started losing ALOT of hair a month ago(female)need advice

[bobisa]

hey anyone,
okay i'm 34 and i've always had thin hair but alot of it. Hairdressers would always think 'oh god i have to brush that hair out'....i have a lot of curls and it's now shoulder length. about a month and 1/2 ago i started to lose alot of it. I now can't even wear my hair up as you can see my scalp. When it's down i'ts the same way but i can arrange it.
I've gone to a dermatologist and had blood test taken,normal.
Now because it's happening so fast i'm naturallly freaking out.
my question, does it grow back....let's say maybe due to stress? what can i do to maintain the hair i still have? did you sweat on your head more? the texture of my hair has changed alot! did this happen to anyone else?
my hair is also breaking. please help

 

[bobisa]

dissapointed

I'm suprised by coming onto a hairloss website that I've got no responses.All of you have gone through the same thingand therefore know what I'm going through and how tough it is.
thanks

 

[HairlossTalk]

1. What blood tests were done? Please provide a complete list.

2. Would you consider seeing a different dermatologist who might be able to give you a second opinion?

3. Are you on any medications at all? If so, what

4. Have you recently given birth?

HairLossTalk.com

 

[bobisa]

anwers

I'm not really sure about what blood tests were taken (finding out on Tuesday) the Doctor didn't even give me a follow up appt. I know thyroid was one of the tests (one vial only) I called in to find out the results of my tests and found that I could only book an appt for late sept. (at the rate my hair is going I don't have that much time)

Yes, the first thing I'm doing is finding a good dermatologist.I have an appt with the 'Canadian Institute of Hair & Scalp specialists' this coming thursday. I don't know anything about this company, other than they'll give me a free 'hair test' to find out what's going on,after that it's pay,pay,pay. So I'm trying to find other options.

I had a really bad flu awhile back and was given a strong prescription (about 3 months ago) I'm finding out what exactly that was as soon as possible. Other than that I'm on nothing. I was told to take a pre-natal vitamin so I'm taking that at the moment.

I'm 34, and am not pregnant, nor do I have kids. Do you think it's okay to take these pre-natal vitamins?
I've lost so much hair in such little time that I'm worried I'll be bald in a month, or forced to cut all my hair off.

 

[HairlossTalk]

Ack!

I swear these people are such crooks. The "Free hair test" is a total scam. Assuming they've told you that they will be doing a "bulb analysis" (if they havent specified, ask, and if its a bulb analysis...) it is a scam to get your money. Nothing can be determined from a bulb analysis. The AAD put out a warning to people a year ago and we had it in a previous newsletter of ours that these hair tests were announced as money making scams.

Now if this is a legitimate physicians office and they're going to do legitimate series of blood tests to try and determine what may be the cause of your hair loss, then okay.

Please read through our Women's Guide to Hair Loss (im surprised how often I need to tell people to do this here in the forums, is it difficult to find on the site? If so, please let us know and we will make it more prominent)

In there is a list of blood tests that you need to have done, and a couple links to finding a physician from the list of Recommended physicians in by the American Academy of Dermatology. We packed the women's section full of information so please read through it from beginning to end.

I guarantee you will not get anywhere near as much information from any doctor on the topic as you find there.
Please keep us updated... I am not okay with you spending any more money than you need to spend, so don't be a stranger... we will be here to help you.

http://www.hairlosstalk.com/research/women

Go there.

First step is to read through that. Second step is to extract the list of blood tests you need. Third step is to click the text link (i think on the same page) to finding a physician. Fourth step is to call around and find a physician from that list. Fifth step is to bring the list of blood tests to a physician that can see you *NOW*. Even if you need to just go down to the local hospital yourself and request the tests, and pay cash, you can get them done. The results will give you "normal" range and tell you if you're in normal or abnormal ranges. You dont need a doctor to determine this. From there you can bring your blood tests to a doctor and get proper treatment for whatever is imbalanced in your system. If you're lucky enough to find a doctor who can see you now, have them order the tests and bring the abnormal results back to him. Have your current doctor order the tests, if he says no, put up a fight... or find any dermatologist in the entire city who has an available appointment and go to him simply requesting the tests.

