WOMEN: Hair Loss/Thinning Losing Shine and Lust?
Daisey4522
Posts: 171 Member
Have you noticed that your hair is thinning or even losing hair? Mine is becoming dry and is easily broken.
I am 27 years old. I have never had thick hair (the strands have always been very thin) but I looked at photos of myself when I was 24-25 and my hair was much shinier and thicker. I am not sure if it is due to lower calorie intake, increase in exercise, etc. The main difference is that I moved from TX to MD during that time. Could there be a difference in the water?
Have you experienced this problem? Please post any of the following that may have worked for you:
Supplements/Vitamins
Foods
Hair Products
I already take Calcium, Vitamin D, and Evening Primrose Oil for other reasons.
I am 27 years old. I have never had thick hair (the strands have always been very thin) but I looked at photos of myself when I was 24-25 and my hair was much shinier and thicker. I am not sure if it is due to lower calorie intake, increase in exercise, etc. The main difference is that I moved from TX to MD during that time. Could there be a difference in the water?
Have you experienced this problem? Please post any of the following that may have worked for you:
Supplements/Vitamins
Foods
Hair Products
I already take Calcium, Vitamin D, and Evening Primrose Oil for other reasons.
0
Replies
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I hear the more north your live the higher your chances for Vitamin D deficiency, which affects your hair, due to lower sun exposure. I did move north, but I also am already taking Vitamin D Supplements.0
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Hormones play a huge part in how our body responds & act's , you should have your hormone levels checked out , you are way to young for that to be happening,. also your throid could be the problem, that said I am 49 and take Biotin 5000mg's everyday great for hair & skin& nails.. I also eat very well, lot's of clean foods. check into your diet..0
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A change in water could affect the efficacy of your shampoo and other products. Also the change in weather/humidity from TX to MD. A change in hair products may be in order - what does your stylist say?
In general...are you getting enough protein (the building block of hair and nails)? Is there any relevant family history of thinning hair? Have your mother or other female relatives had a similar experience? Have you gone on/off hormonal contraceptives?0 -
A change in water could affect the efficacy of your shampoo and other products. Also the change in weather/humidity from TX to MD. A change in hair products may be in order - what does your stylist say?
In general...are you getting enough protein (the building block of hair and nails)? Is there any relevant family history of thinning hair? Have your mother or other female relatives had a similar experience? Have you gone on/off hormonal contraceptives?
TX to MD - Good point, I was in a very humid city in TX. My stylist told me not to brush my hair so hard. Which is actually a good point! I think that will help the breaking hair. But I'm not sure about why my hair is so dry and dull now.
Protein - I get a lot of protein in my diet. I definitely do not think that is a problem.
Family History - So my mother and her sisters all have more fine, limp hair. It's hard to compare to them though, because they all grew up in the 80's and treated their hair with chemicals for 20+ years -- They always had their hair permed. I am sure genetics is playing a role... but I just do not understand the dramatic change in only two years to much thinner and dull hair.0 -
Are you getting enough fat in your diet?
Low fat diets have some unpleasant side affects such as depression, brittleness in hair/nails, hair loss, fatigue.0 -
Hormones play a huge part in how our body responds & act's , you should have your hormone levels checked out , you are way to young for that to be happening,. also your throid could be the problem, that said I am 49 and take Biotin 5000mg's everyday great for hair & skin& nails.. I also eat very well, lot's of clean foods. check into your diet..
I have read that Hormones can play a role. My hormones have been changing recently... I can tell just by my cycle. A year and a half ago my cycle became not regular (when it had always been regular). Since about February I have been taking Evening Primrose and I have lost 30 lbs, which can affect hormone levels, and my cycle is back to being 100% regular to the day!
Thank you so much for bringing this up, because maybe it is my hormones and now that they are seemingly back on track my hair may get back to how it was a couple of years ago.
Would doctors normally order a hormone level test because of hair (would insurance cover it for such a young person)?0 -
Are you getting enough fat in your diet?
Low fat diets have some unpleasant side affects such as depression, brittleness in hair/nails, hair loss, fatigue.
I get a lot of protein but not enough fat. This is another great point! Maybe I can try to focus on increasing my fat intake. Thank you!0 -
How much fat are you getting in your diet, your body needs healthy fats. If, as part of your diet, you eat low fat everything and avoid fats, this could be the problem. Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E and Beta Carotine are some examples of fat soluble nutrients which require fat for your body to absorb it.0
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Are you getting enough fat in your diet?
Low fat diets have some unpleasant side affects such as depression, brittleness in hair/nails, hair loss, fatigue.
I get a lot of protein but not enough fat. This is another great point! Maybe I can try to focus on increasing my fat intake. Thank you!
I'd give this a try add more nuts and oils to your diet. Nut oils are great add them to salad and your cooking. Dairy fat can be beneficial too.0 -
You diary is closed, so I can't tell you if it is something in your diet. How many calories are you eating (under eating causes hair loss)? Are you hitting your iron, calcium, protein goals? Is fat high enough? Do you have a thyroid problem? Stress? Genetics? Anyone in your family have alopecia?
