Hair Loss - Louisville,KY

My hair started to fall out a lot more after I had kids. Mine, too, clogs the shower! I am not bald and it has been happening for at least 2 years... if that makes you feel better. I know that stress can cause hair loss, but this sounds like a question for the doctor. With all of the medications you are taking, there might be something there.

I had a real problem with my hair falling out a couple of years ago. The doctor told me I wasn't getting enough protein in my diet. I started eating more chicken and peanut butter. I bought protein bars and snacked on those, It took a couple of weeks but my hair finally quit falling out by the hand fulls.

I think that you answered your own problem. You said that you cut out fried foods. You have to have a certain amount of fat in your diet or your hair will fall out.
If you get too skinny, your periods will stop because women just have to have a certain amount of fat on them.

It can be UNhealthy to be TOO healthy. You have to do it in moderation and be sensible about it.

I had similar problems with hair and energy loss after childbirth. I also got real dry scaly skin, especially on my face, as well. I was diagnosed by my primary doctor and an Endocrinologist with Hypothyroid. The meds they put me on didn't help much after taking for a year. The only thing it helped with a little bit was the dry skin.

Last year, about 4 yrs after childbirth, I finally saw a Natural Path which was 100 X's more beneficial than what any MD did for me. So, I strongly recommend it. If you consider that route, call around to local practitioners. The rates can really vary. A lower rate doesn't they are not as good. The women I saw was very good and wanted to charge a rate that most people could handle, so she reach more clients.

Then I found a Biofeedback Specialist. This route has gotten me down the wellness road even faster for about a forth or less of the cost. We plan, during my next session, to check all my hormones. For I feel something is still out of balance for I'm always tired and still have minimal energy reserve. You can find info about Teresa and Biofeedback at http://www.aquantumoasis.com/?page_id=17.

Good luck. Don't give up. And know that there are options available to help that DON'T require being on a prescription for life, which is likely what an doctor will advice. If you have insurance, you can see a doctor for diagnostic purposes, and listen to their recommendations, without actually taking meds.

I would suggest having your thyroid checked. After my first son (I was about 20) the same thing started happening to me, along with other things, like anxiety, weight loss (or could be weight gain if it hypoactive rather than hyperactive). Hair loss was my first sign though, and since thyroid problems are the most common problem, and most under-diagnosed, it wouldn't hurt to check it. Good luck!

Hi, E.,

I think i may be of some help to you.
You say that you are on birth control. When i was on birth control my hair was falling out just like yours is and my hormones were all over the place. My gyn said that my birth control had too high of a level of testosterone in it. She switched my birth control and the problem corrected itself.
Good luck to you!
B.

Hi E.,

After I had my son, who is now 10, I started losing my hair. I even had a small bald spot on the top of my head.I was tested by the doctor who found out my thyroid was not working at all. He said that was part of the cause of my hair loss so he put me on Synthroid to replace the hormone my thyroid was not producing. It helped. I was also diagnosed with Lupus, which also causes some to lose their hair around this same time. My hairdresser suggested that I start using Pantene "Beautiful Lengths" Shampoo and conditioner and start taking a supplement called Biotin, which you can find in the vitamin section at your store.

I am glad to say that my hair is almost back to where it should be. Of course I had a lot of people praying for me because of this issue. I know those prayers were heard and answered. My daughter donated 16 inches of her hair to "Locks Of Love". She asked me to do the same when my hair is long enough. I am thankful to the Lord to say that I only have 2 more inches to go before I can donate also.

I will be keeping you in my prayers.

Blessings,
N.

Definitely have your thyroid checked out. Most MDs won't check your thyroid antibodies, which if they are high means your body is destroying the thyroid, and is called Hashimoto's. That's what I have, and once I started getting treated for it by a naturopathic physician, my bald spots started filling in. Go figure.

All those suggestions for checking the medical possibilities should be first...but after that - consider the quality of your vitamins. I work for a wellness company and we have proof that most of the multis on the store shelf have less than 10% absorbency! And my hair stylist told me once that shedding like a dog was a natural thing - but...when I switched to all natural shampoo (from the expensive salon stuff I was using, even) - my fall out stopped - never to return.

Just a couple more considerations...
J. B.
www.joyboudreau.com

I had the same thing happen to me two years ago. I was very fortunate that I started out with a good amount of hair. At my worst my husband had to open the trap in the basement and out came tons and tons of hair. I just stared at it and cried!!! Every time I would brush my hair when it was wet I would start sobbing because of the massive amount of hair falling out of my head. You mentioned you are on effexor. Did you have a bout of anxiety and depression? That can cause it to happen. YOu also mentioned you are on lisinopril and BC pills. Do you have polycystic ovarian syndrome. That was what was causing my hair loss. After I got my hormones stabalized it took about six months and my hair grew back. Well not allof it but most of it. Big Hugs to you. I know how bad that sucks!!!

Schedule a complete physical. Hair loss is a symptom of several diseases.

