Hair Loss - Spokane, WA

Definitely get a second medical opinion! I just discovered I am hypothyroid, and one symptom is hair loss. While I had no great loss on my head, I did notice I was not having to shave my legs but about once every two months (nice, but strange!) I also have gained weight and am very tired, which I attributed to having kids. My doctor diagnosed me a subclinically hypothyroid, which means the hormone levels and lab values are out of whack, but not so out of whack that they feel it necessary to do much about it - on some people it will get worse until you are full-blown hypothyroid, and some people not. I had to push to get meds. So while it may NOT be this, it is possible as well. Every doctor is different as to what they will consider an abnormal lab value/hormone level.

It could be medical or just stress. Hopefully she'll find a doctor who will take her seriously and find out why. I have thin hair, very thin. I lose it when under stress and when taking certain medications. As of now I take Biotin supplement once day. It seems to help my hair, I don't have as many strands coming out after the shower, or when I brush/run my fingers thru my hair. For only being 31, I want to keep as much as I can! :) But most definatly she should find a good doc.

Has she been tested for anemia? I would imagine with all the blood tests they would but you never know. Hair loss can be associated with low iron.

Howdy A., I too am in the medical field. Have your sister go to a naturepathic doc and get a saliva test. They send it to Kent Wa where they do a very extensive panel test. It is so much more accurate then the blood test on the thyroid. All my test were the same as your sisters with just the blood test. But the salvia test came back that YES it was my thyroid. My T3 an T4 and THS was way off. She put me on natural meds. It took about 6 months to get the right combination but it worked. Harmones is usually why hair falls out and lack of the right vitmains. Her fatigue, weight all has to do about the imbalance in her system. I have sent several clients to this place in Kent and it has really helped all of them. Check it out and let me know what you think. Another idea is to check out this web page. www.joannaandken.stemtechbiz.com it is about stemcell replacement to help the body heal from the inside out with your own stem cells. Your own stemcells replace and rebuild all that you have going wrong in your system. The thyroid is one thing that can repair if it is not working right for whatever reason. Have her check it out to. By the way, I am off all my medications due to this product. Even the thyroid. But I was on meds for it since 2002. In one month I am off everything. Blood pressure pills, thyroid pills, harmones pills and water pills..the body will heal itself if given the tools to repair itself from inside out...hope this will help your sister get on the right road to health...don't let her do nothing..it is important she bites this in the butt now or it could cause other health problems later...J. McCrite

The differential of hair loss includes:

ALOPECIA AREATA - an autoimmune reaction to hair follicles. The diagnosis is made on the pattern of hair loss, such as smooth patches with short, broken-off hairs around the borders. Biopsy (the removal of a sample of tissue for study) is usually not necessary. Alopecia areata is a skin condition that causes the sudden loss of patches of hair on the scalp and sometimes other parts of the body. It is nonscarring, which means that there is no permanent damage to the hair follicle. In most patients, new hair eventually grows back in the affected areas, although this process can take months. Approximately 80 percent of people with mild alopecia areata recover within a year; however, the majority will experience more than one episode during their lifetime. There are treatments available (from creams to steroid injections) to speed hair regrowth and can be given at a dermatologists office. Other conditions may be associated with alopecia areata; these include vitiligo (a pigmentation disorder that causes patchy whitening of the skin), thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland), and pernicious anemia (a decrease in the number of red blood cells due to a vitamin B12 deficiency). Patients diagnosed with alopecia areata should be screened for these. More info at www.naaf.org

TINEA CAPTITIS — Tinea capitis is a fungal infection that causes itching, scaling, and irritation of the scalp, as well as breakage of the scalp hairs. The patches of hair loss in alopecia areata are distinguished from tinea by the smooth appearance and lack of scaling.

TRICHOTILLOMANIA — A small percentage of the population is affected by trichotillomania, or compulsive hair pulling. This produces areas of broken hairs of varying length; the resulting patches have a rough feel compared to the smooth patches of hair loss in alopecia areata. Obiviously your sister would know if this was the cause.

