Hairs Dramatically Thinned Over 3 Months And Still Doing So!

[Hannah fletcher]

Hey all I'm new here & have found alot of useful information since joining!
I'm a 23 year old female and since the beginning of April I have experienced diffuse hair thinning which has become increasingly worse over the last few months, I've seen 3 GPS and had bloods with just folic acid showing slightly low, each gp has said it's stress related and temporary but will not refer me to a derm so I can put my mind at rest! My problem isn't necessarily the thinning of my hair which is around half as thick but more so the fact I can see my scalp? It's so white and I never seen my scalp usually with my hair down just a few months ago but can now so it's scared me a bit, when my hair sheds I'm loosing alot of thinner and shorter hair behind my ears and the back of my head by my neck, it's also really itchy I'm so confused and I just want to know for sure if this is a temporary problem! Has anyone else experienced anything similar or maybe have any advice? Thanks Hannah x

 

[Hannah fletcher]

Bump x

 

[PappinAce]

hi Hannah. sorry to hear you are going through this. did you check ferritin and thyroid levels? a GP can order what they call a fatigue test. ferritin under 70 will be insufficient for regrowth, and a low number could cause thinning.

 

[hairblues]

Hey all I'm new here & have found alot of useful information since joining!
I'm a 23 year old female and since the beginning of April I have experienced diffuse hair thinning which has become increasingly worse over the last few months, I've seen 3 GPS and had bloods with just folic acid showing slightly low, each gp has said it's stress related and temporary but will not refer me to a derm so I can put my mind at rest! My problem isn't necessarily the thinning of my hair which is around half as thick but more so the fact I can see my scalp? It's so white and I never seen my scalp usually with my hair down just a few months ago but can now so it's scared me a bit, when my hair sheds I'm loosing alot of thinner and shorter hair behind my ears and the back of my head by my neck, it's also really itchy I'm so confused and I just want to know for sure if this is a temporary problem! Has anyone else experienced anything similar or maybe have any advice? Thanks Hannah x

It sounds like Telogen Effluvium did you get a biopsy? that can help determine if its Telogen Effluvium..IF its Telogen Effluvium you have to find the trigger..also make sure its not anything medical triggering it--medical can include thyroid, anemia, ferritin anemia, PCOS, medications like accutane or birth control pills even some psychological medications like Zoloft or Lexapro can trigger shedding.

 

[Hannah fletcher]

hi Hannah. sorry to hear you are going through this. did you check ferritin and thyroid levels? a GP can order what they call a fatigue test. ferritin under 70 will be insufficient for regrowth, and a low number could cause thinning.

Thankyou for replying, the gp said all bloods were normal and they'd done a more thorough one to be sure, my ferratin level is 83 so I'm not sure that's the problem, I have been under consistent stress from a bad relationship for around a year and am wondering if maybe that stress has brought it on but it's thinned so drastically considering it started it's only been the end of April I've noticed xx

 

[Hannah fletcher]

It sounds like Telogen Effluvium did you get a biopsy? that can help determine if its Telogen Effluvium..IF its Telogen Effluvium you have to find the trigger..also make sure its not anything medical triggering it--medical can include thyroid, anemia, ferritin anemia, PCOS, medications like accutane or birth control pills even some psychological medications like Zoloft or Lexapro can trigger shedding.

Thankyou so much for replying! At first I thought telegon effluvium from looking into the causes but the way my scalps thinned doesn't add up? I was under the impressing telegon effluvium didn't actually mean youd lose as much hair and that it wouldn't make my scalp show? I have all symptoms for pcos but my Dr is so adimant it's all stress and to sit tight, I'm also epileptic and took lamotragine for years until I become pregnant, a few months ago I started taking it again in a high dose so it could even be that! I'm on the depo proveria and have been inconsistantly for around 8 years now! Xxx

 

[Hannah fletcher]

Thankyou so much for replying! At first I thought telegon effluvium from looking into the causes but the way my scalps thinned doesn't add up? I was under the impressing telegon effluvium didn't actually mean youd lose as much hair and that it wouldn't make my scalp show? I have all symptoms for pcos but my Dr is so adimant it's all stress and to sit tight, I'm also epileptic and took lamotragine for years until I become pregnant, a few months ago I started taking it again in a high dose so it could even be that! I'm on the depo proveria and have been inconsistantly for around 8 years now! Xxx

Also I haven't had a scalp biopsy and the doctor has no intention of referring me to a derm as I haven't got bald spots! Xx

 

[hairblues]

Thankyou so much for replying! At first I thought telegon effluvium from looking into the causes but the way my scalps thinned doesn't add up? I was under the impressing telegon effluvium didn't actually mean youd lose as much hair and that it wouldn't make my scalp show? I have all symptoms for pcos but my Dr is so adimant it's all stress and to sit tight, I'm also epileptic and took lamotragine for years until I become pregnant, a few months ago I started taking it again in a high dose so it could even be that! I'm on the depo proveria and have been inconsistantly for around 8 years now! Xxx

Are you currently pregnant? Sorry to be nosey but pregnancy and also post pregnancy effects hormones and hormones effect hair loss and hair regrowth.

