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Severe Hair Loss

Posted , 12 users are following.

Highlands51
Highlands51

Hello,

I am new to these forums. I found this site today, really helpful.

It is extremely interesting to read about your experiences with peri/meno!

I confess that I thought I might just scrape through without too many problems.  I talked to one lady who had absolutely no symptoms and was fine, to others who all mention hair loss, quite a few.

I am nearing my 52nd birthday, and since turning 50 I have noticed that may hair has just thinned out so much and with it my confidence.  It is bad;  I just don't recognise myself anymore...

Sunken eyes, dark circles, thin greying hair I look awful and somedays I just feel so weak.

Lately  I felt such pain and tighness in front on neck with some swelling and I fear my thyroid may be going awol, if not gone.

My skin is dry and I am cold.

Can anyone relate to these symptoms? Sorry my brain is foggy today hence meadnering  post here.

I do feel desperate as hair loss is just something else, when I wash it out it comes in strands and when I try and dry it is eveyrwhere, I get so weary clearing up bathroom afterwards...strange thing is I can't cry about it or get too depressed about it, just seems pointless,but I feel helpless, particulary about tightness and pain around throat area it;s a misery!

I could scream!  Does anyone have any ideas?  What should I do, GP won't listen and I am fedup of visiting them.

PS. My white cell count is very low and I wonder about this?

Sorry heavy first post I know, but just curious about your similar experiences or any ideas...thank you for reading! (off day today and can't string a sentence together!)

0 likes, 37 replies

37 Replies

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  • joy90635
    joy90635 Highlands51

    Posted

    Hi, reading your posts reminds me of the problems I have had. My hair was thinning so badly. I had weight gain, fatigue and loads of problems with irregular heavy periods. Was eventually diagnosed with a struggling thyroid, very low ferritin levels (iron) and start of memopause. 

    Thankfully because my symptoms were so severe even though I was at lower end of normal range my gp put me on low dose of thyroxine which was also suggested by specialist.

    Specialist said your ferritin level needs to be over 70 or 80 for hair growth. If your thyroid level is at the lower end of nornal this won't help your hair either. Basically everything will struggle. I also became very breathless when my ferritin iron level was low and also had terrible brain fog. 

    I would suggest to gp that seeing a dermatologist re your hair would be a good idea and would help your gp too. Also ask for a print out of your blood results but you must have the ranges to be able to see yourself where you sit in the range either low, middle etc.

    I have just started to take Vit B6 and feel a lot better. Today started B12 as well. 

    I still am not 100% sure which of the two conditions has caused mine as both started at the same time. I personally think it's both of them if that makes sense. 

    I really do understand your worry. I try not to worry but it's really hard.

    I

    • Highlands51
      Highlands51 joy90635

      Posted

      I do feel for you Joy, are you getting any better?  I know exactly what you mean, it is so hard not to worry.  I have a feeling my ferritin levels are low too, could not say how bad.

      I hate to say it, but I just think it possibly could be your oestrogen levels that are high, but I really don't know.  It is so much more than just 1 hormone;  I read and the more I read the less I think I really know if that makes sense.

      Thank you for your suggestions, I will go back and request some blood tests, just see if I can be referred to a dematologist, good idea. 

      yes it is helpful having blood tests printed out.

      I hope B12 will help you and that they will monitor you well on thyroxine.

      Thank you.

    • joy90635
      joy90635 Highlands51

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply. I really feel that a dermatologist is your way forward. When I saw one she agreed that ferritin too low and thyroid struggling. Told her that I had been saying to my gp for 8 months that I had underactive thyroid, but because TSH was in normal range,although lower end of normal that they wouldnt do anything. I said that they should stop worrying about the range and concentrate in all the symptoms. The consultant agreed with me. Once she put her report in writing to gp they then started to act. 

      I hope u get on well going back to gp and would love to keep in contact for support on those days when we need it. You can private message any time. I hope I can support you. Xx 

  • middlemuddle
    middlemuddle Highlands51

    Posted

    I think as you mention the problems are so often a combination of things, one thing low has a knock on effect on others.  There is a very good book, screaming to be heard, which I'll add to the book thread.  The author is quite pro HRT but there are lots of good explanations about how all the hormones interact etc.  It is heavy going in places if your chemistry skills are lacking like mine but aids understanding.

    I think it is wonderful that we all have each other to bounce ideas off and give support, so much more than we are likely to get from the medical profession.