CICATRICAL ALOPECIA — Cicatricial alopecia, or scarring hair loss, can be caused by a number of rare disorders. In cicatricial alopecia, the hair follicle is permanently destroyed and replaced with scar tissue, so the hair cannot grow back.

TELOGEN EFFLUVIUM — Telogen effluvium is the most common cause of diffuse hair loss. The disease results in reversible diffuse loss of mature, terminal hairs, usually following a significant stressful event. Common triggers include pregnancy, severe weight loss (including with dieting), major illnesses and surgery, and traumatic psychological events.

ANDROGENETIC ALOPECIA — The most common type of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia, or "male pattern baldness". This condition involves a gradual thinning of the hair, rather than the sudden and patchy hair loss characteristic of alopecia areata. This is the most common cause of hairloss, and affects up to 40% of men and women. Women usually start hair loss before 40, and worsens after menopause. Although most women with androgenetic alopecia are endocrinologically normal, many have signs of androgen excess, such as menstrual irregularities, acne, excessive hair growth on face, or other signs of virilization. Given the frequency with which androgenetic alopecia occurs in women, an extensive hormonal evaluation is not necessary unless one of these signs or symptoms of androgen excess are present. Laboratory tests in women with suspected androgen excess should include total testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), and prolactin levels.

Hope this helps, in the meantime, I would recommend your sister see a dermatologist in her area.

M. M, MD

It's totally time for her to get a new doctor!! We shouldn't have to tell our doctors what tests to run, right? The doc should be trying to figure out the problem, not keep telling her that she doesn't have a problem. I agree with several of the other posters, that it sounds like it could be some sort of deficiency. I imagine that she would have better luck by seeing a Naturopathic Doctor (ND) or a Nutritional Therapist--anyone really who can listen and who wants to help. Good luck to her and kudos to you for helping her out!

Clinical normal doesn't mean that her thyriod levels are normal for her. You might suggest that she looks into taking sselenium, kelp, and tyrosine. I have low thyriod and though my hair isn't as thick as it was before my thyriod became low it is thinker then when I first started taking them and I don't have any more fatigue and I am no where as moodly as before taking them.

after my dad died my brother and I both came down with "stress induced alopetia" Not sure of the spelling. In other words we were so over done emotionally and physically our har started to fall out. One we slowed down and took better care of ourselves it came back. sounds like she is really busy and might need to slow down some how.

It's great news her thyroid levels are with normal range. Stress can cause hair loss as well as low levels of iron. A good multi-vitamin with iron and vitamin D. Could be her hormones. Women who are approaching or are in menopause notice their hair thinning. Working with middle school kids all day long, papers to grade, lessons to be planned, 2 active girls, a household to run.... stress, baby, stress. Make a playdate for you and her once every 3 weeks. On a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. You make the appointment for the two of you to do something for yourselves, a walk around Green Lake (if you live in Seattle), a good movie, a massage, go for a drive to Mt. Vernon and tip toe thru the tulips, take a healthy picnic lunch. Give her (and you) some time to decompress and breathe. If the problem persists, see a dermatologist.

Hello. I just have a quick thought, has she tested her mercury levels? This can be done with a blood test (I had mine tested from hair.) If her regular doctor won't do it, she should find a naturopath or lab that will. Mercury toxicity is associated with hair loss, fatigue, muscle aches, and memory loss. Good luck.

A.,
I went through almost a year of being checked for thyroid before the doctor (regular doctor said something was wrong).
Go to an endocronoligist they know and specialize in thyroid and diabetes. After children women need to be tested for the thyroid, (at least that is what I have been told).
I have a big family and 10 of the 11 have some form of thyroid problems and yet doctors didn't want to do anything because the test came out in between the normal bla bla bla.
Also note, most doctors, not specialist don't want to ever put anyone on anything more then .2 mgs, and because of that, I haven't been able to get mine regulated because my body has become use to the small amounts. I was working out 2 hours a day, sometime walking 12 miles in a day at least once a week, and I gained weight, I know muscle weighs more then fat and all but please, six days a week 2 hours a day and taking in 14oo calories on top of that trust me I charted every calorie and every food I put in my mouth, for a year and I gained 9 lbs??? The endocronoligist put me on .300 mg, up from the .200 I had been on for three years, and I haven't really exercised in awhile, mainly because I had a surgery and that flu, but bottom line, I am still in pants that I wore 10 years ago, and I think my hair is getting thicker again, and I don't notice so much in the hair brush (which I too had a hairdresser show me, the section of my hair where there was nothing, and my hair is thick!!
Stay on it it is worth it to see the specialist find one that will listen, your sister may need to do her homework but there is someone out there that will take the time to work with her.

