Is Hair Falling Out a Symptom...?

Updated on November 17, 2008
J.M. asks from Hermitage, TN
23 answers

I noticed with this pregnancy that my hair is still falling out (it didn't AT ALL with my first one) in large enough clumps to be annoying, and that my nails still break and peel easily like before I got pregnant. I talked to a midwife today and she was stumped. Could this be a symptom of a protein deficiency? I eat plenty of cheese and at least one serving of meat per day; what could be causing it? And what's the fix? Thanks!

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W.M.

answers from Louisville on

My best friends hair fell out in clumps with all 3 pregnancies. It is a vitamin deficiency typically. Our food has no nutritional value. Covered with pesticides and other chemicals. I would suggest a quality mulitivitamin plus iron from a reputable health food store to try to put back what you are not receiving from your food and your child is taking from your body. I took Shaklee Vita-lea with iron on top of mounds of other things. Your body will take from the reserves to get what it needs and when its out of reserves, your body begins to shut down in different parts and "act out". I hope that makes sense.
Please don't hesitate to email me if you need anything.
Good luck.
W. from Indiana

1 mom found this helpful

T.C.

answers from Lexington on

Get your thyroid levels tested....

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V.W.

answers from Wheeling on

I too have this problem of my hair falling out.
I am on thyroid meds.
Maybe you need to go see your doctor about it.
I went and got my hair cut and ask them there why it was happening.
They told me it could be the Meds i am on.

Take care and have a good day Today

vicki W.

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R.B.

answers from Raleigh on

It sounds like you're anemic. Research it online, talk to your dr, & maybe start a low dose of iron. Like SlowFE. They sell it at Wal-Mart & everywhere else.

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S.P.

answers from Nashville on

Hi J.,
I wonder how long has it been since your last pregnancy. Do you think that your hormones haven't had a chance to catch up from that pregnancy if it wasn't very long ago? How far along are you know? Are you taking prenatal vitamins?

I would highly recommend talking about this with a doctor. It is possible that your body is not absorbing your vitamins for some reason.

Blessings,
S.

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V.C.

answers from Wheeling on

Hormonal changes can play all kinds of trick on your body (and emotions! LOL), and this may be one of them.

I'd check online (just 'google' or 'yahoo search' "pregnancy hair loss") and maybe talk to a couple of other professionals. You can sometimes even call a hospital and ask for a nurse in the area of concern (OB/Gyn in this case, I guess) --especially late at night when they usually don't have quite as much to do-- and they'll talk with you (free consultation!)

I know thyroid problems (which is ALSO controlled by thyroid 'hormones') can cause hair loss (and a host of other maladies!), and other physical 'problems' can cause it as well. Just keep asking til you get an answer that makes sense to your particular case!

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J.M.

answers from Memphis on

During pregnancy your hair does not fall out as it naturally would. That's why pregnant woman have just thick full gorgeous hair. After pregnancy the hair that should have fallen out over the last 9 mths start falling out. Sometimes it large amounts and sometimes its lasts for mths. The brittle nails however may be a sign of a vitamin defeciency. If you're nursing you should still be taking your prenantal vitamins.

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L.D.

answers from Raleigh on

J.,
You may want to have your thyroid checked. Losing hair and brittle nails are symptoms of an underactive thyroid. My thyroid efficiency diminished with the birth of each of my children. I was told that an untreated hypothyroid condition can be harmful to a pregnancy. You might want to look into a TSH test and have them check your T3 and T4 levels. Don't let them just tell you if your in the normal range but get the actual values. Hope this helps.

Good luck,
L. D.

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C.B.

answers from Charlotte on

You may want to have your thyroid checked. It only takes a blood test. Best wishes to you!!

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C.C.

answers from Knoxville on

Do all that was suggested and also try vitamin b supplements.

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A.J.

answers from Memphis on

I did lose more hair, and for the life of me I can't remember where or why I heard this was normal. I took prenatal vitamins and didn't have a problem with peeling nails, they were actually in better shape afterwards. If you want to pamper your hands (and maybe the rest of your skin) mix up some white sugar and some cocoa butter oil or almond oil. Scrub your cuticles with the stuff, and if you make a bunch, the rest of your body too...

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D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

.

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J.F.

answers from Charlotte on

J., Have the Dr. check your thyroid blood levels. This is a sign of Thyroid problem which is not abnormal in pregnancy because of hormone embalances.

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A.C.

answers from Wilmington on

I'm wondering about your thyroid. However, I would think that the midwife would have already considered it.

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G.W.

answers from Clarksville on

It might be your thyroid. You may want to have that checked, and discuss your symptoms with your OB/Gyn. Also, are you on a vitamin?

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B.L.

answers from Jacksonville on

Are you also excessively tired, or have other low thyroid symptoms? Do an internet search of your symptoms and throw "thyroid" in there and do a little research. Check out www.womentowomen.com. It has tons of useful info, but run anything you want to try by your doctor. Sometimes the tests they run in the doctor's office don't show the whole picture. Your body could be having an autoimmune attack on your thyroid, destroying it, even though your thyroid levels come back in the normal range (Hashimoto's). The test for that is for TPO, or thyroid peroxidase antigen. There's also a book (a bargain right now on www.amazon.com) called Feeling Fat Fuzzy Frazzled, all about hormone imbalance, by Dr. Shames (an MD). Good luck!

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W.M.

answers from Nashville on

The midwife shouldn't be stumped, this is normal! It is normal until your have your baby and your hormones are back in check. Even if you are nursing, it may continue. Then, in my case, as you age, it continues but not in clumps. Totally normal during pregnancy. After that, could be thyroids too.

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M.W.

answers from Raleigh on

When your hair, nails, or skin don't look healthy that is a sign something is not right in your body. You should consult a doctor and get things checked out. I'm used to hearing friends saying their hair and nails grow and are the best when they are pregnant because they eat better and are very faithful taking their supplements. Please let me know what you find out. I'm sure you'll be fine, its just best to address this as soon as possible.

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C.R.

answers from Knoxville on

Could you be anemic? Hair falling out can be a symptom of anemia.

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M.B.

answers from Lexington on

It could be perfectly normal people react different ways to different pregnancies. I am 26 weeks along and my hair is still coming out like it always has and since it has gotten cold my nails have started to break again. Everything is fine with my pregnancy and I am told this can be normal. I would recommend getting blood tests done to make sure all is good though if you have not already had it done. More for peace of mind than anything because freaking out during pregnancy is so rough on me at least. You might also check out the message boards at whattoexpect.com and ask your question there. I love those boards.

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V.C.

answers from Louisville on

J., I think it might be your Thyroid, you can get checked with a simple blood test. I had the same problem but found out when my DD was 6 months old, and I was in serious condition as my thyroid was in a thyroid storm.

Please consider and get it checked.

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A.M.

answers from Louisville on

You should go to the doctor for a TSH test. It sounds like you may have Thyroid disease. It's completely treatable. The doctor will do a blood test that measures how much thyroid hormone your body is making, and if it's off they will prescribe you some synthroid pills that you take every day.
I've had this since I was 16 and my dosage always had to be readjusted when I was pregnant. I hope this all that's going on with you.

Good luck,
A.

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A.R.

answers from Knoxville on

Yes it is a symptom. After a while though your hormones should regulate and this should stop if it doesn't you need to see your OBGYN before you go bald. My hair just wouldn't stop falling out and it turns out my hormones were all out of whack. Good Luck to you.

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