Weight Loss = Hair Loss

TerrieBNLWECHANGED

This is the second time in my life I've lost weight and with that weight loss came significant hair loss. I had my blood levels checked ... and thyroid. Everything there is fine. I'm healthy other than being a fat *kitten* The nurse told me "when you lose weight, you're going to lose hair... you stop losing hair when you stop dieting."

Anyone else have hair loss issues or HAD and what are you doing to reverse the effects?

jzammetti

I haven't but I would suggest adding gelatin to your diet because it is excellent for the health of your hair (and nails).

I did have that problem when I was pregnant and adding Jello every day made a huge difference.

tekwriter

Add the supplement Biotin to your diet. It is one that the bariatric programs use. All the people that have the bypass lose hair because the weight loss is so fast. You also lose hair when you are hypothyroid. It will help.

FitnessPalWorks

How fast are you losing your weight, pounds per week that is?

TerrieBNLWECHANGED

about two pounds a week... give or take a few ounces.

Ainar

This is the second time in my life I've lost weight and with that weight loss came significant hair loss. I had my blood levels checked ... and thyroid. Everything there is fine. I'm healthy other than being a fat *kitten* The nurse told me "when you lose weight, you're going to lose hair... you stop losing hair when you stop dieting."

I'm scared now. =/

bcattoes

about two pounds a week... give or take a few ounces.

Are you meeting the default fat goals? Eating very low fat can sometimes cause hair loss.

TerrieBNLWECHANGED

no problem on the fat... it's the veggies I'm missing

dakotababy

I thought I was going crazy and losing my hair! Im glad that this is expected - but I had just done some research on this, but never thought to link it to the weight loss. I also lose about 2 lbs a week when I'm not plateaued.

I have read a lot on Biotin...seems useful.

polo571

If that was true for me I would be at my goal weight. lol

erickirb

you may not be eating enough or getting enough micro nutrients (vitamins and minerals) Malnutrition. Change your goal to lose 0.5lbs/week and make sure you hit your micro nutrient daily goals

mmapags

you may not be eating enough or getting enough micro nutrients (vitamins and minerals) Malnutrition. Change your goal to lose 0.5lbs/week and make sure you hit your micro nutrient daily goals

^^^^This!

elka67

i lost a lot of hair when pregnant, due to aneamia, they've checked your iron?

AlsDonkBoxSquat

Generally hair loss related to weight loss is due to cutting calories too quickly or cutting essential nutrients when cutting calories. I would suggest reassessing your consumption (I didn't look at your diary) to make sure that you're maximizing your calorie consumption. If you're loosing at a rate of 2 pounds a week increase your consumption to decrease the rate of weight loss (start by adding 100 calories per day and see if that helps). Through my weight loss my hair has actually become fuller and my nails stronger because I am more thoughful about what I am eating (generally).

Elzecat

Hm...I've lost over 30 pounds and haven't lost any hair...maybe the nurse meant that you lose hair if you're not getting enough calories or nutrients? because I certainly don't have this problem. Hope you find some solutions!

(on the flip side, I've read some comments from people recovering from eating disorders who DID experience hair loss...so maybe it is related to a lack of nutrients or essential fats?)

TrailRunner61

Oh no! I'm sorry, that must be frightening! I'd see a nutritionist. It could be related to your 'diet'. If you're not getting enough nutrients, vitamins, your body will stop rebuilding things it doesn't really need in order to protect vital organs. I'd be worried about what else is happening to your body! I've seen this happen to a lot of people who have had bypass surgery and it's probably from the same reason. I don't know, I'm not your Dr., don't know what you're eating or not eating.

Good luck and I hope it starts regrowing soon! <hugs>

05saleengirl

make sure you are getting enough good fats and protein in your diet as well. I always take a multivitiamin which also has good hair vitamins in it too. I persoanlly take Country Life Maxi Hair vitamins. I get mine off amazon pretty cheap. I've had the hair loss issue not with dieting, but with thyroid. I developed hypothyroid after having my little one. And the hair loss is the worst side effect for me!! Ugh!!

Also there were a few threads about this over the last couple of days. As crazy as it sounds, I have noticed myself and others that tend to shed more haair when the weather is getting colder out. And where I live its about that time of year!

ohmelgosh79

you may not be eating enough or getting enough micro nutrients (vitamins and minerals) Malnutrition

This.


I take biotin everyday too and use Mane N Tail shampoo and conditioner. I know some people take prenatal vitamins but I haven't ventured that way yet.

nana6380__Chris

bump for later

RushBabe214

Generally hair loss related to weight loss is due to cutting calories too quickly or cutting essential nutrients when cutting calories. I would suggest reassessing your consumption (I didn't look at your diary) to make sure that you're maximizing your calorie consumption. If you're loosing at a rate of 2 pounds a week increase your consumption to decrease the rate of weight loss (start by adding 100 calories per day and see if that helps). Through my weight loss my hair has actually become fuller and my nails stronger because I am more thoughful about what I am eating (generally).