I would go to a dermatologist even if you pay out of pocket.its vital..Find someone who KNOWS about hair loss OR go to an endocrinologist that knows about hair loss if that is easier for insurance.

Its not your ferritin that is actually a good ferritin.

Try and research the medication you are on that might be triggering.

Are you finding a lot of hair in shower or brushing?

Telogen Effluvium can be chronic called Chronic TElegon Effluvium which can make hair appear like androgenic.

Do you have androgenic in family history? that is best way to know if your parents have it or grandparents when young.

 

[Hannah fletcher]

Are you currently pregnant? Sorry to be nosey but pregnancy and also post pregnancy effects hormones and hormones effect hair loss and hair regrowth.

I would go to a dermatologist even if you pay out of pocket.its vital..Find someone who KNOWS about hair loss OR go to an endocrinologist that knows about hair loss if that is easier for insurance.

Its not your ferritin that is actually a good ferritin.

Try and research the medication you are on that might be triggering.

Are you finding a lot of hair in shower or brushing?

Telogen Effluvium can be chronic called Chronic TElegon Effluvium which can make hair appear like androgenic.

Do you have androgenic in family history? that is best way to know if your parents have it or grandparents when young.

No my youngest is 3 next month and I'm not pregnant, yeah i was looking into it but cant seem to find a private derm? I wouldn't even mind paying I did have an online diagnosis off belgravia and it was fphl but that was from just pictures although she seemed pretty adimant it wasnt Telogen Effluvium, the only thing that doesnt add up is the mass shedding ive had some days ill lose 100-150 others just 20-30and the fact its only been around 3 months, as far as I know every woman in my family have thick hair even my 78 year old grandma's hair! Thankyou so much for taking the time to reply it really helps to talk about it! Xx

 

[hairblues]

No my youngest is 3 next month and I'm not pregnant, yeah i was looking into it but cant seem to find a private derm? I wouldn't even mind paying I did have an online diagnosis off belgravia and it was fphl but that was from just pictures although she seemed pretty adimant it wasnt Telogen Effluvium, the only thing that doesnt add up is the mass shedding ive had some days ill lose 100-150 others just 20-30and the fact its only been around 3 months, as far as I know every woman in my family have thick hair even my 78 year old grandma's hair! Thankyou so much for taking the time to reply it really helps to talk about it! Xx

Oh okay you are in Europe? I am in States I think its easier to get specialists with some areas like a dermatologist.

You may be having post pregnancy shedding?

Try Heralopecia because they may have some women who are shedding post pregnancy if your baby is 3 months out it can be hormones. Plus the epilepsy medication you can research that and see if hair loss is an issue..

@Pasbrillantebrunette what do you think? her baby is 3 months?

Cosmetically speaking for now your hair loss does not look bad but I know it can be distressing until you figure out what is going on you can use a little powder or Topik fibers to help camouflage if you are feeling self conscious. Derma blend is also supposed to be good. You can look in concealer section.

It does not look that bad to me cosmetically but everyone is different what bothers them.

I don't 'think' it's androgenic which is the hereditary hair loss.
Do you have miniaturized hairs on head? you can see this in a magnifying mirror. Androgenic alone, I don't think sheds that much hair a day if not mistaken.

Obviously I dont know if I am correct, others may have different experience and opinions.

 

[Hannah fletcher]

Oh okay you are in Europe? I am in States I think its easier to get specialists with some areas like a dermatologist.

You may be having post pregnancy shedding?

Try Heralopecia because they may have some women who are shedding post pregnancy if your baby is 3 months out it can be hormones. Plus the epilepsy medication you can research that and see if hair loss is an issue..

@Pasbrillantebrunette what do you think? her baby is 3 months?

Cosmetically speaking for now your hair loss does not look bad but I know it can be distressing until you figure out what is going on you can use a little powder or Topik fibers to help camouflage if you are feeling self conscious. Derma blend is also supposed to be good. You can look in concealer section.

It does not look that bad to me cosmetically but everyone is different what bothers them.

I don't 'think' it's androgenic which is the hereditary hair loss.
Do you have miniaturized hairs on head? you can see this in a magnifying mirror. Androgenic alone, I don't think sheds that much hair a day if not mistaken.

Obviously I dont know if I am correct, others may have different experience and opinions.

So sorry to confuse you I meant she is 3 in July! Yes I'm uk and although I'm greatful for the nhs I really would pay anything to at least get to the bottom of it all! Xx

 

[Hannah fletcher]

Oh okay you are in Europe? I am in States I think its easier to get specialists with some areas like a dermatologist.

