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Hair loss

D

DMSCOT

Member
Messages
21
Hi this has probably already been discussed somewhere, But I am getting upset at the amount of hair I have lost these last few months, I have several bald spots and the hair I have left is like rats tails :( Is this likely to be permanent or will things improve as I get things under control , thanks .
 
It’s incredibly common when making a drastic change to your body, such as going low carb or keto (often also seen after giving birth). Does this apply to you? the diet thing not the birthing bit. It’s called Telogen effluvium. It starts a few weeks or months after the change and continues til the new cycles of growth start up, maybe a few months.

Mine started about 3 months after I went keto and lasted about 3 months or so badly. I believe I lost more than half the volume of my hair, probably closer to 2/3 but fortunately no patches in my case. Luckily I had really thick hair to start and now it’s so fine had I started that way I’d be in real trouble. However I am now , finally, seeing new growth around my hair line that reassures me it’s coming back and eventually I’ll return to normal (it’s was long so will take a while. I even cut 8” off to help it look fuller and it be more even as it grows back). I also am not blocking the shower drain anymore with every hair wash.

If a drastic change isn’t the cause or there’s other symptoms it might be worth a visit to your dr to check things like thyroid levels and any other deficiencies that could possibly be the cause.
 
HSSS said:
It’s incredibly common when making a drastic change to your body, such as going low carb or keto (often also seen after giving birth). Does this apply to you? the diet thing not the birthing bit. It’s called Telogen effluvium. It starts a few weeks or months after the change and continues til the new cycles of growth start up, maybe a few months.

Mine started about 3 months after I went keto and lasted about 3 months or so badly. I believe I lost more than half the volume of my hair, probably closer to 2/3 but fortunately no patches in my case. Luckily I had really thick hair to start and now it’s so fine had I started that way I’d be in real trouble. However I am now , finally, seeing new growth around my hair line that reassures me it’s coming back and eventually I’ll return to normal (it’s was long so will take a while. I even cut 8” off to help it look fuller and it be more even as it grows back). I also am not blocking the shower drain anymore with every hair wash.

If a drastic change isn’t the cause or there’s other symptoms it might be worth a visit to your dr to check things like thyroid levels and any other deficiencies that could possibly be the cause.
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Thanks HSSS , It started when I first showed signs of diabetes , it was 3 months before I was diagnosed with type 2 . I did not know what was wrong with me ( neither did my doc) Several docs have blamed steroids but in hindsight it was the diabetes . well not a lot I can do , I am more concerned with numb feet at the moment :nailbiting: if I am honest . Hopefully things will improve as I get things under control , thanks again .
 
I had the same happen to me and there are posts of mine somewhere on this site regarding this. My hair started to get oily and thinner. This lasted for around 6 months. I was only having one meal a day as I did not eat lunch. Anyway I started to eat lunch at least 4 times a week and took a Well woman multivitamin and I am happy to say that my hair started to get thicker again. This I now realise is very common. Quite a few women who start Keto, months down the line notice their hair thinning, but it does grow back. Try not to worry and stick with it. Take a multivitamin with Biotin in, and make sure that you are getting enough food xx
 
So it started before diet change? Now I’m not saying it’s not diabetes but I’ve not heard of it as a symptom before and usually I’ve heard this after diagnosis when diet has substantially changed. Did you dr check for thyroid or other things before deciding it was diabetes caused ?
 
DMSCOT said:
well not a lot I can do , I am more concerned with numb feet at the moment :nailbiting: if I am honest . Hopefully things will improve as I get things under control , thanks again .
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How is the control doing? Have you had all the welcomes in the forum and got to grips with low carb? I can’t see your profile etc so no idea on your current situation, meds, levels etc or previous posts or even what type. Maybe update your profile and avatar label so we can help you more easily.
 
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Hi @HSSS Have you spoken to your GP about your hair loss ? It mig be worth having a chat and getting your thyroid checked too just to rule out any other possible causes.
 