It is unfortunate but you really need to take things into your own hands because otherwise you will be sitting here, as you already see, with one option (someone trying to lie to you and take your money, and another option (sitting around until september because there are no appointments).

The only issue may end up being cost of the blood tests. If you go to have them done yourself they may not be covered by insurance. Then again you're in canada, and you have a better health system than we do... so im told... so see what needs to be done to accomplish the goals.

I really feel incredibly bad for women losing their hair. In one sense they are lucky because if they can find the imbalance and treat it, the hair loss will stop eventually. on the other hand it is such a total pain in the rear end having to deal with doctors, and its such a complicated process to find someone competent enough to know what to do for a woman losing her hair.. that it makes the whole experience a thousand times more difficult than what a Man has to deal with.

Keep us informed.

Good Luck.

HairLossTalk.com

 

[bobisa]

what do I do?

thanks so much for replying back with some excellent advice. I did everything that was suggested to prepare for my appt. Yesterday, I finally managed to get another appt. with a different dermatologist and this guy had no idea. He started by asking the usual questions, I was in his office for a total of 10 minutes when I figured he'de mention blood tests (which I hadn't gotten around to letting him know I already had them done) when he wrote me out a prescription and said it won't show results for a long time and was about to send me on my way. I was just baffled, I said "what about blood tests" he said "why would you want them" then I asked about the 'bulb test' I need to have one" he got kind of beligerent and plucked loads of hair out stuffed them in a bag and said the lab probably won't do them anyway and if they do it'll take 6 weeks. Naturally I don't think I have 6 weeks and expressed concern that i could be bald by then, he just said I wouldn't and sent me on my way with my perscription.

I would have demanded he do more,but seeing as he didn't think any testing was necessary I thought him to incompetant and figured I'll just find someone else.
the prescription he gave me is 'Valisone scalp lotion'
I don't know how to find a derm with knowledge of female balding (been calling around) and I'm shedding fast.
does anyone know about this product.?

 

[HairlossTalk]

Hello -

Sorry to hear about your experience. Some background, your doctor is right and wrong. Bulb tests were announced to be innefective and a "scam" about a year ago. There is nothing they can determine from analyzing the bulb of a hair.

Now lets dicuss why your doctor was uneducated. First off the bulb test is supposed to be done on hair that has fallen on its own. If he plucked it out, he was way off base. Nice.

Secondly, you are correct. He should have called for a series of blood tests. I assume that you had the list from our Women's Guide to Hair Loss? If not, please review it and have the tests done that you have not already had done. As we may have mentioned previously, you should either call a lab testing center or call a dermatologist and simply state that you need his approval for some tests.

If you need to, lie. Tell him you spoke with a very close family member who happens to be a dermatologist, but who is currently living in another country. Tell them that your family and this physician has told you that they expect you to get the tests done, and you would like the Doctor to approve them.

The list of tests are on the following page:
http://www.hairlosstalk.com/research/women/step2wom.htm

In the meantime, you can start using Tricomin Therapy Spray or Rogaine for Women and it should start to help in a few months. It takes time. Don't use the vaseline treatment. I cannot believe your Doctor gave you a vaseline lotion for hair loss... although he may have been attempting to treat a bad scalp condition he observed. If that's the case, use both.

