I'm losing hair and I think I'd really rather be fat.

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  • Jestinia
    Jestinia Posts: 1,154 Member
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    "Whatever form of hair loss TE takes, it is fully reversible. The hair follicles are not permanently or irreversibly affected; there are just more hair follicles in a resting state than there should normally be."

    http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/effluviums

    Shave and get a wig and keep going to your goal weight. It will come back.

    Or as someone already suggested, if you just can't bear to shave it or buzz it, see a stylist that can work with the cut to conceal the issue for awhile. Like a pixie cut or bob that either combs hair to one side or from the back and sides. Hats, scarves, and headbands can all help, too. You'd be surprised how much you can hide.

    It will grow back. I have pictures of me through the years where you can tell I'd been losing weight or stressed because scalp showed through, and I have pictures where I look like Cousin It joined a hair-metal band.

    But as someone else said, a doctor is still a good idea too, just to see if you can pinpoint and maybe correct the underlying issue.
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
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    The MFP recommendations for protein intake are very low. It might help to greatly increase your intake. Try getting at least 100 grams per day if not more like 140.
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
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    what happened 3 months before the hairloss started? My mum lost most of her hair after an acute life threatening illness and surgery (which saved her life ultimately) and her hair fell out 3 months later - apparently the life cycle of hair is such that if something like this makes your hair fall out, it happens about 3 months after the event.

    All her hair grew back again without her doing anything, while she was recovering from the illness. She ate a healthy balanced diet and also went walking regularly for exercise

    other questions to ask is whether you have lost too much weight, or lost a lot of lean mass, and what your current weight and goal weight is, whether that's reasonable for your height and frame size.

    Also, check you're getting all the nutrition you need: all the vitamins (including the fat soluble ones), all the minerals, all the essential fatty acids, all the essential amino acids (from protein) plus fibre and water.

    is your diary open?

    btw if your diet's totally healthy and you're not underweight or undereating, then see a doctor. I once asked a hairdresser what to do about hair loss and she told me to see a doctor (was minor, and stopped after a while, probably caused by stress as I was suffering from PTSD at the time)
  • EMTFreakGirl
    EMTFreakGirl Posts: 597 Member
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    I just added an extra "healthy" fat into my day....yes it bumped up my calories a bit, but the hair loss has slowed significantly. I also take a super multi-vit, but really think it has to do with the aminios in the healthy fats. (Walnuts, avocados, etc.)
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
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    I just added an extra "healthy" fat into my day....yes it bumped up my calories a bit, but the hair loss has slowed significantly. I also take a super multi-vit, but really think it has to do with the aminios in the healthy fats. (Walnuts, avocados, etc.)

    amino acids are in proteins, not fats. fatty acids are in fats.

    but the advice is still good.
  • claudiakendall98
    claudiakendall98 Posts: 242 Member
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    When I was very low on iron- anemic My hair fell out like crazy but as soon as iron deficiency was fixed it went back to normal.That is one idea Other then loosing hair I felt anemia by the bone weary exhaustion I felt after climbing stairs and through out my normal day activities.I also chewed ice chips all day long which I now know was pica an unusual food craving which also went away once my anemia was fixed. Hope this helps you a little ,see you Doctor ,have a blood test for hormone levels and cbc.
  • EMTFreakGirl
    EMTFreakGirl Posts: 597 Member
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    I just added an extra "healthy" fat into my day....yes it bumped up my calories a bit, but the hair loss has slowed significantly. I also take a super multi-vit, but really think it has to do with the aminios in the healthy fats. (Walnuts, avocados, etc.)

    amino acids are in proteins, not fats. fatty acids are in fats.

    but the advice is still good.
    Thanks! Lack of sleep leads to poor science. :ohwell: :blushing: but glad the point was taken as intended! :wink:
  • motivatedmartha
    motivatedmartha Posts: 1,108 Member
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    Losing your hair is hard but almost certainly not permanent. It may make you regret trying to lose weight in the first place but if you were significantly overweight your health and energy levels will be much better - if not, you're not eating properly. I often tell my daughter that the most beautiful feature of a person is a sunny smile and happy eyes - that's what people notice. So - smile, be active, eat really well and your hair will sort itself out. Think of the ways in which you have seen people with chemotherapy related hair loss cope with it - you can still look great!

    :flowerforyou:
  • stephbeland8
    stephbeland8 Posts: 35 Member
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    It is absolutely normal to lose hair while loosing weight! It's a problem with amino acids... try supplements, they really help!

    http://www.amazon.com/Nutricap-Hair-Growth-40Capsules-Brand/dp/B000YBUY9C

    Good luck and don't quit your journey!
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
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    Slow down your weight loss to 1 pound a week, heck, go to maintenance for a while and let things settle, then start losing at about 1 pound a week again. This is one of the problems with trying to lose weight too fast.

    This is good advice. Also, make sure your goal for dietary fat is at least 0.35 grams per pound of total body weight as a minimum. See this thread on setting goals: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

    Vitamin D and Omega 3 fatty acids are very important for healthy hair and nails. Also, when you do not consume enough dietary fats, your body can't adequately use the vitamins you consume. Many micronutrients, such as Vitamin D, are fat-soluble, which means if there is a lack of fat, the vitamins can't reach your systems and simply get eliminated from your body, unused. Olive oil, Coconut Oil, and fats from nuts and fish (especially salmon) are good additions to your diet.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
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    This is a long shot, but sometimes going to see a hairdresser could help? I know some are really well trained and they Mauser this problem more often than your doctor. I'm suggesting this on top of everyone else's suggestion. Maybe they know of a shampoo or something that can help? Or maybe they've had other clients with this issue and they've had success fixing it?

    Good luck!!!


