Comments on: Low iron stores: a risk factor for excessive hair loss in non-menopausal women http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/iron-hair-loss/ A Community For Women Dealing With Hair Loss - Help, Hope and Understanding Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:26:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Meghan http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/iron-hair-loss/#comment-21734 Meghan Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:58:41 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=74#comment-21734 Mine has been breaking off. I think more is breaking off than actually pulling out. When I put my hair in a ponytail I have a halo of "fuzz" shall we call it sticking up all over. This sucks! Then I have to wear a ball cap to cover the mess, so I dont need to slick it all down with hairspray. =( Mine has been breaking off. I think more is breaking off than actually pulling out. When I put my hair in a ponytail I have a halo of “fuzz” shall we call it sticking up all over. This sucks! Then I have to wear a ball cap to cover the mess, so I dont need to slick it all down with hairspray. =(

]]> By: DD http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/iron-hair-loss/#comment-21547 DD Mon, 04 Aug 2008 22:36:16 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=74#comment-21547 Jan- It does make things a bit better to talk with someone who can relate, right? Hey, that's great that your levels are going up quickly, I guess some people don't respond that well. I am hopeful your regrowth will begin soon. Is your hair fragile and breaking off like mine? That's the worst part cuz I am spending so much time styling it just so it looks halfway decent to be seen in public, I'm sure I'm ripping out too much in the process. Also, do you notice that you have more energy now on the iron? I definitely do and I don't feel that depressed, although still the hair loss thing depresses me. But I was on Lexapro, cymbalta and wellbutrin recently, not anymore. I think that may contributed to some loss. I get my levels rechecked in 6 weeks...Hopefully it's 50 or better. Good luck Jan- It does make things a bit better to talk with someone who can relate, right? Hey, that’s great that your levels are going up quickly, I guess some people don’t respond that well. I am hopeful your regrowth will begin soon. Is your hair fragile and breaking off like mine? That’s the worst part cuz I am spending so much time styling it just so it looks halfway decent to be seen in public, I’m sure I’m ripping out too much in the process. Also, do you notice that you have more energy now on the iron? I definitely do and I don’t feel that depressed, although still the hair loss thing depresses me. But I was on Lexapro, cymbalta and wellbutrin recently, not anymore. I think that may contributed to some loss. I get my levels rechecked in 6 weeks…Hopefully it’s 50 or better. Good luck

]]> By: Jan http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/iron-hair-loss/#comment-21485 Jan Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:54:15 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=74#comment-21485 DD - When I read your comments, I felt like I was reading about myself. I am 41 also and it does get depressing when you are loosing your hair. I know there are things much worse, but, for right now, this is bad enough. You really have to be your own advocate when trying to get a diagnosis. I kept seeing doctors until I had the right one. I was told your bloodwork looks great! But I knew something was wrong because you just don't loose your hair unless something in your body is not working right. I started at a ferritin level of 14. After 2 months it went to 30. I go in on Wed for another test. I am taking 50 mg 3x a day too. I think the shedding has improved, but, there has been no regrowth yet. (This has me a little worried) My doctor said it should grow back when the levels are high enough. It has been 5 months now. I have read that it takes 2-3 months to stop shedding (over 40 ferritin level) and 5-6 months to see growth (with a ferritin level of 70) I'm glad some of you have seen improvement in less shedding. Here's hoping all of us will end up with a nice head of hair! DD - When I read your comments, I felt like I was reading about myself. I am 41 also and it does get depressing when you are loosing your hair. I know there are things much worse, but, for right now, this is bad enough. You really have to be your own advocate when trying to get a diagnosis. I kept seeing doctors until I had the right one. I was told your bloodwork looks great! But I knew something was wrong because you just don’t loose your hair unless something in your body is not working right. I started at a ferritin level of 14. After 2 months it went to 30. I go in on Wed for another test. I am taking 50 mg 3x a day too. I think the shedding has improved, but, there has been no regrowth yet. (This has me a little worried) My doctor said it should grow back when the levels are high enough. It has been 5 months now. I have read that it takes 2-3 months to stop shedding (over 40 ferritin level) and 5-6 months to see growth (with a ferritin level of 70) I’m glad some of you have seen improvement in less shedding. Here’s hoping all of us will end up with a nice head of hair!

