Please read and advise

[cjensen]

Hello, I'm 34 years old and am in need of some advice. I have been lurking these boards for about a month a have found some help in reading all your post.

About two months ago I started to notice my hair shedding more then what I thought was normal. I would find about 10 strains on my pillow in the morning, a few in the shower when shampooing (no idea how many went down the drain) but I'm assuming it has to be around 30, when I run my hands through my hair I can find 1 or two most of the time and when I run my hairs over the sink fast I can find 5-6 now and then, not every time. After a really good day of not seeing to many hairs I woke up this morning to find 30 on my pillow. This is the worst yet!

About 10 years ago I experienced something like this where my hair was shedding a lot and it just kinda stopped. My wife thinks I am going crazy, I do have OCD so she thinks this is me just over reacting and stressing myself out for no reason. She insists that my hair looks the same and I don't see how that is possible.

I went to the Dr. and all my blood test came back normal so I have no idea why I would just start shedding this much hair this fast. can male pattern baldness come on that fast?

We are trying to have a baby so I am worried about getting on meds.

Thanks for any help

 

[cjensen]

Also, 90% of all the shed hairs have a white bulb at the end. It seems unclear to me if this is a good or bad thing?

 

[fodandahalf]

Get a bulk analysis from a dermatologist otherwise you've got no way of telling. The white bulbs are a good sign- new hairs will most likely grow in their place.

 

[cjensen]

Also wanted to add that this was VERY sudden. I went from really shedding no hair at all to this.

I never had an opportunity to meet my grandparents but both parents have full head of hair.

This also may sound very weird but I have noticed my eyelashes falling out more??

 

[fodandahalf]

Also wanted to add that this was VERY sudden. I went from really shedding no hair at all to this.

I never had an opportunity to meet my grandparents but both parents have full head of hair.

I'm in a similar position with my dad having a full head of hair, my maternal grandparent apparently had a full head of hair when he died, my paternal grandparent started losing in his 40s which is odd and I have a couple of uncles who lost some hair in their late 20s/30s. I've always had fine hair and a high hairline so the slightest recession has sent me crazy (happened when I was 14.) I've not really lost any more hair now (18 years old) but either way it doesn't look good.

If you're worried get the bulk analysis or just wait and see if you actually notice a difference in appearance. Shedding happens every day, some people shed over 100 hairs a day when they're not balding. Anything could have caused a sudden shed (happened to me once when I'd drank a ridiculous amount of alcohol the night before) and if the bulbs are there as you say it's probably nothing to worry about. Give it a week or so, even if you are balding it won't be noticeable even to you until as long as a year so don't panic. You've got time.

 

[cjensen]

Thanks man, I'm kinda freaking out. I know it's just hair but its happeing so quick. It's funny that you bring up drinking, this all seemed to start after a huge night out, but its been a month and a bit and had my worst shed this morning.

Yeah, every hair has this white bulb at the bottom, but some say thats bad and others say its good. Can't remember if I mentioned this, but I'm 34 and trying to have a baby with my wife so I am very concerned about getting on meds and all the side effects that folks talk about.

Thanks again for the response, been checking all day every 10 minutes its seems.

 

[cjensen]

Ok, so only two hairs on my pillow this morning. What gives?

 

[fodandahalf]

Sounds like the increased shedding was temporary and you have nothing to worry about. Counting hairs means nothing non balding people can shed up to 200 hairs daily. Unless your hair is coming out in handfuls it's not really a sign of balding.

 

[cjensen]

Thanks for getting back to me. I check every hour to see if someone can help. I'm 34 so should be better at dealing with this.

What is considered "handfuls"

I can vigorously run my hands through my hair and in the span of 5-10 minutes get 10 - 20 hairs to fall out. As I said when I shampoo I see 4-5 hairs on my hands and am sure others are coming out as well. Side note, my wife sheds like easily 30 in the shower and is clearly not balding so that is nice to see.

I know folks have talked about this at length and it seems to be just a myth, but I noticed this shedding once I started up my weight lifting and whey protein routine. I am starting to believe that there has to be some sort of connection.

Thanks again for all the help.

P.S. Had two hairs this morning on pillow and around 20 in the drain after shower. I'm sure some made it through though. Thoughts?

P.S.S. Just styled my hair an nine strains fell out.
--

 

[fodandahalf]

Thanks for getting back to me. I check every hour to see if someone can help. I'm 34 so should be better at dealing with this.

What is considered "handfuls"

I can vigorously run my hands through my hair and in the span of 5-10 minutes get 10 - 20 hairs to fall out. As I said when I shampoo I see 4-5 hairs on my hands and am sure others are coming out as well. Side note, my wife sheds like easily 30 in the shower and is clearly not balding so that is nice to see.

I know folks have talked about this at length and it seems to be just a myth, but I noticed this shedding once I started up my weight lifting and whey protein routine. I am starting to believe that there has to be some sort of connection.

Thanks again for all the help.

P.S. Had two hairs this morning on pillow and around 20 in the drain after shower. I'm sure some made it through though. Thoughts?

P.S.S. Just styled my hair an nine strains fell out.
--

Making changes to your lifestyle like new exercise routines/ diet can disrupt your hair cycles and maybe increase shedding dramatically but it won't make you go bald. The worst it could do is maybe speed up your predetermined balding pattern which was always going to happen but if you have a full head of hair you shouldn't be worried about going bald. The worst thing balding men have to put up with is the worry and devestation- not the actual hair loss. You don't need to put yourself through this, even if you were balding counting hairs will tell you nothing and just mess with your head.

 

[cjensen]

Yes, really messing with my head and life. Think I 'm gonna drive my wife away. She could care less about balding men, actually finds a good friend of mine who is bald very attractive, same with a lot of women I know. But if I continue down this OCD road she may leave.