HairLossTalk.com

 

[bobisa]

Hi there,
thanks so much for all the great advice!
it wasn't valseline it was Valisone scalp treatmentbut I'm thinking of trying what you told me....right now i'm just using Bioscal shampoo/cond and it doesn't appear to be helping whatsoever.
....well I went to new dermatologist, she requested I get the blood test results from the very first dr. i went to and as it turns out my iron count was extremely low (lowest should be 13 minimum...mine was at 2)
She prescribed me to go on 300 mg of gluconate ferreux (iron) and vit c both 2 daily. It's only been 4 days but the hair is still falling out fast and furiously...I swear I'm gonna go mad.
She said it probably wasn't my hormones as I don't have any hair growing anywhere else. She also said that it probably wasn't Alopecia because it's not falling out in a circular pattern. I have a new appt tommarrow and will be getting my new blood test results back. Could you tell me what % of women get their hair back? and if so, does it growback normal?
Also,I've heard that once you start Rogaine, you have to stay on for life, is this true and if so is Tricomin the same?
thanks in advance.
Lisa

 

[HairlossTalk]

as it turns out my iron count was extremely low (lowest should be 13 minimum...mine was at 2) She prescribed me to go on 300 mg of gluconate ferreux (iron) and vit c both 2 daily. It's only been 4 days but the hair is still falling out fast and furiously...I swear I'm gonna go mad.

Iron levels are a big contributor to hair loss for many women. Your new doctor seems to know what she is doing. She put you on the iron supplement, so you are most likely on your way to restoring your hair. Be happy What you need to do now is be patient. It took several months for your hair to get to where it is now, so you'll need to give it several months before you expect it to return. Your body needs to incorporate the iron and begin its processes again. It will take time. Then it will take more time for the hair to begin to grow. Don't start to worry for at least another 6 to 8 months. You will likely see a change in 3-5 months.

She said it probably wasn't my hormones as I don't have any hair growing anywhere else. She also said that it probably wasn't Alopecia because it's not falling out in a circular pattern.

She is correct again. It's probably not hormones though, because your iron levels are completely out of range and this is a common cause of women's hair loss, so simply because of that, its probably the iron and not hormones. Likewise, you probably meant "Alopecia Areata". She is correct, that is characterized by spotty patchy loss, versus diffuse thinning. She's right on the money.

I have a new appt tommarrow and will be getting my new blood test results back.

Don't be surprised if nothing new is found. Its likely that the iron levels are the culprit and you're already aware of that problem.

Could you tell me what % of women get their hair back? and if so, does it grow back normal?

Almost 100% of women get their hair back *if* they can target the cause, and effectively treat it. That's the good news about women's hair loss, unlike men's. Its usually due to a different condition that many times have established treatments. The point we stress most in the Guide to Women's Hair Loss here on HairlossTalk.com is (1) getting the tests to accurately diagnose the imbalance and then (2) treating the imbalance, which should result in restoration of hair, in time. Sometimes it takes upwards of a year to return however. Take a look at our "Proven Treatments" overview for women. Diagnosing the underlying cause is considered the "most effective" treatment for women's hair loss... assuming there is one. Sometimes one may not be found: http://www.hairlosstalk.com/research/wo ... nt1wom.htm

Also,I've heard that once you start Rogaine, you have to stay on for life, is this true and if so is Tricomin the same?

If Iron is responsible for your hair loss, treating the imbalance will restore your hair. Because of this, you can use Rogaine and Tricomin in the short term to stimulate some growth. Soon your body will be back on track with its Iron levels, so this problem will not be causing *new* hair loss, even if it takes some time to regrow your hair. As a result, you can begin Rogaine and Tricomin today and start kickstarting that dormant hair into growth again. You may need a good year or so before your body would have restored your hair on its own, so ... again assuming Iron imbalance is the cause... you very likely might only need to use Rogaine and Tricomin for a year, and then your body should take over growing hair from there. You may only need to use it for a few months. Just know that if you're keeping your iron balances in cheque, your body should be working (slowly) to grow hair on its own, eventually.

This is *very* different from men, who are unable to treat the cause of their hair loss, aside from using Propecia. With Male pattern baldness one must stay on Rogaine and Tricomin and any other treatment indefinitely, to maintain any hair they grow with it.

Glad to hear you found the likely cause, stick with the iron supplements, start eating a very healthy diet, feel free to use Tricomin or Rogaine for Women, and give yourself a good year before you expect full restoration.

