Losing hair.

Fozzi43

In the last six months or so, I've found when I was or brush my hair I loose a lot...I'm an ex hairdresser so I do know when it's quite a bit to lose...I'm wondering if its my diet? I eat fairly well and exercise. I am wondering if its because I may be approaching early menopause?

I just wondered if anyone else has had this?

timberowl

I'm interested to see the replies to this, because I've been experiencing the same thing the last couple weeks--even running my hand through my hair, I lose 3-5 strands every time!

Warchortle

For guys it's usually just something like an increase in testosterone.. for me personally I've noticed when I cut too many fats out of my diet my scalp/hair isn't as nice. You could be mineral deficient, not hydrated... don't wash your hair too much. You can do what a lot of Asians do and use oils and let them sit on your scalp like olive oil, egg, but I use coconut oil.

Sarauk2sf

I just checked your diary - your fats are set really low. Try upping them.

89nunu

I don't know your macros. But a friend of mine had this and she saw a great improvement with upping or protein.

Fozzi43

I just checked your diary - your fats are set really low. Try upping them.

Thanks Sara..I'll make sure I do that.

TavistockToad

i lose more hair when i am not eating as much fruit and veg. also, my hair and nails grow really quick now which i put down to plenty of protein and good fats. (nuts & seeds)

Unknown

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skinnytayy

I second that on the fat. Fat is good for us as long as its the good kind. Try to incorporate things like avocados, nuts, coconut oil, etc. in your diet. All foods that are high in good fats.

Trudyr777

I am early menopausal. :sad: I have been fighting the loss and thinning of my hair for a long time now. I have tried changing shampoos, changing brushes, my diet, etc. What has worked for me are keeping some fat in my diet, not extremely low I changed my multi vitamin to a prenatal vitamin (this has helped with other issues as well) and supplementing with biotin. I still lose some hair, but I don't fill the drain every day like I used to!

Good luck!

powership00

Whenever you drop below 1500 calories a day its hard to get all the nutrients you need daily. Not having certain nutrients can cause this. If it keeps happening you should go to your doctor to get blood tests since it also could be your thyroid or something else.

nicolemadigan

Hi,

I have just seen this post and wanted to share my experiences. About 12-18 months ago I noticed that I was losing a lot of hair. Mainly when I washed and brushed my hair. The turning point for me was when I felt something running down my back in the shower only to be horrified it was a clump of hair. My hair was very week and although not falling out at the root the hair loss was due to breakage.

I tried several things to try and help me taking sea kelp, increasing my iron intake through food, zinc tablets and trying numerous different hair care products. After about 6 weeks I had not seen any major improvement so I went to the doctors and he referred me to a NHS dermatologist.

After some blood tests I was told that although my iron count was not at a point to say I was anaemic I was pretty close to the number. According to my demonologist an iron count is between 10-290. Anything below 10 you are classed as anaemic. I was 14. I was given ferrous sulphate tablets which did make a difference. Although it did not stop my hair falling out completely my hair felt stronger and the hair loss was reduced slightly. I was also recommended to take over the counter Zinc tablets. I was diagnosed with a very mild form of alopecia and very mild form of female paten baldness. I would like to point out that I have no bald patches just thinning of the hair.

After 6 months on the iron tablets my hair was still thinning so I was prescribed Spironolactone 100mg tablets. These tablets are not designed for hair loss but a side effect of the tablets is meant to help. I can honestly say I noticed a massive improvement after 6 weeks of taking them.

My hair looks and feels better and is now no longer falling out at the rate it was. I am still on the iron tablets and zinc tablets and ensure I eat a diet that is full of fruit and veg. I can’t stay on these tablets for the long term but getting the issue looked at has highlighted a problem I never even considered.

I know how it feels when you see loads of hair in your brush or in the sink, so if it’s something you are really concerned it’s worth getting your iron levels checked out buy your doctor and also eating a healthy diet.

BerryH

I lost a lot of hair when I went veggie, and although I think you're quite good on your protein intake, keep an eye on iron and those healthy oils.

Bear in mind humans partially moult every year in spring and autumn, so this time of year I always fill the bath plughole. You may find you're back to normal in summer!

dumb_blondes_rock

I am a hairstylist and I've had a few people go on low fat diets and their hair starts to get super thinned out and really dry. Try eating an avocado or even a spoonful of peanut butter to help with the fat part. Also take Biotin, Its a vitamin found next to b12 and I swear its hair crack

thecapillary

Diet can play a factor in hair loss (ie, not eating enough), but hugely influential are hormones. If you're able to get some blood work done as changes in testosterone, estrogen, , and thyroid hormones can leave a big impact (this is not necessarily age dependent).

