc also doing a hormone panel test as well? I would be interested in seeing what your DHEA, Estradiol and Testosterone levels are...
Again I thank you for the responses. As you know, hairloss is a frightening thing! I'm just starting to really get concerned about this issue so I haven't had my doctors test all of those things. I just started with the thyroid because I knew that could be a problem. I thank you for the list of things to test for. I made an appointment with a Dermatologist for tomorrow. I will make sure he covers all of those test. I have had my hormones tested in the past and they were out of whack! From what I recall my free testosterone was very high. I can't remember the other results, it's been a few years. I will repost in a week or so when I have more answers. I agree that I will hold of on the stronger meds/shampoos until I know. I might start with some of the better store bought shampoos/conditioners. Thnx!!!!!
You are quite welcome! High testosterone (as well as low estrogen) are very common hair loss triggers... sometimes they can be reversed with something as simple as a birth control pill... (side note on the bcp: make sure that it is a BCP that is not androgenic... your doc will be able to tell you this... or you can ask me... hee hee)
Well, I'm discouraged. I went to a dermatologist actually a PA-C (physician assistant). He doesn't want to run any test at this point. He is certain from my description (weight loss, diet, MS episode and dx) that it is just a temporary shed. Right away he said rogaine to keep the hair I do have and biotin for a supplement. He wants to see me in 1 month to see if the hair loss has slowed or stopped. I asked him again "are you sure you don't want to see my hormone levels, iron levels, etc?" No, not at this point. If things haven't improved for you in a month then we can run those. He says with cases like mine test usually are all normal and the loss is just do to stress imposed on the body. So I left his office disappointed. I got even more disappointed when I went to the store to buy Rogaine for women. Everything in the pamphlet says I shouldn't be using that product. It's not a gradual loss, hereditary, etc.. My loss is from systemic problems. Also, it says to apply it with a dropper to thin areas like along your part. My hair is thinning all over, a generalized thinning. I thought a spray, shampoo or something similar is what I need. Coverage everywhere. It's not 1 or 2 spots on my head. So, I started it today. I'm not sure why. I ran the dropper over several places on my scalp and kind of massaged the product in. I'm afraid it's going to make things worse. I'm going to go back for my 1 mo. appt and I'm going to be no better off. Very frustrating!
Listen here are some safe things to do for your hair
Take evening primrose oil you can get it anywhere and one doc said it does not matter what kind of hair loss you have, primrose can help nourish the hair.
Biotin
I take two tums daily for the calcium
b complex vitamins
I use tea tree oil shampoo from the health store it makes my scalp feel good
drink lots of water
Try try and be calm and not get to worried about it. I know what you mean mine is super fine also, I loose about 70 hairs a day, try once and count them you probably are loosing less then you think up to 150 a day is considered normal.
If it gets worse then go back and insist on the blood work. You mentioned elevated testosterone mine was borderline high and im having hl also, not sure what kind just yet. IM on Yasmin which is a hair friendly birth control pill, I know many others can actually be bad and androgenic!!!
First off... FIRE YOUR DOCTOR! If you request blood work, they need to run it... simple as that...
Secondly, most doctors are quick to say "Rogaine" even if it won't help because that is all they know... ESPECIALLY a PA... a PA is not a hair loss specialist and is in GENERAL practice only... You need the tests and you shouldn't do any sort of drug treatment until you have the tests done...
Yeah, it is odd that he doesn't want to run tests. In my experience, that's their first course of action. They usually suggest that the hair loss is a problem with your thyroid. The only way to find out is to get a blood test.
Last edited by kittywitty; 11-16-2006 at 08:38 AM.