HairLossTalk.com

 

[bobisa]

HELP ADMIN!!!

Hello and thanks for responding so much.
Okay, I just got back from the dermatologist who said my blood test result were in and that my hormone or DHEAS levels were incredibly high (20.4) so tomorrow I have to be checked out for Polycystic ovarian disease and i'm having a pelvic/abdomen exam to check adrenals for tumors/cysts on ovaries.
she then put me on 5% Minoxidil

my question is this:
Is it okay that I use this product, or will it worsen it (hair loss)
also, does anyone know about this disease/syndrome and if so does the hair grow back?
p.s.- I don't have any excess hair anywhere and i'm only 102 pounds so I don;t really fit the profile.....but who knows..
thanks,
Lisa

 

[bobisa]

i've since gone to get those tests done and although i won't get to see results for a week the one thing i managed to find out is it's not my ovaries.He found something 'suspicious'with my adrenals.
Is it okay for me to take the minoxidil with this hormone/adrenal prob?

 

[Guest]

I hate to just jump in here....but for women especially doesn't it make more sense to use something on the natural side instead of minoxidil right away??? I say this because women seem to respond to many of these treatments even more so then men. Just my .02

 

[bobisa]

yes Jacob it does make more sense.....you tell me the natural way to do it and I'm there
...i haven't taken Minoxidil yet....i'm kinda afraid too still.I realize that I should since I've heard that it's better to do it right away but I don't have enough information on other choices as of yet. I need to first have my diagnoses and treat that, then once I know I'll take the Minoxidil when dr. say's it's okay

 

[Guest]

I think your best bet....if you do decide to go the "natural way"...is to ask other women or go thru previous posts here and even elsewhere. I've seem a number of products mentioned...even the "snake-oil" Thymuskin...but again I'd do a little research and ask around. One problem is..even with the "proven" products....what may work for one person may not work for another....

 

[HairlossTalk]

I hate to just jump in here....but for women especially doesn't it make more sense to use something on the natural side instead of minoxidil right away??? I say this because women seem to respond to many of these treatments even more so then men. Just my .02

No. For women especially, hair loss is caused by other internal factors that need fixing before hair will return. In the meantime, the most intelligent thing for a woman to do is use a hair growth stimulant of some kind that has shown itself to work. How that treatment has been shown to work is irrelevant if it is hard scientific testing.

A snake oil is a snake oil, irregardless of the gender of the user. Minoxidil, Tricomin, possibly Nioxin or Revitalize and a dedicated treatment to the underlying internal cause ... is how a woman should treat her hair loss. Thymuskin is no less a snake oil for women than it is for men.

Again - regarding "natural" treatments... I welcome every one of them to do double blinded placebo based trials. If one does it, and performs, I will promote it to every woman who visits this site. What's stopping 'em ?

Till then ladies, avoid the untested treatments like the plague unless you have a lot of money, and hair, to risk.

HairLossTalk.com

 

[Guest]

Why was my post deleted??

 

[Guest]

As I said....All you have to do is take a look around these forums....do some research....see what has worked for some(for the women that's obviously mainly the women's forums). Do not be inpressed with "proven" unless it's been proven to work for you. And of course lots of women can be helped by looking at what's going on inside their bodies...that's why lots of wome can be helped by these alternative treatments! They're not suffering from male pattern baldness 8O

 

[bobisa]

well, to keep updated
My test results came back (PCOS) and it looks like that's NOT the problem. I have a endocrinologist appt Monday (first time) and seeing my new derm on Tues. Hopefully I'll get this nipped in the but soon. I am hesitant in using the Minoxidil still.
should I just start anyway, without knowing the cause?
lisa

 

[Mich]

I go to my Dr. in 2 days (seems like forever away) and I have wrote down your list of blood tests to demand. I am extremely hopeful. One question though....if I were iron deficient, wouldn't I have other symptoms with the hair loss?? I will try to keep you posted. This has been a relatively short.....but challenging struggle for me.