Does everyone lose their hair?

infinitevast

Hello. Started my weight loss journey back in January and have lost 71 pounds so far. For the past couple of months I've started noticing a LOT of hair loss. When I shower, brush or do anything to it. I'm always pulling what feels like handfuls out. It's not usual for me. Was wondering if anyone else had experienced the same or if it's even related to the weight loss? Thanks!

BigT555

how much are you eating daily?

this is a sign of malnutrition

ljmcf

This has actually happened to me twice - although I always put it down to stress!

infinitevast

I eat about 1200-1250 calories a day. Rarely go under . I did go out and buy a multivitamin. I'm hoping this may help..

ag27404

how much are you eating daily?

this is a sign of malnutrition

Yes - hair loss is a big concern.

trainguy917

how much are you eating daily?

this is a sign of malnutrition

^^ This. If you're at 1200 calories or less and aren't eating back your exercise calories and/or you're severely restricting a particular food group, you may be malnourished.

Frappleberry

When I was at my heaviest it happened to me, docs tested for thyroid issues. Apparently hair loss is associated with an under active thyroid. Mine wasn't in the end but I was very low in iron and vitamin D, I was also very tired all the time. Now on iron supplements and things are better. Maybe ask your doctor for some tests, hope this helps

BigT555

I eat about 1200-1300 calories a day. Rarely go under . I did go out and buy a multivitamin. I'm hoping this may help..

are you exercising on top of this?

i dont mean to freak you out, it could be stress as the other poster said, or hormone changes due to the new weight loss

WifedUpMartin

The same has happened to me. I'm definitely not malnourished and I feel like I eat MUCH better than I used to because now I actually eat veggies and fruits and that never used to happen. My hair has gotten MUCH thinner to the point where it's starting to worry me. I've even tried taking a biotin supplement and I haven't really seen a difference. Sorry I can't help but you're not alone because it's happeneing to me too! I've lost around 60 pounds (had lost close to 90 at my lowest last year but put some back on and am just now coming back to get it off and keep heading in the right direction).

Grumpsandwich

I had lost too. Mine was breakage from having to wash my hair twice as much as i used to combined with the excessive sweat and pulling my hair back and wearing bandanas all the time to keep it out of my eyes when i worked out. I ended up having to cut my hair short

TavistockToad

my hair has got a lot better since i started eating better, even eating at a deficit (though it's only a small deficit anyway)

michellesz

There are many factors to consider. Everyone loses hair. It happens during your morning shower, while you're blowing it dry, or when you give it a quick brush—and that's normal. On average, we lose fifty to a hundred hairs a day, note to quote, but that's just hair going through its cycles, and there will be a new one to replace it. But hair loss may be a sign of medical conditions as well. Excessive weight loss or stress can trigger, it can be hereditary, due to thyroid, iron deficiency, excessive styling etc. If you have any serious concerns, I would suggest checking with your doctor.

BombshellPhoenix

How's your dietary fat intake? I've never experienced with, even with a 53 lb loss but that was over 9 months.

UpEarly

I did lose A LOT of hair as I neared my goal weight - but it all grew back! I was not malnourished. I only cut about 250 calories a day from my TDEE, ate over 2,000 calories a day and lost slowly.

I had bloodwork done to check my thyroid and vitamin levels. Everything came back normal, so my doctor diagnosed it as telogen effluvium (http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/effluviums) and said it is not uncommon in people who lose a significant amount of weight. Losing 66 pounds causes a pretty measurable shift in a person's hormones. It was enough to kick start a bout of telogen effluvium for me.

galprincess

Hi

Im coming at this from a different angle im a qualified hairdresser and yes its common for people to lose hair that is being replaced , hair falls out for all types of reasons stress, grief, genetics, alopecia what you need to know is hair is a protein so you need to make sure your diet especially if towards 1200-1300 is full of what your body needs calcium and protein, whole grains and fresh fruit and veg or frozen and lots of water. Look at your nails if they are brittle then the bigger picture is yes you may be lacking in essential vitamins and minerals. I would suggest seeking medical advice

infinitevast

No, I don't work out. I am on my feet for about 8 hours a day though. I run child care out of my home and they can be very demanding at times

ew_david

There are many factors to consider. Everyone loses hair. It happens during your morning shower, while you're blowing it dry, or when you give it a quick brush—and that's normal. On average, we lose fifty to a hundred hairs a day, note to quote, but that's just hair going through its cycles, and there will be a new one to replace it. But hair loss may be a sign of medical conditions as well. Excessive weight loss or stress can trigger, it can be hereditary, due to thyroid, iron deficiency, excessive styling etc. If you have any serious concerns, I would suggest checking with your doctor.