You may be having post pregnancy shedding?

Try Heralopecia because they may have some women who are shedding post pregnancy if your baby is 3 months out it can be hormones. Plus the epilepsy medication you can research that and see if hair loss is an issue..

@Pasbrillantebrunette what do you think? her baby is 3 months?

Cosmetically speaking for now your hair loss does not look bad but I know it can be distressing until you figure out what is going on you can use a little powder or Topik fibers to help camouflage if you are feeling self conscious. Derma blend is also supposed to be good. You can look in concealer section.

It does not look that bad to me cosmetically but everyone is different what bothers them.

I don't 'think' it's androgenic which is the hereditary hair loss.
Do you have miniaturized hairs on head? you can see this in a magnifying mirror. Androgenic alone, I don't think sheds that much hair a day if not mistaken.

Obviously I dont know if I am correct, others may have different experience and opinions.

There are good few short spikey hairs all around the top area of the scalp but nothing promising we it could even be breakage! I'm not a lover of my hair and never have been so it's annoying it's upset me so much, it's the waiting to see it gets worse or better that's also frustrating as so far it's worse by the end of every week xxx

 

[hairblues]

There are good few short spikey hairs all around the top area of the scalp but nothing promising we it could even be breakage! I'm not a lover of my hair and never have been so it's annoying it's upset me so much, it's the waiting to see it gets worse or better that's also frustrating as so far it's worse by the end of every week xxx

Okay if the short spikes hairs look crazy thin or thinner than your other hair--that could be miniaturization.
If they just look like your other hair but shorter then most likely its just regrowth or hair that is just in a growing stage.
If where you are think is just no hair it could be Telogen Effluvium or CTE.

Also take notice of your shedding hairs the 'bulb' or 'root' of the hair that falls out.
If its white--that means it came to the end of its life cycle if its black or dark then that means it did not reach the end of its life cycle.

This also can help to figure out what kind of hair loss is happening.

Mine were all white short, long etc white bulb so my hair cycle was ending premature which is androgenic most of the time...where someone with areata (you can have diffuse areata its just not very common) will have dark roots because the difference is with areata its the body attacking the hair follicle and 'rejecting' it where androgenic is a slow killing process of the follicle where it is slowly decreasing the length and thickness and life cycle of the hair.

 

[Hannah fletcher]

Thankyou for awnsering all my questions you've really put my mind at rest, the hairs seem around the same texture but much lighter in colour, the shed hairs do have a white bulb at the end every single one in fact! I was sure the shedding would of calmed by now but it just seems worse if anything! The scalp is also really white which I've never actually looked at but now it's so easy to see, is that normal? X

 

[hairblues]

Thankyou for awnsering all my questions you've really put my mind at rest, the hairs seem around the same texture but much lighter in colour, the shed hairs do have a white bulb at the end every single one in fact! I was sure the shedding would of calmed by now but it just seems worse if anything! The scalp is also really white which I've never actually looked at but now it's so easy to see, is that normal? X

Mine looks whiter than my other skin.

 

[Hannah fletcher]

Hi,
If your baby is 3 months, it might be post partum shedding. You should go to a derm to make sure.
Women in your family does not matter. Look also at dad and gran dad from the mother side. Women in my family have a mane and I am almost bald.
Good luck

My youngest child is 3 in July I worded it wrong, sorry to confuse You! I am looking into private derms in my area now thankyou! I didn't have my dad in my life from a young age so I'm not totally sure of his genes but he still has all of his hair from what I've been told xx

 

[hairblues]

My youngest child is 3 in July I worded it wrong, sorry to confuse You! I am looking into private derms in my area now thankyou! I didn't have my dad in my life from a young age so I'm not totally sure of his genes but he still has all of his hair from what I've been told xx

What country are you in?

When you search look for a dermatologist who specializes in alopecia if you can.

This was very easy for me because I am in NYC so this may not be easy.

You want to get a biopsy--BUT you want to get a 'proper' biopsy so read a little bit on internet about biopsies for alopecia so you can compare how your Dr wants to do it...the pathologist is also key who is really the person making diagnosis of the biopsy--so you want to get a copy of the actual report when your Dr gets it. Sometimes they can make a mistake so its good if they get two biopsies at same time and compare them to one another.
Ask if the person reading the biopsy is going to be 'derma pathologist' who is familiar with various types of alopecia.

Sorry if that is all overwhelming unfortunately hair loss is not a priority to most medical Drs and you have to be your own advocate when dealing with them.

 

[Hannah fletcher]

Post partum is often telogen effluvium + can trigger an Androgenetic Alopecia. You need to make sure it is not Androgenetic Alopecia

I'm hoping it's telegon effluvium I really am, i have doubts that it is from the fact its thinned so much over the 3 months and my scalps never been visible until around a months after the shedding started! X