Have you been exposed to any insects or plants that can cause an allergic reaction?
There are tons of causes of hair loss. I suspect that your diet may have some impact. A lot of dieters under eat and fail to get enough fat and protein. The first time I dieted way back in 2001, I lost a lot of hair. My diet was low cal, but not nutrient dense. I didn't get nearly enough fat and protein and I certainly didn't eat enough foods rich in amino acids.0 -
Biotin!! Start taking Biotin! I always had thin hair, and noticed it was getting thinner the older I got. Started taking Biotin 8 months ago (or more) and I def. noticed a difference in my hair and fingernails. Give it a try.0
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See your doctor. There are medical conditions that can cause this.
If everything checks out, make sure you're not overly stressed and that you're getting enough fat in your diet.
And for soft, shiny hair, rinse it in beer once a week or so.0 -
Have you noticed that your hair is thinning or even losing hair? Mine is becoming dry and is easily broken.
I am 27 years old. I have never had thick hair (the strands have always been very thin) but I looked at photos of myself when I was 24-25 and my hair was much shinier and thicker. I am not sure if it is due to lower calorie intake, increase in exercise, etc. The main difference is that I moved from TX to MD during that time. Could there be a difference in the water?
Have you experienced this problem? Please post any of the following that may have worked for you:
Supplements/Vitamins
Foods
Hair Products
I already take Calcium, Vitamin D, and Evening Primrose Oil for other reasons.
Hi! Not really noticing my hair thinning, but my cosmetologist sister has! ....And I have thick hair! I have noticed it's not growing anymore! Many ppl pointed me to the path of the vitamin Biotin.
Biotin promotes healthy growth of hair, skin and nails. And....it helps with our energy and metabolisms. = win win!!!
Bought my first bottle of 5,000 mcg 1-2 weeks ago...4-month supply for $6 at my local Walmart! Haven't noticed any changes yet, but I guess it takes 3-4 weeks..?!
Worth a shot. Good luck!0 -
My mom has had this problem for years. But it only happens when she's restricting her calorie intake too much. Maybe spend some time calculating your BMR and TDEE to make sure you're getting enough calories. Good luck! :flowerforyou:0
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How much fat are you getting in your diet, your body needs healthy fats. If, as part of your diet, you eat low fat everything and avoid fats, this could be the problem. Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E and Beta Carotine are some examples of fat soluble nutrients which require fat for your body to absorb it.
Here is my daily fat intake for the past 90 days.
0 -
Biotin! I take a 5,000 mg pill each day with my daily multivitaim0
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How much fat are you getting in your diet, your body needs healthy fats. If, as part of your diet, you eat low fat everything and avoid fats, this could be the problem. Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E and Beta Carotine are some examples of fat soluble nutrients which require fat for your body to absorb it.
Here is my daily fat intake for the past 90 days.
What percent of fat is set, and what is your calorie goal? This just tells us how close you were to hitting the goal, not what the goal actually is.0 -
Prenatal vitamins! I've been taking them for a month and they have helped so much!! If you don't want to take those, take Folic Acid.0
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You diary is closed, so I can't tell you if it is something in your diet. How many calories are you eating (under eating causes hair loss)? Are you hitting your iron, calcium, protein goals? Is fat high enough? Do you have a thyroid problem? Stress? Genetics? Anyone in your family have alopecia?
Have you been exposed to any insects or plants that can cause an allergic reaction?
There are tons of causes of hair loss. I suspect that your diet may have some impact. A lot of dieters under eat and fail to get enough fat and protein. The first time I dieted way back in 2001, I lost a lot of hair. My diet was low cal, but not nutrient dense. I didn't get nearly enough fat and protein and I certainly didn't eat enough foods rich in amino acids.
Protein - I do really well on my protein goals.
Fat - It seems like I do not eat enough fat. I just posted a graph of the last 90 days of my daily fat intake.
Nutrition - I eat tons of vegetables, protein, etc everyday. The one area that I seem to go over in, is sodium, but I'm always under in sugar (I hear a lot of people are usually over in this area). I try for a net of about 1200-1300 calories (final calories after exercise). I use a Heart Rate Monitor to try to more accurately estimate the number of calories I am burning.
Allergies - I do not think I have been exposed to any plants or insects that have given me an allergic reaction. I generally am not allergic to much, at least that I know of.
Genetics - The women in my family tend to have fine, limp hair, so I think genetics does play a role. Just wondering why such a dramatic difference in only two year while I am so young.
Calcium - I have one medication that I take daily. The medication affects your ability to absorb calcium. So even though I consume enough calcium my stomach lining has trouble absorbing it. I take Calcium and Vitamin D Supplements for this reason.
Alopecia - No one in my family has this.
Thyroid Problem - My bloodwork looks amazing each time I have it done, so I do not think a thyroid problem. The last time I had it done was almost a year ago though. But I would say I noticed the changes in my hair back then too.