^^^This!

erindh87

I lost a lot of hair during the time I lost my first 40 pounds. I was eating 1200-1300 calories a day which is significantly lower than my BMR (~1550 at the time). I also don't believe I was getting all of the nutrition I needed. I've read a few articles about how hair loss can be caused by malnutrition and eating below your BMR (sorry, don't remember the sources). I don't know which caused the hairloss...probably a combination of both.

After that first 40, I ate to maintain my weight for a year, and my hair grew thick again. That was a huge relief! I didn't make the connection between my weightloss and hair loss until recently when I started back on my journey to lose the last 30 lbs or so.

Since I only have ~20 lbs left to lose, I'm eating closer to 1750 a day. I've been at that level for a few months (and lost 11 lbs at that amount), and while my weightloss is going strong, I have not seen any hair loss thankfully. I'm also trying to be much better about getting my nutrients this time around as well.

Rubyayn

Generally hair loss related to weight loss is due to cutting calories too quickly or cutting essential nutrients when cutting calories. I would suggest reassessing your consumption (I didn't look at your diary) to make sure that you're maximizing your calorie consumption. If you're loosing at a rate of 2 pounds a week increase your consumption to decrease the rate of weight loss (start by adding 100 calories per day and see if that helps). Through my weight loss my hair has actually become fuller and my nails stronger because I am more thoughful about what I am eating (generally).

^^^This!

Yes, exactly. Your body has ways of telling you when you are not feeding it properly. Especially if you are trying to work out, too.

VelociMama

Agree with the others. Make sure you are eating at least at your BMR and that you're eating good healthy foods so you get enough vitamins and minerals in your diet.

tgh1914

Kinda. When I started getting a more defined chest all my chest hair just magically disappeared

theologynerd

I went through a hair loss phase recently. It was about 6-8 weeks, and so bad it clogged up the drain in our shower, and I could pull handfuls of hair out. I have been eating around 1500 cals a day, and love my meat, fruits, and vegetables. I don't think I was doing anything wrong. I was sensible, and never starved myself. I read in several different online sources that losing a lot of weight can do that. It just happens. Right when I was going to go see a doctor, it resolved on it's own. Also, whenever there has been some sort of "shock" to your system, I read it takes about three months for that to show up in your hair if you are going to lose hair regarding a shock. That's something else to think about.

monty619

well if you have a crazy defecit or been in a defecit for too long you will f-ck up hormones.

Beckababy1011

When I was not eating enough or good nutrients, I lost handfuls of hair. Now that I feed my body & focus on quality foods with good levels of protein, carbs, fat, vitamins & micro/macro nutrients, I have no problem at all. I would take a good look at your nutrients.

kingscrown

I have had hair loss in the past a couple of times. After a child birth and last year for no real reason. BUT Starting in August after 8 months of dieting and exercise my hair started falling out. In the past it lasted about 4-6 weeks. Going on 8 weeks I was getting alarmed as my hair was getting pretty thin. As you asked the doc and all my levels were tested and I was doing great. Her suggestion stop putting my hair in a ponytail so much. REALLY!!?? If that were the cause of hair loss I'd have been bald all my childhood. I think just recently it's slowed down. I'm down to half my hair. No exaggeration. Fortunately, it's pretty uniform on my head and no one has looked at me in alarm. BUT when I go to the gym and have to wrap the hair band around my scrawny pony tail 6 times when a few months ago I struggled to get that 3 wrap on I'm alarmed.

I've never eaten more healthy in my life than the past 8 months. I take vitamins. My doc says not to eat below 1200 and I seldom do and eat closer to 1300 to 1400 most of the time. I lose about 1/2 pound a week on average.

Justkeepswimmin

I go through cycles of hair loss (luckily I have A TON of it so it still looks rediculously full) however, never in conjunction with weight loss..but both before my journey and after for some periods my hair comes out more than others...I would say if I don't get it cut at LEAST every 6 weeks it starts to come out more but ALSO when I wear it in ponytails more (which one tends to do when they work out a lot) then it starts to come out more as well.

muscravageur

This is happening to me in the last weeks and I am not quite sure if it is a combo of stress, not enough nutrition, not enough sleep but I used a hair product for weeks named Hair One and suddenly all hair buildup in my follicles made my hair fall off in clumps. I'm terrified! Why did I do that? I was just fine washing with Biotin shampoo, why did I even pick that stuff up. I am so stocking up on supplements, castor oil and jason's thin to thick shampoo. And I will make an appointment with the doctor sometime.

I'm getting a haircut tomorrow because suddenly it looks too thin, as if it happened overnight. Screw you, Hair One!

hotandfitfigurechick

This is the second time in my life I've lost weight and with that weight loss came significant hair loss. I had my blood levels checked ... and thyroid. Everything there is fine. I'm healthy other than being a fat *kitten* The nurse told me "when you lose weight, you're going to lose hair... you stop losing hair when you stop dieting."

Anyone else have hair loss issues or HAD and what are you doing to reverse the effects?

how's your protein? Protein helps your hair grow and keeps it strong.