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Hair falling out - badly

Posts: 374 Member
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I've been on a 1200 calorie diet now for 7 months and I've lost around 46 pounds - yay. I still want to lose another 9-14 (135-140lb goal). However, within the last month I've noticed a LOT of my hair falling out everyday. It's actually to the point that it's thinning out. I take multivitamins (and hair and nails vitamins) and try to eat as healthy as possible...do you think it could be diet related?

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  • Posts: 374 Member
    I've been meaning to go -- I think I may. Thank you.
  • Posts: 374 Member
    cathipa wrote: »
    Possibly. Google adrenal fatigue. Also if you have been restricting fat this can adversely affect hormone function (TSH) and could be a sign of hypothyroidism. I would go to your doctor for blood work.

    I looked at the symptoms online -- and I have just recently lost my mother. I think you may have hit the nail on the head with adrenal fatigue. I'm definitely going to get this checked out. Thanks
  • Posts: 16,049 Member
    How much protein do you get everyday? Protein deficiency can lead to hair loss.
  • Posts: 374 Member
    Christine_72 wrote: »
    How much protein do you get everyday? Protein deficiency can lead to hair loss.

    probably less than 40 g lately. I've had a hard time trying to keep that up.
  • Posts: 3,985 Member
    I eat pretty high protein (125g daily), calcium and a multivitamin and my hair is also thinning. The same thing happened the first time around (in 2012) and it didn't thicken back up when I gained back. I'll be following this thread for advice.
  • Posts: 19,251 Member
    How tall are you?
  • Posts: 1,218 Member
    Christine_72 wrote: »
    How much protein do you get everyday? Protein deficiency can lead to hair loss.

    Was just going to mention this.
  • Posts: 34 Member
    You're definitely missing a nutrient in your diet. Are you logging your meals and seeing if you are low on anything? Protein is very likely
  • Posts: 1 Member
    The same thing happened to me. It was a combination of going off of the birth control pill and not getting enough fat in my diet. It can be difficult to increase your fat intake and stay within your calorie goal, but it can be done with careful meal planning. Again you should ask your doctor.
  • Posts: 17 Member
    I had the same problem and then I started taking a hair supplement with biotin. My hair loss decreased significantly, I noticed my lost hair came back in (fast), and my hair was shinier than before. I love it!
  • Posts: 6,997 Member
    For what it's worth, I don't think 40 grams of protein is low enough to be the lone cause for someone's hair to start falling out. I average around that (sometimes more, sometimes less) and my hair is very thick. Definitely go to the doctor.

    If it IS diet related, it's possible you're netting too low. Do you net 1200, or do you eat 1200 and exercise on top of that?
  • Posts: 1 Member
    this has helped so much thank you all!
  • Posts: 7,682 Member
    it could be iron too. I know if my protein was too low I would start losing more than normal. adrenal fatigue isnt accepted as a medical diagnosis(IE the mayo clinic) there are no scientific facts to prove it exists,there IS such thing as adrenal insufficiency though,but the side effects dont mention hair loss. I would see a dr and get blood tests done to rule anything out.
  • Posts: 1 Member
    I had a similar problem. Are you getting around 18mg of iron each day? Caffeine and calcium can prevent iron absorption if they're consumed within two hours of consuming iron rich foods.
  • Posts: 1,070 Member
    I was having significant hair loss and it was my thyroid. I'm hypo, and was already on meds but needed an adjustment. Get some blood work done.
  • Posts: 5,468 Member
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    Eat at maintenance and see if that makes a difference. It could be stress because of your mum.
    I was just thinking this. *hugs* My hair was falling out due to stress after I lost mum 4 months ago. It's slowing down now.

    I see that your protein has been really low, too. What about fats?
  • Posts: 3,670 Member
    Don't try to guess why your hair is falling out. See your doctor, who will find out what is going on, or at least rule out any conditions that you need to worry about.
  • Posts: 16,049 Member
    cerise_noir wrote: »
    show previous quotes
    I was just thinking this. *hugs* My hair was falling out due to stress after I lost mum 4 months ago. It's slowing down now.

    I see that your protein has been really low, too. What about fats?

    Just wanted to say I'm so sorry about your mum. My mum is my best friend and i would be totally and utterly destroyed if she died. Hugs to you and @girl_inflames :heart:
  • Posts: 38,459 MFP Moderator
    Long term low calorie diet (even worse if you are exercisingexercising) low protein would give youa good opportunity to be deficient in one or more nutrients.
  • Posts: 374 Member
    Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »
    How tall are you?

    I'm 5 ft 6

  • Posts: 374 Member
    desidelay wrote: »
    I had the same problem and then I started taking a hair supplement with biotin. My hair loss decreased significantly, I noticed my lost hair came back in (fast), and my hair was shinier than before. I love it!

    I'm actually using a hair and nails vitamin. My nails are growing fast and they're very strong which is great...but my hair is thinning out drastically. I would expect if it were a deficiency that my nails would be weak too. But they're not....it's so confusing :confused:
  • Posts: 38,459 MFP Moderator
    edited August 2016
    Have you made any adjustments in caloric intake to see if an increase would help?
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