    • joy90635
      joy90635 middlemuddle

      Posted

      Totally agree with you middle muddle about one thing knocking another out. That's why I have just had bloods done to check my B12 and zinc and magnesium. I still feel that I have more deficiency somewhere that hasnt been uncovered  yet. The trouble is that GP"s can start to think that you r over thinking your whole situation, but they r not the ones that day after day can see and feel your hair shedding. I can feel mine when it's doing it. I get a tingling/ pinging sensation on my scalp. I would love to know which one has caused mine, but I am not very hopeful that this will happen. 

      It's really nice like you say to support each other. 

    • jayneejay
      jayneejay joy90635

      Posted

      Hi Joy 

      i hope you get some answers 

      since i restarted my Kelp 1000mg my hair loss has almost stopped again.

      this morning i washed hair and so nice not to see clumps coming out.

      i have almost finished the bottle of Kelp 1000mg x 90 from simply supplements it is high stregth .. and in that time my hair has improved no end. 

      i used kelp last time this started and took it for years, no hair loss, then when i stopped taking it a year ago my hair just starting shedding again ..

      until it got scary .. and again i took kelp and hardly any hair in plus hole or in my brush now .yippeee.. it works for me kelp 

      jay x

    • jayneejay
      jayneejay

      Posted

      Dohhh

      i meant to say Plug Hole .. ( not plus hole 😳) 

      jay 

    • joy90635
      joy90635 jayneejay

      Posted

      Oh that made me laugh Jay 😀. Just done a previous reply but somehow lost it. When in chemist getting Vit B6 & B12 I took a look at everything else on shelf and was trying to remember all the ones that you said had helped you. I looked at kelp but I don't think I can take it because of being on thyroxine. 

      I am willing to try anything to stop the shedding. I can now see the top of my ears it's got so bad. 

      Thanks again for you help.

      Joy x 

    • jayneejay
      jayneejay joy90635

      Posted

      Hi Joy

      no you cant take kelp with thyroxin.

      my ferritin always been okay blood tests .. but i saw a doc a while ago and even though my ferritin okay he said your hands are cold and i said i get cold feet too in winter and especially before marriage 😀

      so he suggested Kelp and had me take my temp every morning before getting up and the idoine home test on the arm 😳

      thought blimey whats he on about ... hahahahaha

      my mum has under active thyroid and on thyroxin so i have my bloods done annually to check the lot .. 

      infact that reminds me I am due some more .. been just over a year..

      jay x

       

    • jayneejay
      jayneejay

      Posted

      you can do a home test like he showed me 

      put iodine ( betadine) on your arm in the crease and it all to do with how quick it absorbs in the skin..

      last time i did it my arm guzzled it in.. 😳 gone ..

      yet my bloods ferritin are always okay..

      jay x

    • jayneejay
      jayneejay

      Posted

      heres some info 

      incase you think i have lost the plot 😀

      Simple self-test for iodine deficiency:

      To check whether you have enough iodine on board, you can try this safe self-test at home.

      Simply dip a clean ball of cotton in inexpensive red-tinged USP tincture of iodine from any drugstore. like Betadine etc ..

      Paint a 2-inch circle of tincture of iodine on soft skin tissue, such as the inner arm or thigh.

      Now wait – if the yellow-orange stain takes more than 6 hours to disappear, you are likely to be replete with iodine. If the stain is absorbed quickly (within 1–3 hours), your body may need a higher iodine intake.

    • jayneejay
      jayneejay

      Posted

      I did my last idodine tincture test in the summer when i wasnt taking Kelp

      and mine vanished straight away into my skin..

      so another reason for the restarting kelp 1000mg for me 

      jay x

    • jayneejay
      jayneejay joy90635

      Posted

      Joy 

      do you take Chelated Magnesium ? 

      i take Solgar Chelated Magnesium ( bisglycinate) 400mg 

      not magnesium oxide or citrate as thats laxative effect 

      also i take Natecal ( Vit D3 and Calcium) for bones etc 

      and loads more 

      jay x

    • jayneejay
      jayneejay

      Posted

      Chelated magnesium = ( Bisglycinate ) magnesium 

      useful magnesium  info .... 

      i take Solgar Chaleted ( Bisglycinate) Magnesium 400mg

      Magnesium bisglycinate is an essential mineral needed for more than 300 enzymatic reactions in the body.

      This mineral is required for the formation of healthy bones and teeth, protein and fatty acid formation, activating B vitamins, supporting muscle activity, nerve transmission, relaxing blood vessels, clotting blood, temperature regulation and ensuring intestinal mobility also called bowel movements. 