I'm losing handfuls of hair everyday. It has been since Sept. My hair is naturally thick and now it is painfully thin. I'm really concerned. I started a low fat diet in May. By July I had dropped about 15lbs. In all, I have lost about 20-25lbs since the start. Another compounding factor, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in Aug.. So I have continued the low fat diet b/c of the MS dx. I have been eating healthier than I ever have. My diet consist of chicken and turkey (wht meat only), fish, fruit, veggies, nuts, lots of frozen yogart (my treat), cereals, pastas, rice, etc... I do eat soy. Does soy cause hair loss? Does this sound like diet or weight loss is causing the hair loss? Or is it MS? Or is it something totally different? Neuro ordered blood test for my thyroid to check that. Results next week. Any suggestions to promote hair growth? Thnx
Are you taking any of the ABC drugs? If so, that would be something to look at. Your diet is very healthy. Congratulations on losing weight.
Thanks for the help and interest you have all shown.
Kittywitty-Thyroid is the one blood test that I have got. It is normal. Hooray
Anony1- I'm not on the ABC's, yet. I'm starting Avonex in the next few weeks. I'm really concerned b/c I know that those can cause hair loss. That will be a confounding factor. I'm not sure what to do about that.
I did start the Rogaine 2 days ago, per my dumb PA-C's instructions. The first 2 days I feel like it has been even worse. Can Rogaine make hair loss worse?
Anxiousme....I've heard that dermatologists are using Rogaine "off label" to speed up growth. Chemo, medications, stress, etc. Rogaine should not make hair loss worse. It takes time to take effect.
A friend has been on Copaxone for six months without any side effects. Good luck with Avonex.
Kittywitty-Thyroid is the one blood test that I have got. It is normal. Hooray
I know this is going to sound weird... but do you happen to know the value of your TSH test? The **** just changed the values and some doctors just don't know... Your TSH should be between .3 and 3.0 for it to be normal...
Quote:
Originally Posted by anxiousme
I did start the Rogaine 2 days ago, per my dumb PA-C's instructions. The first 2 days I feel like it has been even worse. Can Rogaine make hair loss worse?
Minoxidil is known to cause an initial shed... it is common for this to happen but "they say" that the hair that comes out is only hair that would have come out anyway... the process is just sped up a bit... I hope the Rogaine works for you...
Anony1- Glad to hear your friend is doing well with the copaxone. The Avonex is a different type of drug. It is an interferon. A little harsher. It is similar to chemo drugs. We will see how it goes.
Mudd- I don't have the labs in front of me but the TSH was in range at 1.2 (I think). I was more concerned with the other test. There was one other value. I think it was T4. It was 11.4, in range according to the lab range. The values on the web are a little lower and would put my value slightly above. I'm not sure which of the two values is more important when assessing your thyroid function, or is it both?
Just a note - hair loss is the same. I'm really trying to focus on not worring and stressing over it.
I would get your ferritin levels checked. This is important because I've read that you need to have at least a ferritin level of 70 or higher to grow hair. My level was very low and now I am on iron supplements. A major weight loss and poor diet can all contribute to hair loss. I'd stay away from the Rogaine. It sounds like there are many other factors in play. I too had a derm tell me to use Rogaine before doing any bloodwork. When it comes to hair loss..we need to advoacate for ourselves and look at the big picture of what caused it.
Fern-T Daily Engergizer is a great shampoo for people with thinning hair. It works well for me..I've seen an improvment. I alternate between Fern-T, Thicker Fuller Hair and Nizoral.
My hair is naturally thick and now it is painfully thin. I'm really concerned. I started a low fat diet in May. By July I had dropped about 15lbs. In all, I have lost about 20-25lbs since the start. Another compounding factor, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in Aug.. So I have continued the low fat diet b/c of the MS dx. I have been eating healthier than I ever have. My diet consist of chicken and turkey (wht meat only), fish, fruit, veggies, nuts, lots of frozen yogart (my treat), cereals, pastas, rice, etc... I do eat soy. Does soy cause hair loss? Does this sound like diet or weight loss is causing the hair loss? Or is it MS? Or is it something totally different? Neuro ordered blood test for my thyroid to check that. Results next week. Any suggestions to promote hair growth? Thnx
