Zinc Deficiency And Hair Thinning/loss

[sentry]

So around the end of 2017 I started noticing my naturally thin hair was thinning. At the time I was going through a lot of stress after some bad news that only got worse at the start of 2018 with a personal loss. The shedding seemed to stop at the start of this year but my hair hasn't bounced back yet. There isn't a history of hair loss on either side of my family going as far back as my great grandparents on both sides. I went to the doctors over it in 2017 and got my bloods done for hormones,thyroid and vitamins. They came back saying I have low zinc levels but everything else is fine. I started taking a hair and nails that gave me my daily rec zinc and thought nothing of it.

Roll on last week I went back to the doctor because my hair thinning has really effected my mental health. She repeated my zinc blood test and its still low despite my 10mg zinc vitamin. She has prescribed me a higher dose of zinc. My worry is that taking too much zinc might increase my testosterone and raise my DHT levels. If it isn't the zinc deficiency causing my hair loss but something yet diagnosed what if it makes my problems worse? Is it worth redoing my complete bloods again and seeing a tricologist first or should take the zinc for the 3 months shes prescribed?

I should note I also had bloods done for something else in 2016 and also had low zinc then. She said my current level is 11.5 (she didn't say a measurement) and I should be around 15-25 (again she never specified the measurement). Not sure if it changes anything but I hadn't taken my daily vitamins yet on the day of my bloods.

I've been taking bitoin, omega-3 and a multivitamin for 3 months now and a hair and nails with zinc for 2 months. I have noticed a halo of regrowth but my hair is still looking thin in places. I also have a thin spot in my hairline that isn't quite a bald patch yet but definitely thinner than the rest of my hair.

Sorry for all the details I'm just really stressing about this which will probably make it worse ironically

 

[VJ6]

Everything else ok? Ferritin, Vit D? Could also be an episode of Telogen Efflivium.

 

[hoggle]

wait I didn't know zinc would increase DHT? I've been taking 50 mg a day and coincidentally my DHT is that 83% of the range which is a lot higher than it used to be

 

[FilthyFrancis]

Hi Sentry,

You probably aren't active anymore but I am giving it a try.

I am in a situation similar to yours:

• My zinc level is very low (9,31 umol/L) despite a 45 mg daily intake of zinc citrate. The reference range is 9.18 to 18.4 umol/L.
• Everything else seems fine - at reference range average (copper, selenium, vitamin D, vitamin B, ferritin, thyroid).
• I have low gamma GT (9 U/L vs a reference range at [8 - 61] U/L).
• Also had high direct bilirubin (4.9 mg/L vs <3 mg/L as a reference) but I am confident the latter was due to my saw palmetto intake destroying my liver (that I discontinued since).

I am concerned about the zinc situation. Despite high daily intakes, the amount of zinc in my blood remains very low. I started supplementing zinc a month ago, but at least 15 days prior to the blood test. My hair has been shedding for 4 years now, following an unusual pattern: I am shedding everywhere, donor area included (could be DUPA).

It could be that I am unable to properly absorb zinc.

How is it going for you now? Is anyone aware of a way to maximize zinc absorption?

 

[badhabiz]

Hi Sentry,

You probably aren't active anymore but I am giving it a try.

I am in a situation similar to yours:

• My zinc level is very low (9,31 umol/L) despite a 45 mg daily intake of zinc citrate. The reference range is 9.18 to 18.4 umol/L.
• Everything else seems fine - at reference range average (copper, selenium, vitamin D, vitamin B, ferritin, thyroid).
• I have low gamma GT (9 U/L vs a reference range at [8 - 61] U/L).
• Also had high direct bilirubin (4.9 mg/L vs <3 mg/L as a reference) but I am confident the latter was due to my saw palmetto intake destroying my liver (that I discontinued since).

I am concerned about the zinc situation. Despite high daily intakes, the amount of zinc in my blood remains very low. I started supplementing zinc a month ago, but at least 15 days prior to the blood test. My hair has been shedding for 4 years now, following an unusual pattern: I am shedding everywhere, donor area included (could be DUPA).

It could be that I am unable to properly absorb zinc.

How is it going for you now? Is anyone aware of a way to maximize zinc absorption?

what kind of zinc form are you supplementing ?

 

[FilthyFrancis]

what kind of zinc form are you supplementing ?

I take 45 mg of zinc citrate, on a daily basis.

 

[badhabiz]

if i may, you should switch to a more absorbable form, like picolinate or better bislycinate, and considering taking boron (2weeks on 1 off) and copper (4mg every 50mg of zinc) with it.
since you seem not to absorb it, i would suggest a change in your diet.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10801947

"Phytate, which is present in staple foods like cereals, corn and rice, has a strong negative effect on zinc absorption from composite meals."
let me know.

 

[FilthyFrancis]

if i may, you should switch to a more absorbable form, like picolinate or better bislycinate, and considering taking boron (2weeks on 1 off) and copper (4mg every 50mg of zinc) with it.
since you seem not to absorb it, i would suggest a change in your diet.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10801947

"Phytate, which is present in staple foods like cereals, corn and rice, has a strong negative effect on zinc absorption from composite meals."
let me know.

Thanks for your quick reply.

I will switch my zinc supplement to a more absorbable form, as recommended.

Suprisingly, my copper blood level remains completely fine despite the lack of supplement (most likely due to the low level of absorbed zinc).

Never heard about boron supplement. I will do my research on it.

In any case, I sent my blood results to my tricho, who initially asked for the blood test. Will update the thread with his answer.

 

[FilthyFrancis]

"Phytate, which is present in staple foods like cereals, corn and rice, has a strong negative effect on zinc absorption from composite meals."

I am sure my diet plays its bit in this disbalance. However, I have a low-carb diet as I barely eat any cereals. I mostly rely on fruits/veggies and proteins (both animal and vegetarian).

I don't think I have much calcium in my diet either as I don't drink milk or eat yoghurts. I must say I am very keen on cheese though !

 

[FilthyFrancis]

LMAO just figured I was posting in the women section. I am a man.

Sorry for commenting a wrong thread!

 

[berrymany]

there isn't only a zink deficit. the problem is common. The best choice is consultation with specialist

 

[Chrissie123]

Hi Sentry,

You probably aren't active anymore but I am giving it a try.

I am in a situation similar to yours:

• My zinc level is very low (9,31 umol/L) despite a 45 mg daily intake of zinc citrate. The reference range is 9.18 to 18.4 umol/L.
• Everything else seems fine - at reference range average (copper, selenium, vitamin D, vitamin B, ferritin, thyroid).
• I have low gamma GT (9 U/L vs a reference range at [8 - 61] U/L).
• Also had high direct bilirubin (4.9 mg/L vs <3 mg/L as a reference) but I am confident the latter was due to my saw palmetto intake destroying my liver (that I discontinued since).

I am concerned about the zinc situation. Despite high daily intakes, the amount of zinc in my blood remains very low. I started supplementing zinc a month ago, but at least 15 days prior to the blood test. My hair has been shedding for 4 years now, following an unusual pattern: I am shedding everywhere, donor area included (could be DUPA).

It could be that I am unable to properly absorb zinc.

How is it going for you now? Is anyone aware of a way to maximize zinc absorption?

Are you taking it with Vit C?