Weight loss and hair health

Been there. Weight loss can trigger much greater than normal hair loss, enough to lead to very thin hair.. At one point in a past weight loss bout I started planning for what I saw as the inevitable balding at the rate I was losing it. Tried all the supplements recommended, to no avail. It took quite a while, but eventually the trend reversed itself and went back to normal.

I'd defo suggest a trip to the doctors to get it checked out.

For me, my hair and skin has become dryer since losing weight and eating healthy. I'm hoping it's a transition phase, that will pass when I finish losing weight, because my hormones are going crazy after losing weight for over a year.

As for falling out, I'm not sure. My hair has always molted everywhere and I'm not sure it's doing it more now than before though...

Sorry to be not much help!

I did at first BUT my trainer added these supplements to the OTHER hand full of pills daily: zinc, biotin, E and I have to eat 1 cup of jello sometime during the day. But at 25 calories---jello is an anytime snack

Hi all,
I've been with this site for over a year and pretty happy with my weight loss. Eating healthy and exercising and buying new clothes to fit my new body - all of that is very exciting. However, I have noticed that my hair feels otherwise and its condition isn't just improving - it's getting worse.
My hair has always been thin and brittle but recently it started falling out like crazy. About six months ago I began to take biotin and silica on daily basis; I use paraben and sulfate-free products once a week and wash my hair with either egg yolk or raw honey at other times. I don't use a blow-dryer. Unfortunately, I am allergic to Rogaine so can't turn to their products for help. I'm also a non-candidate for hair transplant as the hair is usually removed from a thicker patch on the back of one's head and I don't have that thicker patch - my hair is equally thin everywhere.
Has anyone experienced hair loss and battled it successfully? I can't begin to tell you how depressing this situation is to me.
Thanks,

Have you made an appointment with your doctor?

Have your blood checked. Hair loss can be a symptom of thyroid imbalance. Also, have your vitamin levels checked.

I'd see a doctor to rule out all the issues listed above.

But I'd also check to be sure you are getting enough fat and protein. Since foods with healthy fats tend to be higher in calories, they often get sacrificed to let use eat a higher volume of lower calorie foods. Your body needs fats. If you're not getting enough it will affect your hair and skin. It also needs protein, and would benefit from more protein that MFP lists (thought MFPs number is enough to get you by, it's on the low end).

I did not lose much weight at all, and did not go on a low calorie diet. I was eating at maintenance and above, with good amounts of protein for my body weight. My weight was low, but not underweight and was the same weight I've always been (actually even higher than it has been at other times). The only new thing was that I was lifting weights.

But, I experienced stress related hair loss.

So, just to be on the safe side I took silica for 6 months. I stopped for two months. In 2 months from now I will be facing the stressor again (that caused the hair loss), so I decided to take it again until then as a precaution (but not everyday). My hair did grow back in, very thick and healthy in a large quantity. However, I am sure that my hair would have grown back in, even if I had not taken the silica. So, I do not know or think it really helps that much. I also started taking a multivitamin, increased my iron under doctor supervision (I was not anemic), and took biotin and other b vitamins (in my multi). So, these were other factors that were present. All of this was precautionary. It was clearly established by my doctor that the hair loss was stress related (it was a very serious type of stress). I had other issues from the stress. And all my blood work was healthy and normal.

I have learned how to manage my stress better. And I am being gentle with and taking good care of my hair and seeing a hair dresser every 6-7 weeks. She was the one that told me to try silica. I figured it was worth a try.

You stated that your thyroid is not an issue. Does this mean you have spoken to your Dr and have had all the appropriate blood work done? Talk to a registered dietician. You may not be getting enough protein, fat, etc. Be careful about taking too much Biotin. You can develop acne from taking too much of it. There are good and bad side effects to every medicine, supplement and herb.

Seriously though, this is the kind of questions that you should be speaking to your Dr about....not on a fitness site.

Making a big dietary change can cause hair loss, but like someone else said it can be a sign of many things like iron, B12 or vitamin D deficiency.

Around when I was DX'd with celiac disease and had to go to a gluten free diet, I lost a TON of hair. Probably close to half my hair. I think it was a combo of not absorbing my vitamins from food properly and then cutting out things like cereals and breads with added vitamins. I added back in a multiple vitamin and extra iron and it slowed down and started to grow back. My hair still isn't great, but it's much better. It doesn't happen overnight. It took me about 6 months to notice that my hair was fuller.

I take Alive multivitamins, PurAbsorb iron water (mixed with EmergenC for taste and vitamin C helps iron absorb better) and a handful of other vitamins because of the celiac disease.