Severe hair loss
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briannaherexxoo2
Posts: 7 Member
I've been having severe hair loss (see pictures) for years now. The doctors told me it would resolve itself in a year or two and it hasn't. I am experiencing severe bloating in addition to this. I take a multivitamin every day with iron. Any ideas?
I also have Hashimoto's but the doctors act like my numbers aren't bad enough to be causing hair loss to this severity. I've lost 75% of my hair. I eat plenty of protein and doctors have tested my protein levels and I don't have a deficiency. I never dye my hair. I never use heat on it, not even a blowdryer. And there's no family history of hair loss or baldness.
I also have Hashimoto's but the doctors act like my numbers aren't bad enough to be causing hair loss to this severity. I've lost 75% of my hair. I eat plenty of protein and doctors have tested my protein levels and I don't have a deficiency. I never dye my hair. I never use heat on it, not even a blowdryer. And there's no family history of hair loss or baldness.
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Replies
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Alopecia areata isn't uncommon with Hashimoto's... stored ferritin is far more related to growing hair than a blood level (see if a ferritin test was ordered & run; ask for it, if not) is more indicative than a panel level. I'm sure that you've already checked your med-list for any side effects related to alopecia. If your cycle (TOM) has changed significantly from where you were prior to this loss, I hope that's been looked into with a proper hormone panel (to include test-levels -- only "normal" is acceptable) as well.
Hang in there and work through things pragmatically... I know it's a tough road, but you do need to work at this one step at a time (yeah, and elevated stress levels don't help (ding into adrenal fatigue and all'a that stuff as you move forward).
Hang strong @briannaherexxoo2 ...3 -
standenvernet wrote: »Alopecia areata isn't uncommon with Hashimoto's... stored ferritin is far more related to growing hair than a blood level (see if a ferritin test was ordered & run; ask for it, if not) is more indicative than a panel level. I'm sure that you've already checked your med-list for any side effects related to alopecia. If your cycle (TOM) has changed significantly from where you were prior to this loss, I hope that's been looked into with a proper hormone panel (to include test-levels -- only "normal" is acceptable) as well.
Hang in there and work through things pragmatically... I know it's a tough road, but you do need to work at this one step at a time (yeah, and elevated stress levels don't help (ding into adrenal fatigue and all'a that stuff as you move forward).
Hang strong @briannaherexxoo2 ...
Thank you for the advice!! That was very helpful! I've seen 3 different dermatologists and they all said I don't have Alopecia Areata. They said mine is more balding areas whereas if it was autoimmune it would be perfectly round circles. They do call it Alopecia meaning hair loss but not an autoimmune form. But even the dermatologists just tell me to take Biotin and that basically I just have to live with it.
My ferritin has come up from as low as 4 to 26 from taking a multivitamin with iron and still major hair loss
My cycle has become crazy. My periods aren't heavy but they're extremely painful. And instead of normal 28 days, it's wacky like this:
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I also have swelling all over especially in my stomach, breasts, thighs, and back so a hormonal problem would make sense. My doctor wants to check my hormones on either day 19, 20, or 21 of my cycle although it was because of the breast swelling. I didn't know it can also cause hair loss!
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That’s not AA, which manifests as small round patches of total loss. That looks more like a nutritional deficit or hormonal issue.3
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I would go and see a specialist endocrinologist - it is likely to be related to your thyroid considering it’s playing up. Hasimotos has a range of symptoms, some people get some but not others, and in varying severity.0
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You might still have other mineral and vitamin deficiencies, which get masked by taking the multivitamin. Did you ever have your B12 tested? if so, it was likely elevated due to the multivitamin. But if you cannot absorb or convert it properly the the bit in the pill is not sufficient.1
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Have you had you had your hormones checked for PCOS. It can cause hair loss and a lot of women with PCOS also have Hashimoto's. Also as an aside, read up on PCOS because sometimes even getting your hormones checked, doesn't nail it down, it's a pretty complex condition and not one size fits all with it. It's frustrating and on average can take up to 10 years to properly diagnose. Are you already seeing an endo? If so ask about PCOS I found my PCP and gyno was not really helpful, they don't have in depth knowledge of it.1
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Work on getting your ferritin up above 70. The range is 20-300 but 70 is where hair starts growing and the roots are strong enough to hold on. I have my thyroid under control but there was no chance until I got my crazy heavy period under control with meds and then my ferritin came up and hair started holding on.0
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I don't know anything about alopecia or Hashimoto's, but I know that castor oil is pretty good to get hair growing again, so perhaps try that? It's probably not a magical fix, but it won't hurt!0
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https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/news/20060516/hair-loss-may-be-iron-deficiency
My nurse practitioner follows hear guidelines0 -
I lady I worked with lost all her hair and wears wigs. Last year she was diagnosis with a gluten intolerance. Since she has stopped eating gluten her hair has started to grow back.2
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It could be tons of different things.... Go see a doctor quickly.3
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Get checked for PCOS -- your erratic menstrual cycle is another indication it could be a hormonal imbalance.1
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I'm a third vote to get checked for PCOS. Find a sympathetic and skilled hairdresser, to find the most effective cut. My sympathies.1
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You could see a dermatologist too. They are the doctors that deal w/ hair and scalp issues. Have them work you up for other possible causes besides the thyroid.0
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My understanding is that certain medication for hypothyroidism causes hair loss...are you taking a certain med?0
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