This.

I pull out what feels like a lot of hair every day. I'm not malnourished in any way, shape, or form.

WBB55

Have you been to the doctor since your weightloss? After losing 100 lbs, at my next doctor appointment when they did my blood work, my doctor was VERY concerned about me (and with good reason). I had tons of malnutrition issues, not the least of which was osteoperosis at a young, young age and anemia.

I don't know you, and I'm not a doctor. I don't know if you've been lifting weights and walking while losing. But if you're losing hair, that's not a good sign. It's possible you also lost bone. If you are active or plan to become active (like downhill skiing or bike riding) I HIGHLY URGE YOU to get a bone density test and get some medical advice. Or, conversely, if you aren't active, start a gentle but progressive program of self-supported, medium-impact aerobic exercises (walking, running, roller skating) where you "jar" the bones a little every time you take a step. This will help regrow bone density. I don't mean to scare you. I just want you to know that bone loss is a huge risk of losing a lot of weight and not watching your micronutrients.

(edited for: english is hard)

infinitevast

I did lose A LOT of hair as I neared my goal weight - but it all grew back! I was not malnourished. I only cut about 250 calories a day from my TDEE, ate over 2,000 calories a day and lost slowly.

I had bloodwork done to check my thyroid and vitamin levels. Everything came back normal, so my doctor diagnosed it as telogen effluvium (http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/effluviums) and said it is not uncommon in people who lose a significant amount of weight. Losing 66 pounds causes a pretty measurable shift in a person's hormones. It was enough to kick start a bout of telogen effluvium for me.

Effluvium...I will need to look into this. Thank you.

TavistockToad

No, I don't work out. I am on my feet for about 8 hours a day though. I run child care out of my home and they can be very demanding at times

your ticker says you're at goal... shouldnt you be eating at maintenance, not 1200 cals?

erkerns

A few years ago I lost a lot of hair when I switched to a different birth control. Have you just started or changed any medications?

tuckeychicken

:frown: I have the same problem, but I don't think for me it is because I am not eating good food, mebe not enough, but I sure am trying I'm just full. Let us know what happens in the future with the vitamins.

chivalryder

You started in January.

So, that's at most 26 weeks you've been doing this.

You've lost 71 lbs so far.

That's a minimum of 2.7 lbs per week. TOO FAST!

I'd be willing to bet you're malnurished and your body is starting to suffer because of it. EAT MORE whole foods, get more calories in, at least 500 more calories every day, and slow down your weight loss. You didn't gain 71 lbs in 26 weeks, why would you try to lose it in 26 weeks?

infinitevast

Thanks everyone. I don't feel like I'm malnourished but it does seem that I should get myself checked out just to rule any other issues out. I appreciate everyone's input. The hair loss is so extreme it can be quite alarming at times. Doctor here I come!

chivalryder

No, I don't work out. I am on my feet for about 8 hours a day though. I run child care out of my home and they can be very demanding at times

your ticker says you're at goal... shouldnt you be eating at maintenance, not 1200 cals?

With this informatin, I'm going to guess you're 25, 5'6" and weigh 150 lbs.

If that's the case, if you're on your feet 8 hours every day, and you're eating maintenance, you should be eating 2000+ calories EVERY DAY. You're at an 800 calorie deficit. EAT MORE.

allaboutthecake

Yep. But mine was from stress overload & not from dieting. I do take the hair/skin/nails vitamin that GNC puts out. It helps.

TinyBriony91

If you are worried, see your doctor. Though if it helps, my hair comes out in masses every time I brush my hair or wash it or pretty much do anything! It is everywhere, my partner is always picking it up from around our flat. It has been happening for years and years, and I have an absolute lion's mane of hair lol. x

infinitevast

No, I don't work out. I am on my feet for about 8 hours a day though. I run child care out of my home and they can be very demanding at times

your ticker says you're at goal... shouldnt you be eating at maintenance, not 1200 cals?

I just reached that initial goal this past week. I am starting a new goal now of a 30 more pound loss.

Meerataila

Often hair loss is noticed about two to three months after the triggering cause, so you might want to look back three months on what medication you were taking, your stress level, and your diet.

http://www.webmd.com/beauty/hair-health-11/hair-stress-effect?page=2

Mischievous_Rascal

You need to set adequate calorie and macro goals, especially fat goals. As a woman, our hormones are heavily regulated by fats and if you're not getting enough, you can lose your hair. You should be running your numbers after every 5-10 pounds lost. The closer you are to goal, the closer you should be getting to your maintenance calories. Check this out.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

59gi

Have your Doctor check your thyroid. Meanwhile take a good multivitamin and eat more protein.