Some questions regarding thinning hair

[cleanprophet]

Literally 2 or 3 months ago I didn't notice any hair loss or hair thinning. I'm sure it was thinning but it wasn't really noticeable. Just in the last 4-6 weeks I've been able to see the scalp in a way that concerned me.

I'm 39 and there's is no history of male pattern baldness in my family at all, on either side, and I have two older brothers (4 years older and 6 years older) who have no hair thinning or hair loss. I know you can still lose hair for genetic reasons even if there is no history of male pattern baldness, but I'm thinking this is something other than male pattern baldness.

There is no loss or even thinning at the vertex. The loss is at the front and it is slightly more so at the parting in the front of my hair.

The main question I have is about diet. I'm a vegetarian and have been for about 4 or 5 years. When I really looked at my diet a month ago, I realised that I haven't been taking in the required protein, iron, zinc etc for years. I need about 80g of protein for my weight, on a normal day. On a day when I exercise (which is most days), that requirement is about 120g-130g. I reckon that most days I get about 60g-80g (usually nearer 60g). My iron intake is probably well under half the required amount. About 3-4 months ago I made changes to my diet and inadvertently reduced my protein intake to about 50g a day. Within 2 to 3 months of that change I started to notice the hair being quite thin and hair shedding a fair bit.

I made dietry changes straight away and for nearly 4 weeks now I've been taking the supplements I need (containing iron, zinc, magnesium, selenium etc) and for over 3 weeks I've been taking protein to get my intake to the required level.

My question is, is it possible that this hair thinning/loss is down my diet and, if so, how long would it take to see an improvement after starting the supplements and additional protein?

What I should also add is that I would wash my hair with water every morning and would be quite rough when drying it. I then would go to the gym later in the day and, again, when the hair was wet from sweat would dry it roughly before doing so once again after a shower. In other words, I didn't take much care with my hair and the front of my hair (especially at the parting) would take the brunt of it. I now am much more careful when my hair is wet and I now use a good quality protein enriched shampoo (previously I would only wash with a product every 2 or 3 days and wouldn't use a specialist hair product, just a generic thing that does "body and hair").

I got my hair cut about 6-7 weeks ago and didn't notice anything. I had it cut yesterday and it was very clear to see the thinning. Ultimately, I will probably go to the doctor to get his opinion and maybe get a blood test to see if there is anything else going on. But I was wondering if anyone else here had experience of hair loss due to a lack of protein, iron etc?

 

[cleanprophet]

I'll give this a little bump as it didn't receive a reply.

 

[CursedMen]

Unless you live in a third world country, where you don't eat for days, I have very high doubts that the hair loss is due to diet. Even if you have no family history of hair loss, I believe male pattern baldness is a common enough genetic trait that it can happen to anyone.

 

[dusty]

Wouldn't it be great if we had some pictures so we can actually give you some advice on your hair:mrgreen:

 

[bestglycol]

bestglycol

where you don't eat for days, I have very high doubts that the hair loss is due to diet.:freak:

 

[cleanprophet]

Unless you live in a third world country, where you don't eat for days, I have very high doubts that the hair loss is due to diet. Even if you have no family history of hair loss, I believe male pattern baldness is a common enough genetic trait that it can happen to anyone.

I thought hair loss through a poor diet would not be something you would see unless the diet is very, very poor. But apparantly, it is more common than many people realise. A long term lack of iron and zinc will effect the performance of the follicles and a long term lack of protein will create thinner and weaker hair. I remember speaking to my doctor about 3 years ago (when I visited over a seperate issue) and I mentioned that if I had a cut on my hand, leg or wherever it would take a long time to heal. It would scab over but the scab would take weeks to fall off and then the mark on the skin would stay there for months. He said this was due to a vegetarian diet. I accepted it at that and thought no more about it. What he should have said was that I need to get more iron, zinc and protein into my diet. If I was not getting enough nutriments to help cuts heal 3 years ago, then I'd have thought my hair would be suffering too.

I know there doesn't need to be a family history of male pattern baldness for it to occur. My older brothers have no thinning hair and none of my cousins on the maternal side (younger and older than me) have any hair thinning, but I know that doesn't mean I can't have male pattern baldness. But, I think it means I should look into things like diet and hormonal balance much more closely. In any event, even if it is male pattern baldness then a lack of things like iron, zinc and protein should be addressed as it will only add to the hair thinning and hair loss. Ultimately, I will make an appointment with my doctor and see what he thinks.

Wouldn't it be great if we had some pictures so we can actually give you some advice on your hair:mrgreen:

Here's some pictures. Not great quality I'm afraid and there isn't any of the crown (I didn't bother because there is absolutely not thinning or loss in that area, just the front).