labellavita1985
Established Member
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Hey guys, just wanted to post this here as I've been hanging around the women's hair loss discussion for some time now and am not getting any
answers.
I'm 29 years old. About 3 months ago, my mom pointed out that my hair looks thinner. Of course, I freaked out and have been trying to find a cause/solution since.
The problem is, it's almost impossible for me to determine the cause of this, even though I think about it, read about it, talk about it, etc 99% of the time. I even dream about it.
So far, I've seen a dermatologist PA, a dermatologist DO (both of them more than once,) a family medicine doctor, a hematologist and a gynecologist. I also have a friend who is an internist (DO) whom I speak to frequently. No one has been able to definitively give me an answer. I've taken three blood tests; the first one just revealing Vitamin D deficiency, and the other one revealing very low ferritin and other iron measure levels. My ferritin level as of one month ago was 6.7. This is considered borderline anemia. For this, I am taking ferrous sulfate 325 mg, 2 tablets twice a day. For the Vitamin D deficiency I am taking 50,000 units D2 once a week.
My second blood test also revealed slightly elevated total testosterone levels. The range is 2-45 and mine is 56. However, according to my research, some labs have this range going up to 60, so my total testosterone, although slightly high, is not too much cause for concern according to my gynecologist, my dermatologist, and internist friend. My free testosterone is well within range as is my DHEA-S.
My parents still have a full head of hair, although my mom's hair has always been on the thin side, but it's not Androgenetic Alopecia because it's been that way her entire life. My father has a receding hairline, which I suspect is normal for his age, but still very thick, dense hair in the back. Paternal grandfather has some balding going on. One aunt may have Androgenetic Alopecia.
I feel it's important to mention that between 6-8 months ago, I did chemically process my hair extensively. Two bleaching sessions (one ombre, one all over highlights) following 3-4 color reversal sessions. My hair had been oversaturated with dark brown permanent hair dye for years, and I wanted it lighter. I think this processing definitely damaged my hair and caused some breakage, but I'm certain now that my hair thinning is well beyond what the chemical damage could have caused.
One month ago I started taking the BCP Yaz, as well as Spironolactone, 25 mg twice a day, in an attempt to bring my testosterone level down. I now take 50 mg spironolactone in the morning and 25 mg at night. I also use Nizoral 2% twice a week, as the dermatologist diagnosed me with "mild" inflammation of the scalp; I think it was seborrheic dermatitis. My scalp is somewhat itchy, but not red at all, it's completely clear, and no flakes visible.
I have several other symptoms of hormone imbalance : I still experience acne and irregular menstruation. However, other symptoms of hormonal imbalance/PCOS like hirsuitism and weight gain are not present. It seems to me that the elevated testosterone is unlikely to be causing my hair loss as hair loss is not nearly as likely to present as a symptom of hormone imbalance/PCOS as weight gain, hirsuitism, infertility, etc. I've talked to a lot of women who have MUCH higher testosterone levels than I do, even they don't have hair loss.
During the months of November-December 2014, my weight was down to about 112 pounds from around 120 due to excessive dieting. Not sure if that is considered "underweight" or not, but the weight loss did occur pretty suddenly. I'm 5'5. My weight went back up pretty quickly, however. When I look back, from September to December, if I had to guess I'd have to say that I was restricting my caloric intake to under 1200 calories a day.
The hematologist, who has been very helpful and is following any and all leads in regards to my overall health and the cause of the hair loss, thinks the weight loss may have triggered the hair loss. Truth is, I have a history of excessive dieting/excessive exercise/disordered eating behaviors, but never have I experienced hair loss before.
I'm taking my ferrous sulfate, Vitamin D, Yaz, Spironolactone, as well as other supplements including garlic, gelatin, biotin, zinc, and fish oil/omega 3. Currently I'm losing about 120 on wash days, and maybe 40-50 on non wash days. I don't know if I just lose a few days worth of hair when I wash it, as I have ceased all styling/manipulation of my hair, in which case, my shedding is at a "normal" level, although I suspect I could be losing more and am just unable to count as I don't see it. Also, I lose shorter hairs, 3-5 inches long, and some hairs look thinner than others. I am certain that I have lost 50% of my volume in the last 6 months.