Stress - I am a very high strung person... I get easily stressed, but when I was 24-25 I was finishing my Master's degree in Cell and Molecular Biology so I would say that was a more stressful time than now.0 -
It looks like a lot of you are suggesting Biotin. Thank you so much! I am definitely going to try it.
Anyone who has taken Biotin, how long after taking it did you start to see a difference?0 -
Anemia can also cause hair loss, but you shouldn't supplement until you get a blood test and see your doctor. They will test your iron and hormones. And she/he will talk to you about what is going on in your life to determine the cause. It can be hormonal, nutritional, severe stress, or other causes. Are you eating enough protein and calories?
Taking silica might help.0 -
Actually, I think it shows the grams she's getting in total each day, which is helpful.How much fat are you getting in your diet, your body needs healthy fats. If, as part of your diet, you eat low fat everything and avoid fats, this could be the problem. Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E and Beta Carotine are some examples of fat soluble nutrients which require fat for your body to absorb it.
Here is my daily fat intake for the past 90 days.
What percent of fat is set, and what is your calorie goal? This just tells us how close you were to hitting the goal, not what the goal actually is.
OP -- A lot of vitamins are fat soluble and a lot of those vitamins help with hair growth and health. I don't really know what is the minimum amount of fat you need, but a typical day for me is 50-70 grams and I haven't had issues with my hair.0 -
See a doctor ASAP. It may be other underlying issues. If so, you can get the necessary treatment(s) available.
I ignored my thining hair and listened to other people and their remedies and it cost me dearly.0 -
You can go to a pharmacy and get a take-home hormone test. Sometimes it requires a consultation with the pharmacist before and after the test. Its about $150 and tells you if the levels of hormones are off. Your pharmacist can recommend vitamins and/or prescriptions that can help.
I did this and my levels were all out of wack. After about a month on the vitamin and presc that facial hair we all hate to see appearing was gone and my hair and nails looked alot better. My cycle was regular again and I felt better to.
Also, almost all people have a vitamen D deficiency and don't know it. Taking V-D is always a good idea. If you cant figure out if its the change in atmosphere, diet, stress or internal issues go see your doctor for a wellness exam.
If it helps, I grew up in WI and my hair was really rough because the water was loaded with lead and calium. After I left and moved south the water got a little softer and my hair is now much smoother. Dont see that the bad water would cause loss, but it can change the texture.0 -
Actually, I think it shows the grams she's getting in total each day, which is helpful.How much fat are you getting in your diet, your body needs healthy fats. If, as part of your diet, you eat low fat everything and avoid fats, this could be the problem. Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E and Beta Carotine are some examples of fat soluble nutrients which require fat for your body to absorb it.
Here is my daily fat intake for the past 90 days.
What percent of fat is set, and what is your calorie goal? This just tells us how close you were to hitting the goal, not what the goal actually is.
OP -- A lot of vitamins are fat soluble and a lot of those vitamins help with hair growth and health. I don't really know what is the minimum amount of fat you need, but a typical day for me is 50-70 grams and I haven't had issues with my hair.
Yes the graph shoes grams of Fat. MFP set it to a goal of 50 grams of fat a day, and as you can see I do not meet that goal nearly enough. My calories are set at 1460, but I admit I am happier if my net is 1200-1300 instead of the max.0 -
Anemia can also cause hair loss, but you shouldn't supplement until you get a blood test and see your doctor. They will test your iron and hormones. And she/he will talk to you about what is going on in your life to determine the cause. It can be hormonal, nutritional, severe stress, or other causes. Are you eating enough protein and calories?
Taking silica might help.
Yes I believe I am getting enough protein and calories. It's fat that I am not getting enough of (I posted a graph of last 90 days).0 -
You can go to a pharmacy and get a take-home hormone test. Sometimes it requires a consultation with the pharmacist before and after the test. Its about $150 and tells you if the levels of hormones are off. Your pharmacist can recommend vitamins and/or prescriptions that can help.
I did this and my levels were all out of wack. After about a month on the vitamin and presc that facial hair we all hate to see appearing was gone and my hair and nails looked alot better. My cycle was regular again and I felt better to.
Also, almost all people have a vitamen D deficiency and don't know it. Taking V-D is always a good idea. If you cant figure out if its the change in atmosphere, diet, stress or internal issues go see your doctor for a wellness exam.
If it helps, I grew up in WI and my hair was really rough because the water was loaded with lead and calium. After I left and moved south the water got a little softer and my hair is now much smoother. Dont see that the bad water would cause loss, but it can change the texture.
I may not actually be losing hair... I think it may just be breaking and is not as shiny. Since it is breaking it seems so much thinner.0 -
Are you anemic? I am and I have developed hair loss because of that, I am only 25.0
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Are you anemic? I am and I have developed hair loss because of that, I am only 25.
I do not think so. If I was anemic I would not have energy, right?0 -
True, I could not go a day without a nap. Do you have bald spots?0
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