She might be having a vitamin deficiency or having an immune system problem. With hair falling out? I wonder if she was exposed to some toxin in her environment. If I were her I would go to a naturopath. They have helped me countless times - through chronic fatigue - which mine is now manageable. I can even work out now - I couldn't for 12 years. There are thyroid tests that MDs don't usually do that find out other things.

Hi A.,

I had this problem a year or two ago. It turns out that my ferritin levels were really low. A test for normal blood iron levels won't show it - this is not anemia. Ferritin is the form of iron that aids in red blood cell production. She should have this tested. The treatment is somewhat high doses of elemental iron - I don't think regular iron supplements do the trick.

I hope this helps!
K.

First and foremost stress can cause the body to breakdown thus causing a lot of endocrine problems. What happens is the stress will effect the fast growing cells first ie: hair follicles, intestinal flora, and so on. It is almost like how chemo effects the body. Find that source of the stress and get rid of it. There is nothing more important than your health. Second I would get a good Endocrinologist because they can do more of a workup on your panels that your typical primary usually doesn't think of. Hormone imbalance could be happening. There is more than T3 and T4 levels. The saliva test sounds great. I think the endo is a great place to start. Also from my experience when people start dieting or going on diet supplements, substituting for food the body reacts with hair loss. Check the blood ferritin levels too. Good luck!!

Does your sister by any chance have the Mirena IUD? I had one for two years and had pretty bad hair loss on the top of my head, also with normal thyroid tests, until I had it taken out then my hair grew back.

Just thought I'd mention that in case your sister has the Mirena.

Beth

I cannot say for sure about the hair loss... but I have what a thyroid condition that went undetected for many many years because according to doctors test I was within the normal range. I also could not concieve after going off the pill. I went to see Dr. Levin at the Gateway Womens clinic who was treating a friend who had thyroid cancer and she was soooo helpful. I take a very small amount of meds and it is exactly what I needed (and now have a 2 year old). I go back for regular tests and I am so glad that she disregarded my borderline normalcy and helped me out.

I would suggest a second oppinion with another doctor or even natropath.

Hi A.. Did your sister get tested for Hashimoto's, an autoimmune thyroid disease? I have this along with hair loss, even tho my other thyroid tests came back "normal". Finding a good endocrinologist helped with more sensitive testing and treatment. I have gotten good results with topical minoxidil to regrow my hair.

The hair loss could also be due to a hormonal imbalance, stress in her life, problems with her adrenal glands, or something called PCOS. PCOS often causes irregular periods, facial hair growth, head-hair loss or scalp sensitivity, insulin resistance (pre-diabetes), premature graying, weight gain around the tummy, and only sometimes cysts on the ovaries. If she can't get her doctor to test for this, she might want to see an endocrinologist.

My sister had just this exact same thing, before and after her 3rd child. It came with horrible headaches,as well as the fatigue and some other symptoms, and she often had to lay down for hours during the day.

It took a while with many red herrings to find out that it was simply protein deficiency. Your sister may want to consult a nutritionist and have an analysis done on her diet. She is vegetarian, and had been for years, but the problems started when she stopped drinking milk, which she'd drank a lot of previously. She did not realize it was her primary source of protein, and did not get another protein source into her diet.

I also used to be pure vegetarian, but also was diagnosed with protein deficiency, and started eating fish. Contrary to what a lot of vegetarians tell you, it is difficult to eat the amount of vegetarian protein a person needs to thrive. It is a huge amount. That's why I started eating fish regularly, and it helped immensely.

Good luck!