To be fair, I've always lost a lot of hair, and I can't particularly remember any days in the last 6 months where I felt more than "normal" amounts of hair were lost, except on the days that my hair was bleached. I figured this was due to agitating my hair during the bleaching process, did not alarm me at the time. One day, however, I do remember a co-worker pointing out that the back of my shirt was covered in my hair.
My ferritin level, as of last week is up to 57.8. I'm kind of having a hard time believing this as it seems pre-menopausal women supplement for months to even get a slight increase in their ferritin readings, and mine allegedly went from 6.7 to 57.8 in one month. I wonder what the margin of error is. Is it possible that one or both of these readings is inaccurate?
I feel as though if I could just determine the cause, I would be closer to finding a solution. Is it indicative of anything that the hair loss is completely diffuse? Or, that I don't feel as though I'm losing MUCH more hair than I always have, without thinning hair ever presenting until now? Maybe, I'm not losing more than I always have BUT the hair is just not growing back, as it used to. Or, I did lose a lot several months ago and just didn't notice. Maybe the weight loss, deficiencies, and hormonal imbalance triggered Androgenetic Alopecia? Or, I had Androgenetic Alopecia without realizing it and the medical conditions accelerated it?
I made an appointment to have a scalp biopsy done, but my dermatologist literally refused when I got there. He said I need to wait 6 months to even begin to judge whether my hair is improving or not.
I'm seriously thinking about starting Rogaine, as it is sometimes indicated for even temporary hair loss, which I may have, but what is stopping me is reading accounts of women beginning to use Rogaine and the dread shed never ending, OR the dread shed does end but regrowth doesn't occur, so in both cases these people are worse off than before they used Rogaine. Any thoughts on this? Can Rogaine help while deficiencies are still present?
I know this is a long post, thank you so much for reading and for being here. Any and all feedback would be so very appreciated it. This hair loss journey has completely consumed me, and sometimes I feel hopeless. Any advice regarding a diagnosis would be so helpful, as truly, not knowing where to start because I don't know what is causing it is the worst part right now.
answers.
I'm 29 years old. About 3 months ago, my mom pointed out that my hair looks thinner. Of course, I freaked out and have been trying to find a cause/solution since.
The problem is, it's almost impossible for me to determine the cause of this, even though I think about it, read about it, talk about it, etc 99% of the time. I even dream about it.
So far, I've seen a dermatologist PA, a dermatologist DO (both of them more than once,) a family medicine doctor, a hematologist and a gynecologist. I also have a friend who is an internist (DO) whom I speak to frequently. No one has been able to definitively give me an answer. I've taken three blood tests; the first one just revealing Vitamin D deficiency, and the other one revealing very low ferritin and other iron measure levels. My ferritin level as of one month ago was 6.7. This is considered borderline anemia. For this, I am taking ferrous sulfate 325 mg, 2 tablets twice a day. For the Vitamin D deficiency I am taking 50,000 units D2 once a week.
My second blood test also revealed slightly elevated total testosterone levels. The range is 2-45 and mine is 56. However, according to my research, some labs have this range going up to 60, so my total testosterone, although slightly high, is not too much cause for concern according to my gynecologist, my dermatologist, and internist friend. My free testosterone is well within range as is my DHEA-S.
My parents still have a full head of hair, although my mom's hair has always been on the thin side, but it's not Androgenetic Alopecia because it's been that way her entire life. My father has a receding hairline, which I suspect is normal for his age, but still very thick, dense hair in the back. Paternal grandfather has some balding going on. One aunt may have Androgenetic Alopecia.
I feel it's important to mention that between 6-8 months ago, I did chemically process my hair extensively. Two bleaching sessions (one ombre, one all over highlights) following 3-4 color reversal sessions. My hair had been oversaturated with dark brown permanent hair dye for years, and I wanted it lighter. I think this processing definitely damaged my hair and caused some breakage, but I'm certain now that my hair thinning is well beyond what the chemical damage could have caused.