]]> By: Tara http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/iron-hair-loss/#comment-21157 Tara Sat, 02 Aug 2008 23:02:54 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=74#comment-21157 Hello everyone. I am 39, and I have slowly been losing hair for about 4 years now. I briefly went back on the pill after my second son was born. I tried two different kinds for a short time and then quit them completely. This is the only thing that I know of that could have contributed to it at that time. My Mom has very thin hair, but it did not get really thin until after a round of chemo. I do have other balding on both sides of my family as well. Within the last month, my hair has started shedding at an alarming rate! My hair was never that great to begin with- very fine, but a lot of it. I can't imagine what it is like for those of you who had beautiful hair to be going through this! Anyway, I went to my regular doctor over a year ago. He checked my thyroid, said it was fine and that he didn't see any problem. I was a huge diet coke drinker, and for a time I thought it was due to aspartame poisoning. I completely cut out all sugar substitutes, but that has been 5 months ago and no results. I am going to a dermatologist on Thursday, and I hope to get more tests run. There are two things that I think might be a factor in this recent shedding, and I wanted to know if anyone else has had any similar problems. One is that I started taking Adderall recently. I know that amphetimines can cause hair loss, but would it happen immediately after I started taking it? I take 20mg per day. I love the Adderall- it helps with depression, I am so much more motivated, I get so much more done at work, and I just feel better about myself and am happier to be around. I am so hoping that it is not causing this massive shedding. Anyone else had this problem? My other thought is that I have Candida, with is caused by excessive yeast in the body. I have had problems with yeast infections the last few years, and I have been treated for one within this last month. I know that Systematic Candida can cause hair loss, as well as Iron deficiancies, but how do you know for sure??? This is driving me crazy. And the worst part is, as my hair is literally falling out by the day, my husband thinks that I am just obsessing! He thinks that either my stressing out about it, or my wearing a ball cap several days a week, is causing it to fall out. I have decided that if it continues at this rate, I am going to get a wig or some kind of hair system before it gets completely noticeable. It is just too depressing to look in the mirror and to see it falling out all over the place. I am using the Men's 5% Rogaine and taking multi-vitamins. I would love some feedback from anyone who has decided to do the hair thing. I live in Wichita, KS and I know that I will probably have to go elsewhere to find a good place. Does anyone know of any in Kansas City, Tulsa or Oklahoma City? I would really appreciate any advice. I have looked at the Cyberhair and Reprieve websites, but is so hard to tell much about them just through the computer. Sorry for rambling!! I read this website all the time, but until this last month of major shedding, I thought I had it under control. Denial is my middle name!!! Tara Hello everyone. I am 39, and I have slowly been losing hair for about 4 years now. I briefly went back on the pill after my second son was born. I tried two different kinds for a short time and then quit them completely. This is the only thing that I know of that could have contributed to it at that time. My Mom has very thin hair, but it did not get really thin until after a round of chemo. I do have other balding on both sides of my family as well.

Within the last month, my hair has started shedding at an alarming rate! My hair was never that great to begin with- very fine, but a lot of it. I can’t imagine what it is like for those of you who had beautiful hair to be going through this! Anyway, I went to my regular doctor over a year ago. He checked my thyroid, said it was fine and that he didn’t see any problem. I was a huge diet coke drinker, and for a time I thought it was due to aspartame poisoning. I completely cut out all sugar substitutes, but that has been 5 months ago and no results.

I am going to a dermatologist on Thursday, and I hope to get more tests run. There are two things that I think might be a factor in this recent shedding, and I wanted to know if anyone else has had any similar problems. One is that I started taking Adderall recently. I know that amphetimines can cause hair loss, but would it happen immediately after I started taking it? I take 20mg per day. I love the Adderall- it helps with depression, I am so much more motivated, I get so much more done at work, and I just feel better about myself and am happier to be around. I am so hoping that it is not causing this massive shedding. Anyone else had this problem? My other thought is that I have Candida, with is caused by excessive yeast in the body. I have had problems with yeast infections the last few years, and I have been treated for one within this last month. I know that Systematic Candida can cause hair loss, as well as Iron deficiancies, but how do you know for sure??? This is driving me crazy. And the worst part is, as my hair is literally falling out by the day, my husband thinks that I am just obsessing! He thinks that either my stressing out about it, or my wearing a ball cap several days a week, is causing it to fall out.