Please tell your sister to push for an endocrinologist. My thyroid has been out of whack for several years and just recently my chiropractor noticed that I was having some outer symptoms, and I was telling her about my inner problems (weight gain, tired all the time) and she suggested going to see an endocrinologist to get some serious testing on my hormones. Unfortunately, my husband lost his job right after that, so we are pretty much paying out of pocket for any sort of insurance until he gets another job. As soon as that happens, I will be pushing to see a specialist. You can be in the "normal" range, but how do they know it is normal for you????????? This is as per my awesome chiropractor.

When my girlfriend went on a gluten free diet, she was amazed that the hair loss stopped. she had to buy special shampoo's & other stuff. I think it's called "alopecia", but that just means hair loss to my knowledge, (I don't get to diagnose either, I'm just a massage therapist) but I would look at food allergies, & try a different doctor. When they blow off a patients concerns, That's a warning sign that they are putting their ego over the care of the patient. a bad combo.

A.

All of the suggestions so far have been great. I have been dealing with hair loss off & on for years. It is sooo miserable. It totally destroys your ego and is super depressing. It really sounds like her thyroid is ok. But there are lots of things that can cause hair loss. The first thing that comes to mind is that in addition to being checked for anemia, it might be a good idea to have her ferritin level checked. Ferritin indicates the iron stores in your body. It is what gets low before you become officially anemic. If your iron stores are low it can cause hair loss, even though you aren't officially anemic. The only other thing I can think of is hypo-pituitarism. Where you pituitary gland isn't functioning correctly. That causes hair loss too. The other thing worth mentioning is that once this happens to your once it is more likely to happen again. My problems started with thyroid disease and ever since then, even though my thyroid levels are under control, any time any sort of hormonal change happens in my body my hair falls out. It's a pain. I totally sympathize, and really hope some one figures this out for her. One last thought... if she is feeling un-well have her keep going to doctors and keep trying to find some one who can figure this out. My thyroid made me sick for 5 years before they finally figured out what the problem was. The doctors kept telling me I was depressed. No kidding! i was totally sick.

Hi, off hand my first thought is stress, and if not stress then early menopause (I’m by no means an expert though).

Stress can do a number on our bodies. One of my sisters (age 30 with 2 kids) is a hairdresser and a few years ago she was in a very hostile relationship and had a lot going. In addition to being tired due to the fact that she was a single mom juggling school, work, motherhood AND her challenging relationship, she slowly became less active and gained some weight. She started losing her hair in fistfuls (at first it was quarter sized patches). She naturally has really thick hair but it got so bad that she went from shoulder length hair to a short bob so that she could try and cover her bald spots.

She started using a product called Nioxin that helped her with her hair loss (they have a chemically treated line and "normal" hair line), but in my opinion the biggest help was her being able to reduce the stresses in her life.

So, I recommend that you have your sister try Nioxin, see if that helps (it’s a once a week treatment not everyday). I'm not sure how often she washes her hair, but if she isn’t already doing this, tell her to try washing her hair less (like every other day or every two days), if she can. That may help some of her natural scalp oils hopefully try and replenish her hair/scalp health. MOST IMPORTANTLY have her watch her stress levels, are money, the kids, work, or even friendships/familial relationships causing her any undue stress?

Good Luck, I hope this helps and please let me know if you have more questions, my sister had a tough time with this for quite some time and I am happy to say she has a thick head of hair and is doing much much better (it took her about 6 months to really start getting back to normal), so I am sure she would be happy to give you and your sis more tips.

BTW- I have used Nioxin for general scalp health as needed for the past 3 years, it helped me with my dry scalp a few years ago.

Hello,
My mom (57) was having similar problems with hair loss starting several years ago. She went to her dermatologist and was diagnosed with alopecia (sp?). Your sister may want to try a trusted dermatologist.

I completely agree with Joannie M. I've been seeing a naturopath now for about 3 months. My hair has finally stopped falling out in such big clumps and there's less of it in my hairbrush.

I took the same hormone test that Joannie is talking about that gets sent to Kent, WA. It's about $100 + what your naturopath will charge you to tell you what all the graphs mean.

If she's anywhere near Redmond, the lady that I've been seeing is amazing. She also has free classes on hormones every month or so.