Other diseases like a gluten allergy or lupus (just a couple examples) can cause hair loss as well, especially during an active or stressful phase. Although, hopefully you haven't been diagnosed with anything or have anything underlying!

HollyWalle

In the last six months or so, I've found when I was or brush my hair I loose a lot...I'm an ex hairdresser so I do know when it's quite a bit to lose...I'm wondering if its my diet? I eat fairly well and exercise. I am wondering if because I may be approaching early menopause?

I just wondered if anyone else has had this?

I had a very similar situation, when I spoke to my doctor she told me tthat hair works in six month cycles. And often the most common reason for hair loss is caused from stress.. Think back to what happened approx. Six months ago. Maybe a stressful time in your life?
For me I assumed it was a major death in my family that caused me stress to loose my hair, it eventually stopped and all came back.

nikilis

im sheading like an ag-ed pony. I think I have menopause too.

mazdauk

Stress is a major cause of hair thinning - my hair has thickend up a load since I quit my stressful job -and also stopped commuting. Pollution is also a factor (not a lot of help if you live in a city, I know!)

As others have said, good diet is essential.

scookiemonster

See a doctor. There are a lot of reasons why hair can start falling out, from the totally benign to the very serious. Even if they don't find a specific underlying cause, a dermatologist can give you recommendations or even a prescription to help it grow back. It might be as simple as diet, or it might be hormonal, or it might be your thyroid, or a vitamin deficiency, or a gluten intolerance... could be a lot of things.

pennydreadful270

According to my demonologist...

Good post.

But an excellent typo.

MaraDiaz

Increase your calories so that you are only losing a pound or two a week.

Take vitamins. Including biotin (don't take more than it recommends, you'll seriously regret the stomach pains).

If you can avoid it, don't take allergy medicines like Claritin or asthma meds like Primatine Mist. Both have ingredients that can cause hair loss. I'm taking Claritin right now and already noticing more shed, but I have little choice at the moment. As soon as my allergies calm down a bit I'll go back to taking just Sudafed. I'd rather have a perpetually runny nose than go bald.

Google any other medicines you take (OTC or prescription) with side effects hair loss as the other search words. It might not be on the label!

2hobbit1

Took a look at your food logs - if you are logging all you are eating then you are not eating enough!!! You are frequently eating less than 1000 calories a day. Your protein is low and I did not see much by way of veggies or fruit. Not enough calories, not enough protein, not enough vitamins and trace elements provided by fruits and veggies. You do not need to cut that low to lose weight.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

jlapey

Is is coming out uniformly all over, or from just one spot? Have you examined your scalp. Twice in my life I found a quarter sized bald spot on my head. The Dermatologist said it was "Alopecia" which is believed to be brought on by stress. He treated it with corticosteroid shots in my scalp. OUCH! But the hair grew back, thankfully.

Fozzi43

Its gotten thinner all over:frown:

jbs2travel

I started losing hair when I cut my carbs too low. I would think it is different for everyone

LisaR517

I've been losing hair, too. My fats are set at 25% (and I'm a peanut butter addict), so I make sure to get those in. I just went in on Tuesday for my regular yearly physical and mentioned this (along w/ longer lapses in TOM), and she suggested I get my thyroid checked. So we'll see what the results say!

JoD929

Everyone is different. My mom had hair loss from her thyroid not functioning properly. I am currently still battling the shed, but I no longer have what I called "hair holes". My doctor made me get blood work and I was extremely low on Vitamin D3, so now I take a vitamin for that. He thinks for me that it was mostly stress induced, but that I needed to get my D3 levels up, too, if I wanted to save my hair and bones.

bethlaf

2 cents, up your protein and evaluate your stress

Mistyfied_MD

Hormone imbalances can also bring about diffuse hair loss and changes in hair texture and strength.

mariapuhl

After 6 months on the iron tablets my hair was still thinning so I was prescribed Spironolactone 100mg tablets. These tablets are not designed for hair loss but a side effect of the tablets is meant to help. I can honestly say I noticed a massive improvement after 6 weeks of taking them.

I'm on that same medicine you are - I also have a special shampoo my dermatologist gave me, a steroid liquid for any itching, as well as using extra strength men's rogaine twice a day.....

I'm on a lot of stuff though, because the dermatologist is super freaked out at the fact that I've been losing hair since I was 21... I'm only 23 now.... but with all this I no longer have a bald spot! We've done so many blood tests and can't find anything wrong other than the fact that I just have always had tons of skin problems.

MelHoneyRocks

I went through the same thing after I lost about 25lbs. I confirmed it with my Dr, we also ran some blood tests to make sure that this was the case. Everything came back normal. It lasted about 6 months for me.