    Seems legit. Sorry to be sarcastic, but hairdresser? Honestly, go to the doctor. When I was losing a lot of hair, it turned out to be a hormonal problem. My doctor was able to figure it out and help me fix it. Hairdressers cut hair, they don't study hairgrowth or the root of the hair at the cellular level, or hormones or A&P. Go to the experts.

    ^^ Good advice

    Also, lack of dietary fat can wreak havoc on your hormone levels. Women will often experience a significant drop in estrogen and progesterone. When I first started MFP, my monthly cycle went crazy on me, until I learned about how important it is to include plenty of fats in my diet. I initially increased my fats (based on my weight back then) to 87 grams of fat. Within two weeks, I noticed a significant difference. (I also increased my calorie goal from 1600 to 1800 at that time.) My cycle is like clockwork now and even at 40 years old, my hair is thick as it ever was, but also shiny and just looks healthier than it has since I was a kid. I don't get split ends like I used to, and I don't use any fancy products, just store brand Dollar General shampoo and conditioner.

    It may sound like a trite phrase, but it's true that a healthy diet will make you look and feel better. The problem comes in when people have prejudiced notions of "healthy diet." A diet lacking in fats is an unhealthy one.
  • arabianhorselover
    arabianhorselover Posts: 1,488 Member
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    Everyone has their own hair growth cycle. Some people have hair that doesn't grow longer than their shoulders, while others can grow to the floor and beyond. If it seems like it's falling out more when it's a certain length, that's because it is!
  • Lizabelle1212
    Lizabelle1212 Posts: 252 Member
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    I just added an extra "healthy" fat into my day....yes it bumped up my calories a bit, but the hair loss has slowed significantly. I also take a super multi-vit, but really think it has to do with the aminios in the healthy fats. (Walnuts, avocados, etc.)

    I was also going to suggest increasing your healthy fat intake. Olive oil, avocados, nuts, etc. I've noticed that helps my hair a lot. Sorry you're going through this, hopefully you can find a solution.
  • mank32
    mank32 Posts: 1,323 Member
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    tagged because i've had moderate hairloss in the past and seem to always have at least mild hairloss.
  • LTKeegan
    LTKeegan Posts: 354 Member
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    This is a long shot, but sometimes going to see a hairdresser could help? I know some are really well trained and they Mauser this problem more often than your doctor. I'm suggesting this on top of everyone else's suggestion. Maybe they know of a shampoo or something that can help? Or maybe they've had other clients with this issue and they've had success fixing it?

    Good luck!!!


    Seems legit. Sorry to be sarcastic, but hairdresser? Honestly, go to the doctor. When I was losing a lot of hair, it turned out to be a hormonal problem. My doctor was able to figure it out and help me fix it. Hairdressers cut hair, they don't study hairgrowth or the root of the hair at the cellular level, or hormones or A&P. Go to the experts.


    She said she went to the doctor and everything was normal!! Thats why I said in addition to everything else! Sometimes people who deal with these things all day every day can have things that will help treat the symptoms!
  • slimlinepic
    slimlinepic Posts: 7
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    Hi, this is my first post, but such an emotive issue for me that I had to respond.

    I have had issues with my hair falling out periodically ever since I was about 19 (I'm now 35).

    I've done the shaving it all off wig thing, (which is not too bad as long as the weather's not too warm, but I dislike looking at pictures from that time), the hairdresser/ cunning cut thing (can work up to a point), the hair growth boosting shampoos thing (rubbish - for ME personally), the medical tests thing (underactive thyriod - which doesn't help, but is now relatively controlled and has been for 10 years or so) and lots of others, including chinese herbalism, head massage etc.

    The only thing that consistently works for me is a supplement of Horsetail Herb (Equisetum arvense) - an organic form of silica. It also helps my nails to grow strong.

    I have used it on and off for years, and now take it every single day, and intend to continue indefinitely. My hair is thickening up, and is now below shoulder length for the first time in 15 years. Unfortunately there are a fair few greys in there too now, but I daren't think about dying it!!!

    Just to add, this has happened to me a few times as I said, with weights ranging from 140 lbs to 212 lbs (5'9"), with low fat, high protein and "normal" diets, and with hair lengths from very short to shoulder length...

    I konw how horrible this can be, and highly recommend that you give it a go if you can get hold of some... My hairdresser could see the improvement in the 8 weeks between appointments when I first started taking it...

    Best of luck

    J
  • JTick
    JTick Posts: 2,131 Member
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    I had a LOT of hair loss when I was on blood thinners...a couple thoughts here.

    Have you had hormone levels checked? Something off there could cause hair loss, and might not show up in a normal blood panel.

    Up your proteins and fats. I only skimmed the thread, but saw that you eat about 70g protein...that's not really enough. I eat 150g.

    Discuss with your doctor tryning a prenatal. My OB/GYN recommended that when I was losing my hair, and it did seem to help some.
  • arabianhorselover
    arabianhorselover Posts: 1,488 Member
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    Certain medications can also cause hair loss.
  • Josalinn
    Josalinn Posts: 1,066 Member
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    I am currently taking a hair vitamin supplement, it has a lot of biotin in it, which is good for hair. Its called longer stronger hair and nails
    th?id=HN.608048278344500919&w=203&h=188&c=7&rs=1&pid=1.7
    You don't have to use this brand. I've used a couple but this is the one that sticks in my head. My hair is growing and it is strong and healthy.

    You may not be getting something since you started your journey. I also use a bore bristle brush to minimize hair loss. Another trick that I've read about is using a "condition wash condition" method. Condition the length, shampoo the scalp, wash it all out, then condition the roots again. Someone also told me not to condition the scalp. Again this may not work for you and you may need to see a specialist, but I thought I would share. I am personally trying to grow my hair out longer, which is why I am doing all the above mentioned things.

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