~C.

I have heard recently that unlike male hair loss, female hair loss can sometimes be attributed to diet and stress as well as exercise-lack of or excessive.

Hello A..

what your sister has sounds like Alopecia Areata. It is believed to be caused by an autoimmune effect and often triggered by stress. People with Alopecia Areata may be susceptible to other autoimmune disorders as well, if possible your sister could see a specialist just to make sure it's nothing serious.
I am not aware of a cure or treatment.

There is a vitamin B liquid that can be purchased at any pharmacy that might help. It was given to me at my bridal shower due to my hair litterally falling out in clumps for 6 months prior to my wedding. It did help, and I stopped using it when it felt like life calmed down a little. After all, my soon to be husband was in and out of the hospital and unexpectedly bed ridden for the 3 months prior to the wedding, and we have 4 kids and were in the middle of soccer season, during which he coaches 2 teams.... and couldn't. All of this, on top of planning a wedding, left life a little stressful. I was full of fatigue and my hair was falling out! I have also used it a few times when I just felt like life was getting hectic and I didn't want things to start up again.
Also... A few years later, I had long hair that I noticed was falling out and breaking a lot. What I figured out was that the weight of my hair seemed to be causing it... I got it cut a little shorter and layered it and the problem stopped almost immediately.

I don't know much about hair as my hair is pretty short. LOL But, what I do know is, when I worked as a receptionist in a hair salon, something that I had always seen that worked was a product called Nioxin. It's a series. They have vitamins, shampoos, conditioners, etc. It works to naturally open up hair follicles and stimulate new hair growth. I've seen men and women coming in claiming they have new growth hair within a few months. I hope this helps. I use the vitamins and not only does it make my hair shiny, thick, and healthy, but my nails and skin look good too! :D

I read most of the advice replies. There is definitely something not right and if her DR doesn't help further to find out what is wrong, then it's time to get a new DR who is willing to listen and keep trying to figure out what is wrong. There is a reason and a good DR will find the answer.

to me it sounds like possibly alopecia (sp) a disorder where a person lose alot or little hair. i only know bout it bc i worked with a woman who had it. just a thought

My sister in law had this happen to her and it turned out to be her antidepressant pills she was taking. If she is taking any medication, I would look at that first. Hope this helps.

I had similar problems a few years ago. After quite a few MD visits my doctor tested my B12 level and it was very low. She ordered B12 injections once a month for me and I was feeling better and keeping my hair after 3 injections.

Wow, I agree with most that she needs a second opinion. As a nurse I say work on the stress levels, with a spouse working part time and being a teacher, my stress levels would be out the roof! I would advise putting exercise as a necessity! So often women say, "when I have time." If we don't set exercise as a priority there won't be "time." Also, keep in mind it is normal to lose your hair as we grow older, however, if it is coming out in dime and nickel sizes there is something going on. Have the B12 levels and mercury tested, it's not too much trouble and with the fatigue and wt gain I would certainly say she could be anemic with the B12 level decreased. Another thought is one I am doing myself due to hair falling out in the shower, my company has a thermal fusion that helps to stimulate hair growth. It worked on my father-in-law who has been bald for 45 years. So I am using it myself and finding a major increase in my volume! If she would like to try it let me know. As a nurse, I highly recommend the B12 check up. Anemia can be caused by B12 and iron decreases. Best of luck to her and if you yourself would like a presentation on our products I would love to set one up! We have nutritionals that help with muscle and joint therapy.

A great woman to start with is Rosemarie Schild P.A. She practices with Osteopathic Medical Associates. She's a real expert on hormones and body chemistry. She'll order blood, saliva and urine tests to get some numbers and develop a plan. She saved my life. She's VERY natropathic(sp?) oriented.
S. 41yr old mother of three ages 6,7,9

There is a supplement called Radiance by Aloette that helps with skin, hair, and nail problems and stress. I know several people that have had hair re-growth and thickening when they started using it. My mom's hair actually came in dark, she had been totally grey for years. You can get it through consultants. There is one listed with Mamasource, the website is www.myaloette.biz/jenistutz