Hair Loss and Losing Muscle

Fermina70

I am a little depressed. I paid a visit to my doctor to express some concerns. I started my counting calorie diet in October and lost 20 lbs. by mid-December. Two pounds a week...not unhealthy, right? Well, about three or four weeks ago (maybe more), I started losing my hair, especially in the shower and my urine has turned a dark yellow color. I don't drink anything BUT water so you can understand my concern.
So the visit to the doctor today confirmed that yes, my hair loss is because of my diet, which my doctor says may have been too aggressive. The color of my urine is because there were traces of protein and myoglobin found. He explained that myoglobin appears in urine because of muscle loss...also because of my diet.
I am now freaking out. Why is this happening all because I am trying to better myself by eating healthier??? Has anyone experienced this and do you have any advice...

sabrinafaith

what are you eating? are you eating a balanced diet of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy, fish, poultry, and meat? or did you cut out entire food groups? are you eating your exercise calories?

ratkaj

I don't have advise, but I'm so sorry... good luck!

Davis713

BUMP! The same thing is happening to me, but I have not discussed this with my Doctor....I should though. I think I will call tomorrow and talk to the nurse.

I have lost 40lbs since october 1st and I have not cut anything drastic just cutting portion size!

gryfin

i don't have any experience or advice, but i wanted to give you some support. everyone's body is a bit different and may require more or less of minerals and nutrients. many years ago, i experienced hair loss and a few other skin issues that were related to not getting enough zinc. i wasn't even dieting and thought i ate pretty healthy at the time.
i hope someone is able to shed light on this for you.

Cbandelier

I know that not eating enough fat can lead to hair loss. Not sure how much fat you eat, you might want to look into it.

AnnaPixie

Your Doctor or the people on MFP needs to look at your diet. It may be healthy to you, but it may not be healthy at all!!

Everyone's perception of 'healthy' can be very different.

Immediately I would say that a woman of your size, with very little to lose, shouldn't be losing 2lbs per week!! Search the forums for the posts where you should lose less per week as your body tried to hold on to the little fat reserves it has left.

But anyway, if I were you, I'd listen to your Dr and be less 'aggessive'.

Good luck :flowerforyou:

luv2ash

Yes, my hair is falling out as well--due to my weight loss--but am told it will get better, and it has because I started taking Biotin.

elid

I am very sorry. :frown: That's terrible news.

I am not a doctor or any kind of health care professional, but from what I have learned: Two pounds a week is most realistic if you are starting out very heavy (think morbidly obese). Otherwise, it's not going to be healthy. How much did you weigh at the start? I don't know what kind of things you eat or how many calories you eat, but it's very possible that you're not eating enough. You also might not be getting enough nutrition, which is why most nutrition guidelines say you shouldn't eat below 1200 calories a day; if you eat too little, you're at risk for malnutrition, not to mention weakness and slowing of your metabolism.

I can't see your diary, but if you think that sounds like you, I recommend *slowly* (like adding 100 more cals every 3 days) ramping up your calories until you are eating at least 1200 calories a day. Eat a well balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, and proteins. Taking a multivitamin supplement with one meal a day might help you too.

katmarsc

My hair was falling out due to stress from a surgery I had last March. It took about 6 mos before I noticed it stopping, i wish I could say it has grown back, but it hasn't as of yet. It has grown but no growth back to where it has fallen out. Then in December when I started here I noticed my hair breaking/falling again, not in the mass amount I experienced before but enough for me to notice. I asked the same question here last month, and someone advise that my diet was too low in protein... Honest to goodness, once I added more protein to my diet it has stopped, It looks shiny and healthy... not a doctor, but I would suggest adding protein, walnuts were also recommended...
Keep me posted...

chuckanderson

Can I see your diary?

MandeeSue

Wow..sorry I don't have any advice, but I hope you find out what's going on with your body soon. I know anything to do with your health can stress you out. I agree with the other post, look thru your diet and see if there is anything your not consuming, or consuming to little of. Maybe you can give the doctor a list of what you have changed and maybe that can pin point it. Good luck !
Keep us posted

chuckanderson

Just realized you were new....... but yes this was a combination of aggressiveness and probably fat shortage. You need plenty of fats and cholesterol to maintain proper steroid/hormone/marker levels. I would also suggest lifting a little weights if you were just doing cardio and consuming ~100g of protein.

luv2ash

I am wondering what made your doctor test for myoglobin. It is not a routine chemical that is analyzed on routine urine tests???? do you happen to know why he tested for this? I work for a urologist, and I have never even heard of this test, but will be researching it later tonight if I find time. Everyone loses 2 pounds a week consistently---even myself. I know one thing, I have not lost muscle. I am losing fat and gaining a lot of muscle as I continue to work out. Even my kids, family and friends are noticing the muscle (yea, I am a bit proud of myself for this). I am going to follow this thread and see what else I can learn

Fermina70

You are all welcome to view my diary. Not sure how to do that, though.

lillieann1952

hair loss and muscle loss can be caused by not eating enough protein. You have to have the protein to survive so you start utilizing the available protein....muscle.
same thing happened to me and my doc said to add chicken and fish, almonds and walnuts.

elid

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elid

You are all welcome to view my diary. Not sure how to do that, though.