I have decided that if it continues at this rate, I am going to get a wig or some kind of hair system before it gets completely noticeable. It is just too depressing to look in the mirror and to see it falling out all over the place. I am using the Men’s 5% Rogaine and taking multi-vitamins. I would love some feedback from anyone who has decided to do the hair thing. I live in Wichita, KS and I know that I will probably have to go elsewhere to find a good place. Does anyone know of any in Kansas City, Tulsa or Oklahoma City? I would really appreciate any advice. I have looked at the Cyberhair and Reprieve websites, but is so hard to tell much about them just through the computer.

Sorry for rambling!! I read this website all the time, but until this last month of major shedding, I thought I had it under control. Denial is my middle name!!!

Tara

]]> By: Kirsten http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/iron-hair-loss/#comment-20919 Kirsten Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:48:36 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=74#comment-20919 Hi everyone. I have just come across this. And I NEVER thought there'd be this many womaen experiencing thi sparticular distressing problem. I am 18, the youngest I think... and I've just been diagnosed with having iron deficiency anaemia and have been prescribed 200mg Ferrous Sulphate which I've to take one a day. My hair was rapidly thinning and I couldn't take it. It was horrifying not knowing what the cause was, I am much more hopeful now after reading a lot of success stories on the internet. This may not be a BIG improvement (plus, I haven't been on them for very long at all) but for the last few days there has been such a difference in the amount of hair that sheds. =] I don't know exactly how low my iron levels are, but I'm just going to keep taking them and wait. Also, I was wondering if any of you think that 18 is too young to be having iron defiency problems? (Heavy periods are mainly the reason for my iron levels plummeting)Good luck to everyone! Hi everyone. I have just come across this. And I NEVER thought there’d be this many womaen experiencing thi sparticular distressing problem. I am 18, the youngest I think… and I’ve just been diagnosed with having iron deficiency anaemia and have been prescribed 200mg Ferrous Sulphate which I’ve to take one a day. My hair was rapidly thinning and I couldn’t take it. It was horrifying not knowing what the cause was, I am much more hopeful now after reading a lot of success stories on the internet. This may not be a BIG improvement (plus, I haven’t been on them for very long at all) but for the last few days there has been such a difference in the amount of hair that sheds. =] I don’t know exactly how low my iron levels are, but I’m just going to keep taking them and wait. Also, I was wondering if any of you think that 18 is too young to be having iron defiency problems? (Heavy periods are mainly the reason for my iron levels plummeting)Good luck to everyone!

