I've been losing alot of hair the past couple of months, and it is EXCESSIVE. I'm freaking out! I already have very thin, straight, fine hair. I experienced some hair loss after I had my youngest son, but this is different, and that was almost 5 years ago. Is it because of stress or depression? I've struggled with both my whole life but have never had hair loss because of it. Or could it be medication related? I was put on a very high dosage of prednisone back in the beginning of August to treat a severe ongoing sinus infection. I started at 60mg a day and tapered off over a 20 day period. The side effects I suffered from that were horrible. I've read that long-term use of prednisone can cause hair loss in some people. However, I didn't think 20 days would be considered long-term use. Also, at almost the same time as that, within days, my gynecologist switched my birth control from Loestrin 24 to LO Loestrin. I've been on birth control for almost 18 years (except for when I had my kids) and have never really experienced any problems. Is it any of these reasons why I'm losing so much hair? It's everywhere and sometimes comes out in clumps. I have to clean the shower drain daily. I switched to a shampoo & conditioner specifically for falling and breaking hair about 3 weeks ago and I just started taking Biotin this past weekend. What else can I do? I know my paternal grandmother lost most of her hair and she now wears a wig, but I'm only 37! Please help! Any input is appreciated. Oh, and I'm going this evening to get several inches of my hair cut off so the loss of it won't seem so extreme. My hair is long right now and falls past my bra strap. I'm hoping the stylist can offer some input as well.
Have your thyroid checked. Here's a list of other symptoms that can also indicate thyroid dysfunction: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/long-and-pathetic/
I'm betting it's hormonal. I would call your GYN and talk to her about your hair loss and hormone levels. Discuss having some bloodwork done.
My mom was losing hair in her early 40's. She found out that her estrogen levels were WAY too low.
It could be hormonal, or medication related. Since your grandmother lost most of her hair it could be hereditary. See your doctor so tests can be run to determine the cause, and hopefully a solution, your stylist can help with maximizing fullness but not stop or prevent it from happening.
Yes, definitely have your thyroid checked.
A change in your thyroid levels can trigger a lot of hair loss.
The good news is - if you treat the thyroid issue (if that's what it is), the hair grows back.
In addition to thyroid, please also have your Ferritin (iron stores) checked. Especially if you have heavy periods, you may be low in iron. If your Ferritin is lower than 35 it is too low. The normal range is something ridiculous like 10 - 200 -- but not every person is the same. If you're on the low end, try supplementing iron.
My hairloss started at about that age and turned out to be my thyroid. When I got that under control, the hairloss slowed but my hair was still thin. I started using minoxidil and that has helped. I also have a stylist who changed my part and cut in long layers which seems to make my hair look fuller.
I'm 48 now but when I turned 45 I began losing a lot of hair and it appeared to be thinning in the front. my thyroid and hormones checked out ok (and I'm not anywhere near menopause). So I talked with my hairdresser and here is my experience. I began taking 5000mg of Biotin DAILY (Don't miss a day!!!) that helped tremendously, I was very skeptical but I would say by 3 months into taking the Biotin the difference was undeniable, (the hubby noticed) I had healthier hair, doubled my growth rate (now I have to color it a lot more often) and I was no longer was losing my hair by the handful. (less hair all over the bathroom floor too!) but if I missed a few days I could always tell, but starting back up solved that problem fast. for 2+ years my hair grew healthy and well, still fine, it is long, past my bra strap, but still quite full. This past year it began to fall out more again but not to the point of "thinning" at first I was worried but it really is just at a normal rate. My hairdresser raves to all her clients about my story and even keeps Biotin in stock for her clients, even she has been amazed at how well it has worked for me.
About 6 weeks ago I added a new vitamin to my plan, it is called Vivascal ( vivascal.com ) I take the extra strength formula and it is also improving my hair loss rate and growth rate is still very good if not better, it does seem to be thicker but at 6 weeks it is hard to tell for sure. it is more expensive but worth it for me, $100 for a 3 month supply. (FYI they just reformulated it to add more Biotin, not sure how may mg, but I might drop the separate biotin pill to save $$ ) Viviscal is a fish/shellfish product so if you are allergic this will be very bad for you! Viviscal also has a repair formula vitamin and a shampoo and conditioner, which I have't tried. (I swear by my Morroccan oil products for shampoo and conditioner + oil) My hair is i the best shape of it's life, I can even curl it now :) which I could never do before! That's my experience, hope it helps
please feel free to PM me if you have questions, I may also have a 10% off coupon I could email to you, It will expire before I need to reorder.
Have you had any major weight loss? Like the NP told me, our hair grows in stages. What was your body going thru about 3 months ago? For me, I had lost about 30 lbs and I have been losing hair and its fine and thin as well.
Have you had someone check your scalp to see if it is spots? Have your hairdresser, kids or husband take a close look and see if there are any bald spots. I started loosing mine about 5-6 years ago and it was alopecia areata. My spots have always been under other hair so you wouldn't see unless you were looking. They are about dime to quarter size bald spots and I either use a liquid cortisone drop or if it's in a place that might be seen if it gets bigger I go to the dermatologist and get cortisone shots on the spot.