Barbara is right but it could also be caused by too much or too little of other hormones. I would suggest having your thyroid checked. Hair loss is a classic sign of thyroid dysfunction (hyper- and hypo-thyroidism).
Of course stress can contribute to it as well.
Good luck!

It could be the meds you are on but it could be more. Set up an appt with a Dermatologist and she can take a hair and have it tested. There are certain diseases that you lose hair quickly. It may be nothing, I don't want to scare you but it is better to know for sure.

E.:
Not to frighten you, but it could be Alopecia areata. My niece had this and they say it is caused by stress. Her hair started coming out in clumps and then came back in. We thought we were ok and then it all fell out her senior year of high school. You may want to read about alopecia and maybe ask your doctor about it.

Hope this helps.
A.

You might check with your doctor. There can be multiple causes including your BC pills, stress (2 year old), and maybe your thyroid is out of wack. Definitely worth pursuing.

E.,

Check with your pharmacist or physician to see if hair loss is a side effect of one of your medications. This could be a possibility. Also, keep your stress under conrol (easier said than done); but stress can also lead to hair loss.

Hi Dear,
I too l have that problem too.
It could be your thyroid. Go See what your doctor will say.
I take thyroid meds.
I still have a little trouble there. But I am keeping my hair short now.
I also was born March 9,. But I am 57 ha ha

God Bless
Vicki W.

I had this problem and it was my thyroid. First hair loss then really dry skin, i let my thyroid go so long without treatment my feet and legs hurt to the point where i could barely walk. Please have it tested its a simple blood test. I felt better after only a week on my meds.
Hope this helps mell

Hello E. M,

Top of the morning to you.

I had a similar problem it is called 'alopecia'-loss of hair. When you see this word in your side effects medication list, be warned!

I found it in my prescribed anti-inflammatory medicines and for pain medicines. The chemical is Nsaid and Ansaid that leads to hair loss.

Since, I have refused to take such medicines and use an alternative all natural solution.

The next step is to seek a dermatologist to restore your hair loss.

I hope this helps.

D. Friday
###-###-####
____@____.com
Yahoo ID: tracersrus

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getting your hormones checked is your best bet.

It could be a hormone or autoimmune issue. Having babies is hard on your poor body! Ask your PCP if they think your BCP needs to be adjusted, or if you need to see your OBGYN or Endocrinologist. Godd luck girl, I have waist length hair and lots of it fell out when I was pregnant. It's so heavy on my head that it breaks off a lot and makes my head hurt! So, we'll be getting a few inches cut off, soon. That might help, too.

a friends of mine had the same problem....for her it was a result of birth control.

Have you had your thyroid checked ? If it's low it can cause hairloss.

Get your thyroid checked by an ENDOCRINOLOGIST, not your primary or general practitioner. I was 24 when this started happening to me as well. I have hyspothyroidism and have Celiac too. It all got better when I went on Synthroid and Cytomel.

I have lost my hair in the same way as you are discribing more than once. After each child I had and anytime I was under a lot of stress. So much hair feel out it scared me thought for sure I would have nothing left. I could feel the spikes on my scalp where new hair started to grow or it broke off (don't know which). I really dont think it is anything to worry about (although I did lol). My hair is fine now thick and beutiful and I am sure yours will be again too. Good luck and take care.

that happened to me while i was pregnant. It tripped meout. My doctor said that it was related to hormones. That our hair growth is controled by hormones and when we're pregnant all our hormones get out of whack and instead of having a regular cycle of growth and loss, it all falls out at one time and then later willa ll grow back at one time. Maybe yours is dueto the meds mixing with the BC?

If your anemic you can loose your hair. I would talk to your doctor. It could be meds or something else underlying. Good Luck!

The number one cause of hair loss in younger women is hypothyroid. You should go to the Dr. and get a blood test, especially if you've been feeling tired lately. I noticed you're on lisinopril too...your thyroid can impact your BP as well. It's not uncommon for pregnancy and pregnancy related changes to trigger thyroid problems, so get it checked out when you have a chance. Good luck!

Hair loss often occurs when either there is not enough thyroid hormone or maybe the thyroid stimulating hormone. You should go to the dr. and get checked for both -- simple blood test. Good luck!

Are you eating any soy? Have you had your thyroid checked?

When I ate too much soy for awhile it affected by thyroid and my hair. When I stopped, they both eventually recovered.

Check Dr. Mercola's website for why soy is not good for you, except for the fermented kinds.

Good luck!

Hi E.,
I just now got around to catching up on my mamasource emails and noticed your question. It just so happenes that I was recently put on Lisinopril for high blood pressure and because of some issues and side effects I started doing a little research online. One of the things that I found on several different websites and in many of the blogs was that Lisinopril (with the diurect added) can cause hairloss. Some people were saying that they literally thought they were going bald. Luckily I'm no longer on it, but you may want to do a little research yourself and see what you can find out. Just try googling 'lisinopril hair loss'. I had SEVERE hair loss due to hormones after the births of both of my kids, but it seemed to finally taper off after about a year. Unfortunately my hair never fully came back and is still very thin around my hairline with lots of short baby hairs around my forehead! Good Luck!