Hair loss
janisclan5
Posts: 20 Member
Has anyone experienced hair loss/thinning with weight loss? I've lost about 40-45 pounds in the last year. I thought I was eating healthy and had decent nutrition but for the last 5 months my hair had been falling out and is probably half as thick as it used to be.
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Replies
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I'm no expert, but I have seen miscellaneous posts about people doing low-carb/keto diets who sometimes lose hair. Also, I've been told by my dermatologist that a traumatic life event can cause hair loss about 4-5 months after the "trauma" occurs. I had it happen twice, after childbirth and after the death of my father. It did grow back eventually. Hopefully yours will start growing back soon - good luck!2
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What are your calories...hair growth requires energy (i.e. calories)...low calorie targets can cause hair loss. Inadequate protein can also cause hair loss. Not getting enough iron can cause hair loss...iron can be found in whole grains, meat, and green leafy vegetables.8
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Happened to me a few years ago when I lost a significant amount of weight. My hair stylist remarked on it, and said it's something she sees in people who have sustained lower calories over a period of time. It seems to be pretty much back to normal.2
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How is your fat intake?0
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I have it around 1600 but usually come in under. I'm pretty active. I did recently read about too low of protein and just started trying to increase that.cwolfman13 wrote: »What are your calories...hair growth requires energy (i.e. calories)...low calorie targets can cause hair loss. Inadequate protein can also cause hair loss. Not getting enough iron can cause hair loss...iron can be found in whole grains, meat, and green leafy vegetables.
Nutritionally I thought vi was doing pretty good but I guess not!
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When I was losing hair it was a symptom of my hypothyroidism.4
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I'll have to have it checked. I be had that for 20 years. Thank you1
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I'm getting ready for gastric sleeve and hair loss is a huge issue when you go through a surgery like that. The NP I'm working with said that happens because you don't get enough protein. 60-80grams is what she told me to get. So maybe see if it has something to do with your protein intake. If you don't already I'd add a multivitamin into your routine.2
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When I did Weight Watcher's meetings this used to come up. Members would attribute the hair loss to not eating enough fat and claimed their hair regrew after adding more fats into their diets. This did make sense since WW is a low fat diet.1
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I tried to up the protein for a few days and I had no appetite. Trying to find a balance will be tricky I guess.
I do limit fat except for the "good" ones. It seems impossible to lose at this point and get all the proper nutrition. My diet prior to this past year was so much junk it's hard to believe that eating more healthy leaves me with hair loss!0 -
I've had the same problem, probably 2 or 3 months after I started my diet I really noticed it. Probably lack of protein, I have such a hard time reaching my protein goal...1
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Can be so many things! Deficiency, age, hormones, trauma, stress, nutrition. See a dermatologist. They might be able to narrow it down.3
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_missdarcy_ wrote: »I have heard this can happen when you aren't getting enough protein. A friend with weightloss surgery told me that her hair loss was a lot and that was the problem.
After gastric bypass people often become deficient in vitamin B12 because is is absorbed in the part of the intestines that is removed. This is usually why people's hair thins after these surguries.2 -
It happened to me after losing about 50 lbs - still have quite a bit to go. The dietician I have been working with told me it isn't unexpected, and it will grow back. But I would check and make sure you don't need a vitamin or iron or a thyroid med adjustment.1
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fubarfornow wrote: »It happened to me after losing about 50 lbs - still have quite a bit to go. The dietician I have been working with told me it isn't unexpected, and it will grow back. But I would check and make sure you don't need a vitamin or iron or a thyroid med adjustment.
Thank you! At least there's hope it'll grow back! I'll have blood work done to be sure.0 -
sunsweet77 wrote: »Can be so many things! Deficiency, age, hormones, trauma, stress, nutrition. See a dermatologist. They might be able to narrow it down.
I didn't think about a dermatologist, thank you.0 -
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janisclan5 wrote: »
You could tweak your diet to amend your macros without gaining, additionally you'd only gain if you were eating more than your maintenance calories. Hair loss is a sign that something is up with your body, that should be your concern at the moment over weight loss.0 -
tinkerbellang83 wrote: »janisclan5 wrote: »
You could tweak your diet to amend your macros without gaining, additionally you'd only gain if you were eating more than your maintenance calories. Hair loss is a sign that something is up with your body, that should be your concern at the moment over weight loss.
Getting blood work done tomorrow, hopefully that will have some clues.
Thank you.1 -
Add more vitamins to your diet I personally wouldn't be able to consume all of them every single day. So I eat Alive Vitamins.1
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I lost weight very slowly at a sensible deficit. About 6 months into maintenance, my hair started to fall out. Not clumps, just strands from all over. I have thick hair so it was not noticeable to anyone but me.
I went to my doctor, and after blood work came back normal, she told me that even if you lose weight in a healthy way, it can still cause some hair loss. The reaction is delayed, and can happen 6 months to a year after your loss.
The good news is that it's temporary. After eating at maintenance for about a year, all these baby hairs started to grow and everything is back to normal.
Not everyone will react this way, but some people do. And, yes, I was getting plenty of protein.5 -
Thank you very much! I really have been healthier then ever. I eat three meals and a snack, all healthy well balanced. I'm encouraged to hear that it will regrow.
Your experience sounds very similar.0 -
I lose a huge amount of hair when I am Vitamin D deficient.2
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Along with what other people in this thread already mentioned, you can also apply castor oil mixed with another oil of your choice (coconut oil, almond oil, olive oil, argan oil) to your hair directly. Leave it in your hair for an hour or two and then wash it out, and keep doing this a few times a week.1
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Biotin has made a huge improvement in my "shedding." Also has helped my nails.2
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Also, don't forget humans have seasonal shedding too!
We lose a lote more hair in fall/winter, then get a lot more new growth in spring/summer.
Every spring, I get a sort of fuzzy halo of new baby hairs. ;-)3 -
Alatariel75 wrote: »I lose a huge amount of hair when I am Vitamin D deficient.
I've been taking vitamin d for a while, maybe I'll increase it for a while. Thsnks0 -
I am having the same problem. I am going to try to up my protein the next few weeks and see if it helps.
But... I would rather be bald than fat.
**edited for typo**0
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