Juicyj said:
Hi @HSSS Have you spoken to your GP about your hair loss ? It mig be worth having a chat and getting your thyroid checked too just to rule out any other possible causes.
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My thyroid is monitored closely as I had half of it out a year ago due to what turned out to luckily be just a large cyst. T4 is much what it always was, lowish but above lower limits to be seen as a problem TSH has doubled in the relevant time but from very low to still low so again they are telling me all’s good. I guess from a practical point if I have a bit less than half of it now it has to work harder ie more tsh to get the remaining bit working double time in order to produce the same amount of t4 overall. Not sure if that’s actually how it works but it would make some sense.

I have just been refused my 3 monthly check on this and diabetic bloods I’ve had so far since diagnosis and the surgery by a random gp saying I was normal and could wait for an annual check in July! I did a video call appointment (only ones you can get these days) with a locum who can’t count and thinks it’s only 2 months so too soon and agreed to authorise them in another’s month. I’ll live with that as it does seem to be growing back now. Hopefully I can get back to him or someone that will agree with him.
 
Contralto said:
Anyone considered B vitamins, especially biotin? Been tested for the same? Hose about thyroid issues like Hashimoto's ? Parathyroids?
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Yep after major body change I did suggest thyroids etc.

I see lots of people on Facebook groups taking biotin and other supplements like mad, swearing they work - at just about the same time it sorts itself out anyway if it is down to significant body events like big diet changes and weight loss etc. Their choice and preference to spend the money. Don’t suppose it’s hurting them any though.
 
Yes I had this started 6 months in to LCHF diet lasted 6 months. My hairdresser suggested I get my thyroid checked which was fine. Nimput myself on a good B Vits supplement and added extra Biotin. Also I found a hair wash range called Niotin which I bought at the hairdressers which I believe has helped. Dont worry it will improve. I can see several inches of new growth though my pony tail is still thinner. Also dont know what your diet is like but do eat enough protein and healthy fats.
 
derry60 said:
I had the same happen to me and there are posts of mine somewhere on this site regarding this. My hair started to get oily and thinner. This lasted for around 6 months. I was only having one meal a day as I did not eat lunch. Anyway I started to eat lunch at least 4 times a week and took a Well woman multivitamin and I am happy to say that my hair started to get thicker again. This I now realise is very common. Quite a few women who start Keto, months down the line notice their hair thinning, but it does grow back. Try not to worry and stick with it. Take a multivitamin with Biotin in, and make sure that you are getting enough food xx
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Thanks derry60 , Yes think I will be looking at some vitamins, I have never eaten breakfast I was always a coffee person with several cigs when I gave up cigs it changed to biscuits . Plus I am on steroids which make me eat a lot which does not help. I don't think I have been given much guidance from the practice nurse, feel there is so much I don't know .
 
PenguinMum said:
Yes I had this started 6 months in to LCHF diet lasted 6 months. My hairdresser suggested I get my thyroid checked which was fine. Nimput myself on a good B Vits supplement and added extra Biotin. Also I found a hair wash range called Niotin which I bought at the hairdressers which I believe has helped. Dont worry it will improve. I can see several inches of new growth though my pony tail is still thinner. Also dont know what your diet is like but do eat enough protein and healthy fats.
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Thanks PenquinMum I no longer have a thyroid, had it removed several years ago when Docs thought I had cancer. But am going to look at Vit Bs and the hair wash you mentioned .
 
HSSS said:
Yep after major body change I did suggest thyroids etc.

I see lots of people on Facebook groups taking biotin and other supplements like mad, swearing they work - at just about the same time it sorts itself out anyway if it is down to significant body events like big diet changes and weight loss etc. Their choice and preference to spend the money. Don’t suppose it’s hurting them any though.
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Well in the 3 months before it was known I had diabetes I more or less stopped eating and just drank fresh orange juice by the carton, must have been getting through 4or5 litres about every 24 hours and I lost 3 stone so that could have had a effect on me. I will keep reading the posts and hopefully get to grips with this . Thanks .
 