]]> By: DD http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/iron-hair-loss/#comment-20844 DD Fri, 01 Aug 2008 14:58:37 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=74#comment-20844 Glad I found this site too! I'm 41 and have always had very fine thin hair, just thought it was crappy genetics. Only while I was pregnant at 30 did I think my hair actually looked good. I thought it grew thicker and did not shed at all. That didn't last however and within a few months after delivery it fell out and returned to it's pitiful state. Over the last few years I noticed my hair getting even thinner all over and breaking. I thought it was just over-processed. Then I thought it was caused by depression...catch 22, cuz my hair loss WAS causing depression! I'm sure you all can relate, I was in tears, rarely wanted to leave the house. Only recently did I see a Dr. and had blood work done. They said everything was great. I thought maybe it was a thyroid thing...nope, all good. Depressed even more, I went home thinking there's no hope for me. I'll just continue losing hair until it's gone and buy a wig. OMG! I spent all my free time researching on the internet, what it could be. I decided to see a Dermatologist. They ordered a new set of labs. Hu.... funny how this goes. They told me I was very anemic, I had low white and red blood cell counts and my Ferritin level was 10 (the lowest she had even seen) What the hell! My Dr.said everything was ok. Not the case. My Dermatologist put me on Iron(65mg) 3x a day-5mg Biotin and I'm taking a multivitamin.She also recommended Minoxodil and Olux foam. I tried them but Minoxodil is just awful sticky stuff, I couldn't deal with it. And Olux costs about $250/month, can't afford it. So I'm just doing the pills right now. I just have to say to all of you THERE IS HOPE! After a month, my ferritin level went from 10 to 25.I know that's still too low, she want's me above 70. But I totally notice an improvement. I am definitely not as tired, my mood has improved and I'm sure my hair is improving. The derm said she could see new growth. I'm so psyched! My hair is far from where I'd like it to be, but it's only been a couple months and it's getting better. I hope this helps! Glad I found this site too! I’m 41 and have always had very fine thin hair, just thought it was crappy genetics. Only while I was pregnant at 30 did I think my hair actually looked good. I thought it grew thicker and did not shed at all. That didn’t last however and within a few months after delivery it fell out and returned to it’s pitiful state. Over the last few years I noticed my hair getting even thinner all over and breaking. I thought it was just over-processed. Then I thought it was caused by depression…catch 22, cuz my hair loss WAS causing depression! I’m sure you all can relate, I was in tears, rarely wanted to leave the house. Only recently did I see a Dr. and had blood work done. They said everything was great. I thought maybe it was a thyroid thing…nope, all good. Depressed even more, I went home thinking there’s no hope for me. I’ll just continue losing hair until it’s gone and buy a wig. OMG! I spent all my free time researching on the internet, what it could be. I decided to see a Dermatologist. They ordered a new set of labs. Hu…. funny how this goes. They told me I was very anemic, I had low white and red blood cell counts and my Ferritin level was 10 (the lowest she had even seen) What the hell! My Dr.said everything was ok. Not the case. My Dermatologist put me on Iron(65mg) 3x a day-5mg Biotin and I’m taking a multivitamin.She also recommended Minoxodil and Olux foam. I tried them but Minoxodil is just awful sticky stuff, I couldn’t deal with it. And Olux costs about $250/month, can’t afford it. So I’m just doing the pills right now. I just have to say to all of you THERE IS HOPE! After a month, my ferritin level went from 10 to 25.I know that’s still too low, she want’s me above 70. But I totally notice an improvement. I am definitely not as tired, my mood has improved and I’m sure my hair is improving. The derm said she could see new growth. I’m so psyched!
My hair is far from where I’d like it to be, but it’s only been a couple months and it’s getting better. I hope this helps!

]]> By: Jan http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/iron-hair-loss/#comment-20638 Jan Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:20:37 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=74#comment-20638 Hi everyone, who would have know low ferritin could give us so many problems. I had thick hair for years and about 2 years ago I noticed that it was thinning. My ferritin was 14 and now it's 30, but, still no regrowth. It has been 5 months since I started taking the iron supplements. I take 150 mg of iron a day. I noticed some of you are taking more. I go in next week for another blood test. If anyone has increased their ferritin to 70-100 and has had success, please let us know. This would be the easiest solution, if it works. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Hi everyone, who would have know low ferritin could give us so many problems. I had thick hair for years and about 2 years ago I noticed that it was thinning. My ferritin was 14 and now it’s 30, but, still no regrowth. It has been 5 months since I started taking the iron supplements. I take 150 mg of iron a day. I noticed some of you are taking more. I go in next week for another blood test. If anyone has increased their ferritin to 70-100 and has had success, please let us know. This would be the easiest solution, if it works. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

]]> By: Meghan http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/iron-hair-loss/#comment-20295 Meghan Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:03:55 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=74#comment-20295 Wow!! After rading some of these comments, I am really in sad shape!! I went to the Dr because of hair falling out & my test came back an 8.9 !! I am on 325mg of ferrous sulfate 3x a day. Still waiting on the bulk of the lab work to come back. I am not a vegetarian, never have been. I eat meat not every day, but quite often. Wish I knew why my iron was so low. Hopefully the lab results will tell me something. Wow!! After rading some of these comments, I am really in sad shape!! I went to the Dr because of hair falling out & my test came back an 8.9 !! I am on 325mg of ferrous sulfate 3x a day. Still waiting on the bulk of the lab work to come back. I am not a vegetarian, never have been. I eat meat not every day, but quite often. Wish I knew why my iron was so low. Hopefully the lab results will tell me something.