One month ago I started taking the BCP Yaz, as well as Spironolactone, 25 mg twice a day, in an attempt to bring my testosterone level down. I now take 50 mg spironolactone in the morning and 25 mg at night. I also use Nizoral 2% twice a week, as the dermatologist diagnosed me with "mild" inflammation of the scalp; I think it was seborrheic dermatitis. My scalp is somewhat itchy, but not red at all, it's completely clear, and no flakes visible.
I have several other symptoms of hormone imbalance : I still experience acne and irregular menstruation. However, other symptoms of hormonal imbalance/PCOS like hirsuitism and weight gain are not present. It seems to me that the elevated testosterone is unlikely to be causing my hair loss as hair loss is not nearly as likely to present as a symptom of hormone imbalance/PCOS as weight gain, hirsuitism, infertility, etc. I've talked to a lot of women who have MUCH higher testosterone levels than I do, even they don't have hair loss.
During the months of November-December 2014, my weight was down to about 112 pounds from around 120 due to excessive dieting. Not sure if that is considered "underweight" or not, but the weight loss did occur pretty suddenly. I'm 5'5. My weight went back up pretty quickly, however. When I look back, from September to December, if I had to guess I'd have to say that I was restricting my caloric intake to under 1200 calories a day.
The hematologist, who has been very helpful and is following any and all leads in regards to my overall health and the cause of the hair loss, thinks the weight loss may have triggered the hair loss. Truth is, I have a history of excessive dieting/excessive exercise/disordered eating behaviors, but never have I experienced hair loss before.
I'm taking my ferrous sulfate, Vitamin D, Yaz, Spironolactone, as well as other supplements including garlic, gelatin, biotin, zinc, and fish oil/omega 3. Currently I'm losing about 120 on wash days, and maybe 40-50 on non wash days. I don't know if I just lose a few days worth of hair when I wash it, as I have ceased all styling/manipulation of my hair, in which case, my shedding is at a "normal" level, although I suspect I could be losing more and am just unable to count as I don't see it. Also, I lose shorter hairs, 3-5 inches long, and some hairs look thinner than others. I am certain that I have lost 50% of my volume in the last 6 months.
To be fair, I've always lost a lot of hair, and I can't particularly remember any days in the last 6 months where I felt more than "normal" amounts of hair were lost, except on the days that my hair was bleached. I figured this was due to agitating my hair during the bleaching process, did not alarm me at the time. One day, however, I do remember a co-worker pointing out that the back of my shirt was covered in my hair.
My ferritin level, as of last week is up to 57.8. I'm kind of having a hard time believing this as it seems pre-menopausal women supplement for months to even get a slight increase in their ferritin readings, and mine allegedly went from 6.7 to 57.8 in one month. I wonder what the margin of error is. Is it possible that one or both of these readings is inaccurate?
I feel as though if I could just determine the cause, I would be closer to finding a solution. Is it indicative of anything that the hair loss is completely diffuse? Or, that I don't feel as though I'm losing MUCH more hair than I always have, without thinning hair ever presenting until now? Maybe, I'm not losing more than I always have BUT the hair is just not growing back, as it used to. Or, I did lose a lot several months ago and just didn't notice. Maybe the weight loss, deficiencies, and hormonal imbalance triggered Androgenetic Alopecia? Or, I had Androgenetic Alopecia without realizing it and the medical conditions accelerated it?
I made an appointment to have a scalp biopsy done, but my dermatologist literally refused when I got there. He said I need to wait 6 months to even begin to judge whether my hair is improving or not.
I'm seriously thinking about starting Rogaine, as it is sometimes indicated for even temporary hair loss, which I may have, but what is stopping me is reading accounts of women beginning to use Rogaine and the dread shed never ending, OR the dread shed does end but regrowth doesn't occur, so in both cases these people are worse off than before they used Rogaine. Any thoughts on this? Can Rogaine help while deficiencies are still present?
I know this is a long post, thank you so much for reading and for being here. Any and all feedback would be so very appreciated it. This hair loss journey has completely consumed me, and sometimes I feel hopeless. Any advice regarding a diagnosis would be so helpful, as truly, not knowing where to start because I don't know what is causing it is the worst part right now.