      Magnesium bisglycinate is magnesium bound to the amino acid glycine. This binding makes the magnesium highly absorbable.

      For example you would have to take 4 times the amount of magnesium citrate to get the equivalent amount of magnesium bisglycinate.

      The bisglycinate form of magnesium does not require stomach acid for absorption as it passes into the cell via its amino acid transport which means even those with poor digestion or absorption get the benefits.

      Magnesium bisglycinate is the only magnesium shown to cross the blood brain barrier which makes it an excellent choice for aiding those with depression and/or anxiety, or migraine headaches. 

      Stress of all types including chemical, emotional, hormonal or physical stress depletes magnesium from the body.

      Since magnesium relaxes muscles and nerves, more magnesium is needed when you are under stress.

      When we are under stress our adrenal glands produce cortisol which further increases acidity in the body thereby increasing the need for even more magnesium. 

      Because magnesium is required in the metabolism of estrogen in the body, low levels of magnesium increases estrogen leading to estrogen dominance. Symptoms of too much estrogen include premenstrual breast and uterine pain, headaches, backaches, premenstrual depression and mood swings. Women on the birth control pill or hormone replacement therapy also become deficient in magnesium as the drugs deplete magnesium.

      Anyone with an estrogen dominant condition like endometriosis, PMS, fibroids, ovarian cysts, period problems or breast cysts need magnesium bisglycinate.

      Interestingly, many women crave chocolate during their premenstrual and menstrual period. Chocolate is high in magnesium! 

      Magnesium deficiency is common due to our consumption of processed foods and the depletion of magnesium from agricultural soils and water.

      Magnesium supplementation can help with many conditions from high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat or heart palpitations, to insomnia, anxiety and depression to fibromyalgia, osteoporosis and leg cramps at night or following exercise.

       Always make sure when you are purchasing minerals that the label states whether or not the dosage is in its elemental value. This tells you if you are getting exactly what you are paying for. 

      Which Magnesium Is Best?

      Magnesium oxide and citrates are laxatives causing diarrhea and they are poorly absorbed.

      Magnesium bisglycinate is much better absorbed and it does not cause diarrhea.

      Magnesium bisglycinate is four times more effective than citrate forms of magnesium

    • joy90635
      joy90635 jayneejay

      Posted

      Yes thanks Jay. I am on to this thanks to your posts. Had bloods done on wed to check for B12 level. Asked for Vit B6 level to be done but was told that this is not checked on NHS. Also having checked magnesium and zinc as well as full blood count. Glucose, renal profile,folate, ferritin, prolactin, thyroid ..... Phew. I see gp next week. I have not had magnesium checked before. GP would do vit D level again as done in July and was in range then.

      Thought my writing everything else out may help others. Xx

    • jayneejay
      jayneejay joy90635

      Posted

      Hi Joy

      yes you can have B12 serum checked .. but not if your taking B12 already that has to be stopped a month before .. for a true result ..

      i take B6 as it helps anyway, same for all the others i take..

      i have B12 injections fortnightly ..

      i just get full bloods for the general, Liver Function, Thyroid, Glucose, chlorestrol, Ferritin, etc ..

      i just take my vits and minerals anyway... they seem to suit my needs ..

      and being post meno and crying out for supplements for functioning 😃

      good luck Joy

      jay x

       

    • abby57911
      abby57911 joy90635

      Posted

      Hi joy! I came across

      Your post as I am suffering from hairloss terribly. Did you ever find a cure? Please send me some hope x

    • patti333
      patti333 jayneejay

      Posted

      I just read a thread from a year or so ago about magnesium bisglycinate.  Where are some places I can get it as my local pharmacists don't seem to know about this type of magnesium.  I have a heart condition call Prolonged QT Syndrome and when my magnesium level dropped to about 1.2 my defibrillator began to fire (which of course saves my life).  I'm currently taking magnesium oxide (200 MG a day) and that has put my level back to about 1.8 to 2.0. 

      I've heard that the gel form of magnesium would be good but nobody seems to have much information about this.

      I've also started to have noticable hair loss since beginning this high dosage of magnesium and wondered if this could be why.  The only other medication I started taking to help with the gurgling stomach was Sacchromyces. 

      Any ideas or suggestions?  I always run things by my cardiologist before beginning any new medications, even supplements as so many things can cause problems for my heart disease.

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