Female hair loss Post Reply

[teaandbiscuits_]

Hi everyone,
I am posting this under a different name to usual but wondered if anyone might have any tricologist or dermatologist recommendations. My hair has been falling out more than normal for a while, and I recently found out that I have low iron levels, I am pretty sure the two must be linked but I'd really like to see someone about this as it is really getting me down and I guess I'd like to try and get to the bottom of it if possible! I don't really know where to start!

Thank you in advance for any words of wisdom!

[Balhammom]

I can't post right now as I'm about to rush out but I will later or tmorrow

Hope I can help

[Mummy]

Hi

I went/am going through the same thing. Very low iron lovers and lots of shedding. GP gave me iron tablets to take then after a retest iron was at ok level so was not given more tablets.

I gave taken it upon myself to take am iron liquid supplement twice daily, slightly more when I am on my period.

The hair has started to grow but is still shedding. All other levels on blood test were fine. I have also started Biotin supplements which have helped I think to.

Hair is such a personal thing, that can bring yo indies quite quickly,

Get a blood test done and go from there.

Good luck

[2x2]

It's normal after having a baby. You don't loose any during the pregnancy and then it all falls out at once, sometimes a few years later. It's hormonal so not much can be done but then it grows back.

[teaandbiscuits_]

Thank you Mummy! I am going to be taking iron tablets religiously from now on. Think its given me a bit of a wake up call and I need to look after myself a bit more. x

[Mummy]

Apologies for my typing on previous email.

Just to say my youngest is now 5.. I went through the normal pregnancy hair shedding.

This has started in the last 2 years.. Good luck and as I said hair is a very physical personal thing that actually hits you quite hard.

Hope you see some results xxxxx

[dudette]

Iron tablets can be very hard on the stomach. There's a great product called Spatone which is iron rich mineral water and much gentler. You can either buy apple flavour and drink it neat or take it with fruit juice as it disguises the taste and the vitamin C helps the iron absorption. You can buy it in supermarkets.

[PipsandPie]

Hi

Sorry to hear that you are going through this - I have a 12 month baby and had a similar experience that started at c6 months and can understand how distressing it can be - I have also logged in today under a different name.

First things first - there is help out there - although postpartum hair loss is common if you have major concerns go to your GP and get your blood levels tested - anaemia (low iron levels) and low thyroxine levels can both be linked to female hair loss. If your iron levels come back within the normal range and you are still worried ask your GP to get you a dermatologist referral. Luckily I have a fantastic GP and in my case he wrote a referral letter there and then and I am now under the care of a consultant dermatologist at Guy's hospital (can't remember his name at the moment but will check etc). I have only had one appointment and am waiting for the results of further blood tests and hair sampling (where they basically pulled out a few hairs from your scalp to analyse etc). The doctor I saw quizzed me on my diet (how much protein / red meat I ate) / illnesses and possible causes of stresses / whether I was breastfeeding / family history - he also asked questions regarding whether I had noticed hair loss anywhere (arms etc) - aim presumably was to establish whether there may be some additional underlying cause. Re : blood tests - the ones they do in hospital are much more detailed and he told me that even if my iron levels were normal they check for 'inflammatory markers' too as there may be a link with some other underlying cause (infection etc) that manifests itself as a rise in inflammatory markers. I am waiting for my results (follow up appointment next week) but was told that depending on outcome there may be medicines I can take to help if the problem persists - topical minoxidil / oral finasteride etc. Thankfully my hair shedding seems to have slowed down and I am hoping that things may improve soon - not sure what will happen next week but it is reassuring to know that I am being seen by a specialist etc. Really hope everything works out for you - if you want to personal message me feel free. There are also some hair loss concealer products on the market that you could also consider if you feel like you need a little bit of extra confidence - haven't used them myself but products like Toppik powder are supposed to be quite good plus volumising shampoos. Hope some of the feedback provided helps.

[leapyearbaby]

Hi guys. Just to add consider taking folic acid too. I had shedding and very weak nails. Not the post pregnancy kind but a few years on. I had blood tests and had to take iron and folic acid tablets. Megoblastic anaemia.
My nails are brilliant now! Folic acid rocks.
The downside of a folic acid deficiency is it accelerates graying. But I'm pretty full on anyway in that respect. Genes.

When your hair is no longer the crowning glory it was it is hard. I think of it as a hairopause

[emsken]

Philip Kingsley in the west end!

[PipsandPie]

Zinc and iron deficiency! Been put on supplements (phew - big sigh of relief). Please refer to my earlier post - for anyone else with concerns please get yourself referred to a consultant dermatologist - the hospital blood analysis is more detailed and can pick up on deficiencies / conditions not covered in a routine blood sample.