Have any of you experienced hair loss since you have been overweight? I started a diet a long time ago and ever since that diet my hair has been falling out and more so since I have been over 215. And since I have been over 215 I have started growing hair on my chin and neck. Alot of hair. I have tried to ask doctors but I always get the "its hereditary" brush off. No testing, no other explaination. I'm getting very frustrated. I dont want to do rogain unless I need to, but I dont know if I need to or if this is something weight loss will fix. I dont have the money to go doctor hopping so I just watch my hair falling out more and more all the time

Have you had your thyroid checked? If I don't take my synthetic thyroid medication my hair gets dry and unhealthy and falls out. I also get more chin hair. The synthetic thyroid helps but doesn't completely fix it.

If you haven't had your thyroid checked or checked relatively recently I would do that ASAP, especially if you are experiencing fatigue or symptoms of depression in addition to the hair loss/growth on you chin.

Are you eating really low fat? That can cause hair loss.

Also - go back to your doctor and ask about PCOS, the hair growth you are experiencing is one of the signs.

I agree on the PCOS. It sounds like PCOS to me. If you can't afford medical stuff right now, you could try South Beach diet. I am not a "diet pusher" but I have friends who claim their PCOS was cured by eating in that manner... and I had a doctor tell me the same thing (that eating the south beach way stabilizes hormones.) So maybe it's worth a try.

applestar, I have had the same problem, and it is really embarrassing! I have been doing some research also, and PCOS is what I have thought about as well. I have an appointment scheduled with my doctor to have this checked.

Thanks for asking this question. I am glad to see the responses!

I would also suggest that the hair growth on the chin could be a result of PCOS. There are prescription meds that help get this under control, along with weight loss - though weight loss is not necessarily going to cure PCOS - there are thin people with PCOS.

As for the hair failing out, are you eating enough calories? There was a time (long ago) that I was trying to diet by eating 800 or less calories a day and my hair was coming out in clumps, along with many other problems. I would say to make sure you are eating at least 1200 calories a day.

Years ago, I went on a 1200 calorie a day diet. I consumed 15 grams of fat or lower and was exercising strenuously every day. I was also very stressed out because I was doing my master's exams for grad school. My hair started to thin like crazy. I started to take prenatal vitamins and that helped but the reason for the thinning hair was not enough fat in my diet. When I gained weight my hair started to grow back but it was still thin. Years later, I had my thyroid checked and sure enough, that was another culprit contributing to my hair loss.

Thank you for the responses! Years ago on the diet I was on there was not enough fat and my hair started thinning so I started getting enough. Years later though it started coming out in droves and I have had more than enough fat lol. I have thought of the PCOS but dont have a doctor who will even budge past heredity. Its frustrating. I do not come from a family of balding bearded women! I think I'm going to make an appointment and demand testing for this and for thyroid.

If your doctor is resistant to working with you look for another doctor, even if you have to drive a little further.

Having a doctor who was on my side and really listened to me made such a huge difference! The fact that your doctor is saying it's hereditary when there's no history of it in the family is a red flag to me that he/she is not really hearing you or paying attention.

Yes you are right. Its my primary care AND my gyno both But I am going to be looking for another doctor.

You do not need a diagnosis by a doctor to know if you suffer from PCOS. Read as much as you can about it, though. A doctor can test your thyroid, insulin, glucose etc., but you don't need a formal diagnosis. Some women with PCOS don't even have cysts on their ovaries! Take good care of yourself and I wish you luck! I am working on getting rid of this myself.

Ditto to PCOS! Get it checked girl! Good Luck!