To display your diary, up at the top, click the "Food" tab. Under that, click "Settings". Scroll to the bottom of the page, and you'll see your diary settings.

Fermina70

I am very sorry. :frown: That's terrible news.

I am not a doctor or any kind of health care professional, but from what I have learned: Two pounds a week is most realistic if you are starting out very heavy (think morbidly obese). Otherwise, it's not going to be healthy. How much did you weigh at the start? I don't know what kind of things you eat or how many calories you eat, but it's very possible that you're not eating enough. You also might not be getting enough nutrition, which is why most nutrition guidelines say you shouldn't eat below 1200 calories a day; if you eat too little, you're at risk for malnutrition, not to mention weakness and slowing of your metabolism.

I can't see your diary, but if you think that sounds like you, I recommend *slowly* (like adding 100 more cals every 3 days) ramping up your calories until you are eating at least 1200 calories a day. Eat a well balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, and proteins. Taking a multivitamin supplement with one meal a day might help you too.

I am 5'1" and weighed 135 lbs. when I started my diet. I eat fruits almost on a daily basis, lots of vegetables, and my chicken and turkey. After thinking about what you said, 2 lbs may have been too aggressive...but I will admit, when I started this, my calorie intake was from anywhere between 900 - 1000 a day. I have now increased my intake to 1300 - 1400. Good, right??

Fermina70

Can I see your diary?

I have made my diary available.

sabrinafaith

Number 1, considering your weight, you need to eat about 60-70 grams of protein A DAY
Number 2, you need about 25 grams of fiber a day as well
Number 3, except for the day you ate pizza, you are not eating enough fat. you need to eat things like salmon, avocado, peanut butter, almonds, etc... its just all about moderation.
Your body is telling you that what you are doing isn't healthy, which is why your hair is falling out.

AnnaPixie

[/quote]

"I am 5'1" and weighed 135 lbs. when I started my diet. I eat fruits almost on a daily basis, lots of vegetables, and my chicken and turkey. After thinking about what you said, 2 lbs may have been too aggressive...but I will admit, when I started this, my calorie intake was from anywhere between 900 - 1000 a day. I have now increased my intake to 1300 - 1400. Good, right??"
[/quote]

So now you weigh 115lbs? If you want to lose more, you definiutely need to drop your goal to 1/2 lb per week.

1200 is the minimum calorie intake. More if you are exercising! You need to exercise to build muscle.

Fruit and veg are healthy, but those alone do not constitue a 'healthy' diet. As everyone has said, you need good fats and protein too. Along with natural/whole carbs.

I take supplements for fats too - Cod liver oil. Eat anything with Omega 3 - salmon, mackerel, butternut squash, olive oil......etc

You'll sort it out. Best of luck :flowerforyou:

deb54

How is biotin making your hair fall out ? I am also taking it. Thanks ...

luv2ash

No, my hair loss is better since I started taking the Biotin, along with nail growth that I cannot keep up with -

MobiusMan

Simply stated from looking at your meals, you are starving yourself. There is a reason 1300 calories is where you should be. You should try to hit that number. going under by 5-10% is OK but 25-30% under on such small number is too much. Fat, protein and carbs are equally important and need to be considered.

The Urine color is from forcing Ketosis. you are actually consuming your muscle mass since there is no available fat in your diet ...SEE YOUR DOCTOR SOON and give him the whole story ou are edging toward some bad kidney issues if it continues.

Agchick07

It depends on what your diet is consisting of. Reducing your calorie intake too fast may cause your body to go into starvation mode, even though you may not be starving. Your body will start breaking down muscle before it breaks down fat. Fat is valuable packed energy and if your body thinks it's starving, it isn't going to break down the valuable stuff but other things like muscle...aka protein.

You may be reducing calories but becareful not to reduce nutrients. You should be getting about 20-30% protien, less than 30% and 50-60% carbs. Are you taking a multi-vitamin? It sounds like to me that you aren't getting enough protein. If your body isn't getting enough your hair will not grow and your body starts eating at itself to get the protein. Try to up your intake in protein and decrease your intake in carbs. Don't go all atkins, but try to correct the damage. Do this for awhile and see how you feel after a few weeks. I also suggest taking a fish oil supplement or vitamin E supplement to help heal the hair damage.

Don't forget to strength train either. Your body will build healthy lean tissues. Requiring your body to hold on to the protein. The more muscle dense a person is the higher their MBR is. Exercising is so important and that why when you work out you try to hit the fat burning range.
I'm no an MD, so if you have any question please do not hesitate to ask. I'm just an RN offering what medical nutrition knowledge I have.

Fermina70

Thank you everyone for your good advice!!! I am trying to "self-correct" now and hopefully continue to maintain my weight!!!

loseit4good52

Yes, my hair is falling out as well--due to my weight loss--but am told it will get better, and it has because I started taking Biotin.

Yes, BIotin is excellent for hair loss...really works great!