]]> By: P http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/iron-hair-loss/#comment-17968 P Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:10:59 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=74#comment-17968 Girls - supplementing with iron can cause a zinc imbalance which can cause hair loss mimicking AGA! Recommend a hair analysis (hair TMA) to see where your minerals/heavy metals stand. Girls - supplementing with iron can cause a zinc imbalance which can cause hair loss mimicking AGA! Recommend a hair analysis (hair TMA) to see where your minerals/heavy metals stand.

]]> By: Michelle http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/iron-hair-loss/#comment-17918 Michelle Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:56:50 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=74#comment-17918 HI! I've been reading as much as I can about hair loss for the past few months and just stumbled upon this group as I was trying to find out more about ferritin (iron) levels and hair loss. My hair has been thinning for years, but during the past few months, it has gotton really thin and extra fragile, especially on the top and sides. I recently had to have it cut short. I've been tested for everything and was given the "you're perfectly healthy" thumbs-up which made me sick. Yes, I should be happy, but I'd rather KNOW what is wrong with me, because something is. I have more symptoms which range from fatique, weight gain and depression, but no doctors seem to tie this together. So in the meantime, since my ferritin came back at 45 and I've read that many doctors say you need a level of 70 to keep your hair from falling out, and 100 to regrow it, I've decided to supplement on my own. I now eat protein at every meal and take 325 mg of Ferruous Sulfate 3x a day. I'm taking this amount because my neighbor (true success story!) found out her ferritin was a 7 and her doctor put her on that dosage and within two months, you can see her hair growing back! She says it hasn't looked like this in years (I didn't know her then). I'm HOPING this works for me too. Anyway, I'm writing to let everyone know that there is HOPE with the iron (we can try, right?) and also, take the iron with vitamin C, L-lysine and Evening Primrose Oil. Go ahead and do internet searches on these supplements and again, a lot of the information just might give you hope and might even work! Don't take iron supplements with coffee, tea or milk. I also am taking prescription biotin and silica gel. I really hope we all find answers soon and our hair grows back. This is so devastating! (BTW, I took antidepressants for several years and they have been linked to hair loss; not sure if that is part of my problem or not but still hoping the iron helps it to grow back.) HI! I’ve been reading as much as I can about hair loss for the past few months and just stumbled upon this group as I was trying to find out more about ferritin (iron) levels and hair loss.

My hair has been thinning for years, but during the past few months, it has gotton really thin and extra fragile, especially on the top and sides. I recently had to have it cut short. I’ve been tested for everything and was given the “you’re perfectly healthy” thumbs-up which made me sick. Yes, I should be happy, but I’d rather KNOW what is wrong with me, because something is.

I have more symptoms which range from fatique, weight gain and depression, but no doctors seem to tie this together. So in the meantime, since my ferritin came back at 45 and I’ve read that many doctors say you need a level of 70 to keep your hair from falling out, and 100 to regrow it, I’ve decided to supplement on my own.

I now eat protein at every meal and take 325 mg of Ferruous Sulfate 3x a day. I’m taking this amount because my neighbor (true success story!) found out her ferritin was a 7 and her doctor put her on that dosage and within two months, you can see her hair growing back! She says it hasn’t looked like this in years (I didn’t know her then). I’m HOPING this works for me too.

Anyway, I’m writing to let everyone know that there is HOPE with the iron (we can try, right?) and also, take the iron with vitamin C, L-lysine and Evening Primrose Oil. Go ahead and do internet searches on these supplements and again, a lot of the information just might give you hope and might even work!

Don’t take iron supplements with coffee, tea or milk. I also am taking prescription biotin and silica gel. I really hope we all find answers soon and our hair grows back. This is so devastating! (BTW, I took antidepressants for several years and they have been linked to hair loss; not sure if that is part of my problem or not but still hoping the iron helps it to grow back.)

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