Well, I feel like I have tried everything but its still coming out and I am really scared about it. I finally found a doctor and I see her next Friday. I imagine there will be blood work and possibly a visit to a dermatologist involved, not really sure. I have had this doctor before and she is the kind of person who doesn't take things very seriously and you really have to push to have something done. I won't settle for "oh its because of losing weight" as an excuse. I don't know anyone who lost hair this badly from weight loss. I take an assortment of vitamins and iron every day plus I eat healthy including healthy fats and don't "crash diet". I have been tested for my thyroid last year and it was fine. I wish there were other doctors available but there is a doctor shortage in my area.
I am worried that they won't be able to find out what is wrong and I will simply be told to stop dieting. I am not ready for maintenance yet! I feel like I am just starting to really see results and I want to see this through for another 15-25 pounds. I might be faced with two choices, be chubby with hair or thin and bald LOL. I know its going to take some time for tests and to possibly see a specialist. In the mean time, I don't have a lot of hair left to lose before it becomes very obvious. There is only so much a comb over can do It's just getting so hard to see piles of hair every time I brush it. I dread my daily shower now because that is when most of it comes out. Rogaine might be my only option now. I have heard of some really bad side effects and I am allergic to a lot of chemicals. I am not sure what to think on that. I already use Nizoral shampoo as that has shown some hair growth results for a lot of people.
Has anyone else went though severe hair loss? Would you stop dieting if it happened to you? I just hate the idea of either giving up or taking a break, I want this weight off now and for life. It's just hard.
What are you doing to lose weight? Low carb? Calorie counting?
Are you taking a vitamin? What is the brand/type?
Have you been tested for thyroid? Do you have PCOS?
If you haven't seen the doctor yet don't let her brush you off! Bring in a food log of what you are eating in a week, show her any vitamins you are taking, write down any exercise you do, etc. If she brushes you off tell her you need help not a brush off, if she won't help change doctors.
What are you doing to lose weight? Low carb? Calorie counting?
Are you taking a vitamin? What is the brand/type?
Have you been tested for thyroid? Do you have PCOS?
If you haven't seen the doctor yet don't let her brush you off! Bring in a food log of what you are eating in a week, show her any vitamins you are taking, write down any exercise you do, etc. If she brushes you off tell her you need help not a brush off, if she won't help change doctors.
Thanks
I am calorie counting and have been since the beginning. I started out at 1600-1700 per day and now I average 1400-1500 per day. My ratio is about 50% carbs (from wheat, fruit, veggies), 25% fats (sunflower seeds, peanut butter, olive oil, meats), 25% protein (meats, beans, eggs)
*Centrum multi vitamin with zinc and iron
*two ferrous sulfate iron supplements with one chewable C for absorption
*B50 complex as well.
My thyroid has been tested and I don't seem to have the symptoms of PCOS. I have regular periods and two children.
Be sure to tell your doctor about the vitamins and any other supplements or medications you are taking. I know one person whose hair began to fall out because she was taking a lot of vitamin A. She's lucky that was the only problem--too much A can be dangerous. Also tell your doctor about your weight loss plan and share your food log with her. The more information you can supply, the better! Maybe a picture of how your hair was before it started to fall out.
It sounds like you're panicking, so I'd suggest you take some deep breaths, too. Just prepare for your doctor visit and try to keep an open mind. Don't be afraid to push for answers and don't let your concerns get dismissed. These days, every one of us has to be responsible for getting the care we think we need.
Please remember ( I think I mentioned this in the other thread) once you do find the cause of your hair loss it may take a few months before you start seeing an improvement...don't give up hope.
Could be post pregnancy related. How old is your youngest? Post preg hair lost is common, I experienced it although it's not as bad as what you're going through. But DS turns two Sunday and the hair that grew back is only about 4-6 inches now and my hair grows fast.
ok, here's a little extra info. If you are not pregnant, or recently been. It may still be caused by your hornones. A woman's estrogen and progesterone levels RAPIDLY decline when she is postpartum.
Too little estrogen, will cause your hair to fall out, luxurious nails and hair--thank estrogen.
too much estrogen is converted into the same type of BAD testosterone as men get when they have too much testosterone. When women have too much estrogen, it is converted to dihydrotestosterone.
you may need a full hormone panel.
What is your body fat? Estrogen is stored in fat cells. This is why you have to have a certain % of body fat to get pregnant. What is your cholesterol intake. If you notice all of the hormones are made from cholesterol.
here is a link that gives a visual of what i just said.
of course NOTHING i am telling you is better than a doctor visit. I hope you get some answers. I know how frustrating and demoralizing losing your hair is for either a man or woman.
I had thinning hair when I lost 40-50 pounds before, calorie counting. Now I am low carbing and it seems to be thinning again, not terrible yet but annoying. I am taking 5000 Biotin, B12 sublingual, and fish oil daily. And hoping for the best. No, I will not stop losing weight over hair. I would wear a wig first. And I do believe it will grow back eventually anyway.
I had the same thing happen last fall and it was really scary but right before I went to the doctor about it, it slowed down and stopped. All my tests were fine and she thought it was just from losing so much weight. The nice part was that it grew back now that I'm well into maintenance.
Do hang in there, it's terrible I know, and maybe there isn't a black and white choice. If it's weight loss related you could pause and maintain then lose the rest often your body adjusts. Don't give up just yet!
sweetnlow28....I am a medical assistant and this is something I have seen on occasion. There are so many different reasons why this could be happening such as weight loss, stress, crash dieting, anemia, or alopecia(which is not a symptom but a diagnosis). The absolute best doctor would be a dermatologist. A simple CBC(complete blood count) and/or iron level would tell you if your anemic. Your primary care physician should definitely order some blood work and if not then at least refer you to a dermatologist and they will take it from there. Good luck!!! Please let us know how your visit went.
My babies are 8 and 9 now. I do remember losing some hair after they were born, not as bad as this though. I am trying to stay calm and wait for the doctor. I guess it's just getting to the point where its impacting my self confidence. I feel like everyone can see the bald spots and it gets disheartening. I have been losing hair for 6 months now, I can only lose so much!
Many medicines can cause your hair to fall out. I have a herniated disc in my back, and I noticed after taking anti-inflammatories my hair was coming out in handfuls, but not for the first few months so I didn't put two and two together. My dermatologist said even over the counter anti-inflammatories like Advil can cause it. She recommended taking Biotin daily for hair and nails.
Forgot to add: there is something called Toppik you can get online, you just shake it onto your head in the thin areas and it really makes you look like you have more hair. Also Joan Rivers sells something that comes in a compact (Great Hair Day), you just brush it onto the areas like you would put blusher on. If you google you can find both of these products.
Scared I might have to stop losing
It's just getting so hard to see piles of hair every time I brush it. I dread my daily shower now because that is when most of it comes out. Rogaine might be my only option now. I have heard of some really bad side effects and I am allergic to a lot of chemicals. I am not sure what to think on that. I already use Nizoral shampoo as that has shown some hair growth results for a lot of people.
Sounds like you've already received solid advice. Hang in there.
