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Anemia due to heavy period

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kylie71062
kylie71062

I have been severely anemic for over 10 yr. As a result I have many symptoms and side effects due to this. The number 1 problem that has gotten worse is hair loss. My doc thinks thats a possible reason for losing all my hair over the yrs. Recently I decided to take birth control to fix the anemia. I am wondering will fixing the anemia help my hair grow back. If so how long will it take?

0 likes, 17 replies

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  • melissa7143
    melissa7143 kylie71062

    Posted

    How old are you??
    • kylie71062
      kylie71062 melissa7143

      Posted

      I am in my mid 30s and dont have celiac disease. I also was diagnosed with fibroids. I have been prescribed birth control to control the duration and the amount of bleeding I experience every month. My GYN and GP both say that taking iron allow will not allow me to build up enough iron reserves to amount to any sufficient change. I am just wondering how long does it take for iron to come back to normal levels. And whether hair can be regrown when iron is normal again. Or will I be bald from now on?
    • dee53012
      dee53012 kylie71062

      Posted

      I am so grateful to hear you do not have CD, that brings it up another notch of diffecutly.

      As far as your hair comeing back, it depends.  how low the levels are and how well you obsorb the iron and the qualty of the iron. The hair will start growing as soon as you start the healing processes.  

      I saw my ahir growing back in a month or two, little sprouts started popping up.  It was a year befreo I could get a hair cut though because it grew soo slowly. 

      Ask your doc how much and for how long you should be taking the iron. Ive been taking it three times a day for two months, the doc said take it for three month, 3 times a day and then come get retested.  but each individual is differnt. 

      Bes to you

    • maisie05
      maisie05 kylie71062

      Posted

      Have you any hair on your head if you don't mind me asking? Have you seen a hair specialist, is it called trichologist?? They may be able to tell you if it's alopecia or if it's due to low iron and will grow back. The not knowing must be a worry for you.

    • kylie71062
      kylie71062 maisie05

      Posted

      I am in Canada, and the doctors here can be pretty insensitive. I have been complaining about my hair for years, and I have seen half a dozen doc and specialists. Nobody diagnosed me, nobody had a solution. Even now its me guessing and putting information together over the years, that is it due to severely chronic low iron. I have hair, but I have a receding hair line and have to wear a wig to feel remotely comfortable.
    • kylie71062
      kylie71062

      Posted

      And my ferritin is at 7-9 on average.
    • dee53012
      dee53012 kylie71062

      Posted

      this thread is getting long!  you definitely need iron or a transfusion. that is where my numbers where. i was instructed to take 3 (quality) iron a day for 3 months and go back in for a blood draw to test. the low iorn is a symptom of a greater issue. I hope you find someoen who gives a damn.

      btw, rude doctors is a national problem in the US also. i have all but stopped going. 

       

    • maisie05
      maisie05 kylie71062

      Posted

      That is very low, I'm sure in the UK you would be given an intravenous transfusion! You must feel very fatigued. 

      I've just been reading about hair loss on another discussion on this website. People who take the drug Omeprazole for gastric issues have reported hair loss. You don't take this do you? It also inhibits absorption of iron. As I discovered a year or so ago.

      If I were you I would continue taking iron supplements while having a good diet rich in iron and other nutrients until your levels come up, then you will be able to maintain. 

      I really hope the contraceptive pill helps to lessen your blood loss. 

      I feel for you, our hair defines us and helps us feel attractive. Nothing wrong with a little vanity

      Best wishes x

  • maisie05
    maisie05 kylie71062

    Posted

    Hi Kylie

    I've had this problem lots over the years. If you are taking iron pills make sure you take them with orange juice or Vit C to help absorption. Vit B12 helps too. Your hair will grow back stronger once your iron levels are up.

    I have taken silica complex from holland and barret. This definately makes my hair grow faster, I need to visit the hair dresser more often to have my hi lights re done! And my nails grow faster when I'm taking the silica. 

    Biotin is another supplement that claims to help with hair strength and growth. Other ladies on here have used it with success.  It is an ingredient in a multi vit that I currently take.

    Hope you find something to help you. It is awful when you aren't happy with your appearance. Good luck x

    • dee53012
      dee53012 maisie05

      Posted

      Good nutrition will help your whole body more then any suppliment. Our food plates need to be 3/4 veggies, 1/4 meat (or a quality protien). fruit with nuts or seeds for snacks and lots of water or herbal teas. If we have good nutrition and no digestive diseases, you will feel better.  Iron will be necessary to build the iron if it is very low.

      best to you.

    • maisie05
      maisie05 dee53012

      Posted

      Thanks Dee, I appreciate your advice. My iron is low due to heavy periods and fibroids. Tho my last period was June. I'm 57. My last three blood tests have shown ferritin levels of Jan 19, May 18 and Aug 23. Normal range is between 20 - 300. All this year I have been taking an iron supplement. I eat a healthy balanced diet, plenty of iron rich foods and include all the things you suggested. I also enjoy chocolate and wine in moderation!

  • dee53012
    dee53012 kylie71062

    Posted

    Kylie,

    I have been anemic since childhood, it was not from heavy preriods as the docs always wanted to blame it on.  I was later found to have celiac disease. If you have not been tested for it, please do, especailly if you do not know for sure WHY you are anemic. If you have this disease, iron will not help that much unless you change what you put in your mouth.  

    I recommend you talk to the doc; does your doctor know you are taking BC for iron? I am sorry, I missed something here. That makes absolutely NO sense!

    Besides having to eat gluten free for the rest of my life, the doc told me to take 3 iron a day for 3 months and then get retested. You need a good qualtiy iron, not all are the same. Look for thrid party testing and talk to the folks in a health food store as to what is a good one. Don't cheap out on it.  And yes, low iron will make your hair fall out. Low iron is also dangerous for other parts of your body as well as high iron, it is dangerous as well.  It must be evaluated with blood work. 

    I reiterate, birth control will NOT fix the low iron, it will only keep you from getting pregant. 

    best to you,

    D

    • kylie71062
      kylie71062 dee53012

      Posted

      The way I understand it birth control will help reduce the duration and amount of bleeding I get every month. Thats why my GYN and GP have suggested this solution. 
    • dee53012
      dee53012 kylie71062

      Posted

      you will likly still need to take iron until the numbers come up.
  • melissa7143
    melissa7143 kylie71062

    Posted

    So you are not taking any iron at all?? If your levela are low..iron ia very much needed!! I just had what they call an uterial ablation done because my cycles wete very heavy and lasted for about 6 weeks or so..i had to be put in the hospital for blood transfusions i lost so much blood..i also tried bc and it didnt help at all that is why we resorted to the ablation.
    • kylie71062
      kylie71062 melissa7143

      Posted

      I was taking iron for a few months. But it made no difference to my ferritin levels. My GYN explained it in a crude way: "you have a hole in your bucket and you are trying to fill that bucket with water, it will never fill until you block that hole". So right now nobody has said that I should be supplementing with iron now that I have started the pill. So I should ask about continuing to take iron?

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