Hair falling out?

KateCon912
KateCon912 Posts: 200 Member
edited September 29 in Health and Weight Loss
I have lost 38 lbs so far but I'm losing something else too.. my hair! Has this happened to anyone else when they lost weight? Tons of it falls out throughout the day but especially when I'm showering. I have a ton of really thick hair so it's not like I'm going bald or anything, the hair I've lost so far has not made a difference really.. but it just worries me. Could I be lacking something in my diet? I take a multi vitamin and sometimes extra calcium. Every time I run my fingers through my hair at least 3 hairs come out. Any ideas? Thanks!

Replies

  • SwissTracey
    SwissTracey Posts: 34 Member
    This happened to me too. I think its from the drastic change to my diet. I have more to lose but I haven't been trying, just maintaining for several months now and the hair is regrowing. Like you I have a ton of hair so I wasnt going bald and no one noticed, but now I have a lot of new growth.
  • Cherese1983
    Cherese1983 Posts: 211 Member
    This happened to me last year. I was on Adipex and don't think I was getting enough nutrients. There is a vitamin for hair and nails called Biotin, try taking that and/or prenatal vitamins because those are really good vitamins to take.
  • lhanks89
    lhanks89 Posts: 90 Member
    The same thing has been happening to me, but I recently read an article that said the average person loses 50 - 100 hairs a day. And considering that the average person has 250,000+ individual hairs on their head, it should be ok.
  • CharityD
    CharityD Posts: 193
    Try increasing your protein. This happened to me in college when I was living on Cheerios and skim milk. You also may want to have your Thyroid checked.
  • dawnw30
    dawnw30 Posts: 270
    Me too! I can't see a difference like I am going bald or anything but it is really coming out in the shower! Kinda like after I had my kids every time. :wink:
  • alannablue
    alannablue Posts: 13
    This happened to me, too, for a year or two after I got my gastric bypass surgery. Now I'm four years out, and I stopped losing hair, so I think it has something to do with the weight loss - I don't think it has anything to do with being malnourished or anything - but especially with my surgery, my intake of nutrients was much lower, so maybe consult your doctor to find out the best way to replace those nutrients.
  • Avalonis
    Avalonis Posts: 1,540 Member
    Usually losing hair is a sign that your body is NOT getting the nutrients it needs. Either that, you you have male pattern baldness. I am thinking in your case its probably the former :)

    I'd talk to a nutritionist. You might be cutting too drastically, or simply not getting enough of a certain vitamin or something.
  • StrengthIDidntKnow
    StrengthIDidntKnow Posts: 543 Member
    I am losing a lot of hair. My dr told me it is usually one of 3 things, stress, thyroid or hormones. I am going to a dermatologist on Friday for more info. I am at the point now where my hairdresser has noticed the loss. I have lost about 20lbs this year.
  • KateCon912
    KateCon912 Posts: 200 Member
    Thanks everyone for your ideas! I think it is related to the weight loss and drastic change to my diet. If it gets any worse or I start noticing a major difference I will go to the doctor to get it checked out to make sure it's nothing more serious.
  • knittnponder
    knittnponder Posts: 1,953 Member
    Weight loss will affect your hormones and it's not uncommon to have hair loss as a result. Thyroid issues and nutritional deficiencies can also cause hair loss but you're most likely looking at the effects of the weight loss. It should taper off after awhile and you should begin seeing new hair growth. If that doesn't happen you will want to consult a doctor but if I remember correctly, when I lost 50 pounds several years ago it lasted a couple of months before it tapered off. I did start getting new hair growth before it stopped. I looked like a chia pet or something with all the wispy little new hairs sticking up all over!
  • Avalonis
    Avalonis Posts: 1,540 Member
    I looked like a chia pet or something with all the wispy little new hairs sticking up all over!

    Hahah, thats a funny image :D

    I always look like a Chia pet, with my short hair. My hair tends to stand straight up when its short.
  • dragonflydi
    dragonflydi Posts: 665 Member
    This happened to me early on, it was a vitamin deficiency. A lab test can tell you what you need to look closer at, which I would recommend for your health. In the meantime, you can take OTC biotin, which is good for hair and nails. It helped to re-strengthen mine after I got my nutritional issues under control :) Good luck!
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    Usually losing hair is a sign that your body is NOT getting the nutrients it needs. Either that, you you have male pattern baldness. I am thinking in your case its probably the former :)

    I'd talk to a nutritionist. You might be cutting too drastically, or simply not getting enough of a certain vitamin or something.

    I was going to say could be malnourishment.

    Are you eating all of the calories that MFP suggests. Daily goal+exercise calories, if not this could be why.
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