DMSCOT said:
Well in the 3 months before it was known I had diabetes I more or less stopped eating and just drank fresh orange juice by the carton, must have been getting through 4or5 litres about every 24 hours and I lost 3 stone so that could have had a effect on me. I will keep reading the posts and hopefully get to grips with this . Thanks .
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That sounds a very likely cause then , drastic diet change and weight loss. It’s a very good probability it’ll settle soon anyway all by itself so try not to worry, unpleasant though it is. I’ve noticed new hair particularly around my hair line and lots of sticky up fly away short bits all over the place. My hairdresser reckons she can feel,it thicker at the roots too . My husband is very grateful it’s not shedding as fast anymore too, my normal rate is enough of a pain, as he was finding it everywhere.
 
Apologies, @HSSS - I've only just seen your post.

I'd be curious to know what your doubled, but OK TSH figure actually was, as to Ben optimal it should be under 1, with your T4 at the upper and of the range, and your T3 ( the actual worker bee of the thyroid suite), also at the upper end of your assay range.

Sadly, many thyroid patients are effectively assessed as well enough, when often not so - in particular where they still experience symptoms.

It can be tricky to get thyroid levels to good levels, so it's important to keep on top of things, if you still have symptoms. If you are symptom free, and feeling well, then you may be one of the lucky ones.

I use the HealthUnlocked thyroid forum, which is like here, but for thyroid stuff. It could be worth a read if an any of the foregoing chimes.
 
DCUKMod said:
Apologies, @HSSS - I've only just seen your post.

I'd be curious to know what your doubled, but OK TSH figure actually was, as to Ben optimal it should be under 1, with your T4 at the upper and of the range, and your T3 ( the actual worker bee of the thyroid suite), also at the upper end of your assay range.

Sadly, many thyroid patients are effectively assessed as well enough, when often not so - in particular where they still experience symptoms.

It can be tricky to get thyroid levels to good levels, so it's important to keep on top of things, if you still have symptoms. If you are symptom free, and feeling well, then you may be one of the lucky ones.

I use the HealthUnlocked thyroid forum, which is like here, but for thyroid stuff. It could be worth a read if an any of the foregoing chimes.
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TSH pre surgery was always 0.5 to 0.6. Now sitting around 1.2 to 1.5. I’m being told anything under 4 is left alone and always been told it’s in range we won’t do anything. No one can tell me the effect of half of it missing has on these numbers.
T4 has always varied 8-12 ish. Currently 10.4
T3 only checked once 3 months post surgery at 5.6

I did join but haven’t posted on the thyroid forum. Quite a different format and it’ll take. A bit to get my head round.

Last year when diagnosed diabetic and also b12 of just 159 (also refused treatment so I got my own and last check was 812) I assumed the devasting tiredness I had could easily have been either of these as well as thyroid related. I’ll try do some research before next months bloods and go from there.
 
HSSS said:
TSH pre surgery was always 0.5 to 0.6. Now sitting around 1.2 to 1.5. I’m being told anything under 4 is left alone and always been told it’s in range we won’t do anything. No one can tell me the effect of half of it missing has on these numbers.
T4 has always varied 8-12 ish. Currently 10.4
T3 only checked once 3 months post surgery at 5.6

I did join but haven’t posted on the thyroid forum. Quite a different format and it’ll take. A bit to get my head round.

Last year when diagnosed diabetic and also b12 of just 159 (also refused treatment so I got my own and last check was 812) I assumed the devasting tiredness I had could easily have been either of these as well as thyroid related. I’ll try do some research before next months bloods and go from there.
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Under 4 might be fine in those symptom-free, but euthyroid tends to be under 1. In your shoes, if I felt fine I'd be content to leave it, wit him symptoms, I might want to tweak up a notch and see how I went at that.

Assuming your assays are similar to one, your T4 is only just in range, and should be closer to the top, but your T3 is in better shape.
Contralto said:
Do you have a link to the thyroid forum you are talking about?
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It's here: https://healthunlocked.com/

It's a sort of aggregator site, so you then select the group or groups you are interested in.
 
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