Comments on: What a birthday present, sudden hair loss at 27! - Michelle’s hair loss story http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/michelle-hair-loss-story/ A Community For Women Dealing With Hair Loss - Help, Hope and Understanding Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:25:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Michelle http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/michelle-hair-loss-story/#comment-2102 Michelle Wed, 05 Mar 2008 14:02:54 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=106#comment-2102 Lisa, I wish but I don't live on base and I just bought my house so there's no way I'm leaving now. For as much money as a house in the DC area was, I will live with the hair loss. :) I did go to a follow up with a dermatologist on base and she said my thyroid and iron, ferretin and all were good so there was no medical reason for the loss. Of course she prescribed some topical steroid betamethasdone (sp) to see if it was maybe an inflammatory thing, she doesn't know but at least she was honest. I travel a lot, going back overseas Monday for 3 weeks so I don't know if the stress causes it but I’m going to try and Zen out on the flights. I'm not a quiet person so I've been telling everyone about the weird hair shedding. My boss, family, co-workers, my masseuse, counselor, you name it I'm telling em and asking for advice. So far everybody just tells me to stop worrying and it'll stop on its own. I did buy a new shower head that filters the water to see if that will help though, don't know if it's a coincidence or not but it seems to make the dreaded shed in the shower a lot better. And it's got a bunch of different settings so that's a plus. It’s kind of weird, I know I need a haircut, but ever since this shedding started my hair looks dead and just no body at all and I don’t want to cut what I may not have at the end of the year. And the greys are really standing out now, how come they don’t fall out? Anyways, I’m hitting month 6 and if the web sites and Dr.’s are right this should be tapering off soon, hopefully. I really am glad I found this site; you all have been very supportive of one another and answered a lot of my questions so thanks. Michelle Lisa,
I wish but I don’t live on base and I just bought my house so there’s no way I’m leaving now. For as much money as a house in the DC area was, I will live with the hair loss. :)

I did go to a follow up with a dermatologist on base and she said my thyroid and iron, ferretin and all were good so there was no medical reason for the loss. Of course she prescribed some topical steroid betamethasdone (sp) to see if it was maybe an inflammatory thing, she doesn’t know but at least she was honest. I travel a lot, going back overseas Monday for 3 weeks so I don’t know if the stress causes it but I’m going to try and Zen out on the flights.

I’m not a quiet person so I’ve been telling everyone about the weird hair shedding. My boss, family, co-workers, my masseuse, counselor, you name it I’m telling em and asking for advice. So far everybody just tells me to stop worrying and it’ll stop on its own. I did buy a new shower head that filters the water to see if that will help though, don’t know if it’s a coincidence or not but it seems to make the dreaded shed in the shower a lot better. And it’s got a bunch of different settings so that’s a plus.

It’s kind of weird, I know I need a haircut, but ever since this shedding started my hair looks dead and just no body at all and I don’t want to cut what I may not have at the end of the year. And the greys are really standing out now, how come they don’t fall out? Anyways, I’m hitting month 6 and if the web sites and Dr.’s are right this should be tapering off soon, hopefully.

I really am glad I found this site; you all have been very supportive of one another and answered a lot of my questions so thanks.

Michelle

]]> By: admin http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/michelle-hair-loss-story/#comment-525 admin Thu, 17 Jan 2008 15:47:11 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=106#comment-525 Hi Lisa! Welcome to the site! Where are you located? I wouldn't be surprised if environmental factors could cause hair loss. The hair loss shedding, stopping and regrowing phases all take sometime to transition from one to the other. How long where you out of the house when you noticed an improvement. If it was immediate I'd venture to say it was a coincidence, but if it was a month later, definitely a possibility you may be on to something. What do the women near you say about it. ~Y Hi Lisa! Welcome to the site! Where are you located? I wouldn’t be surprised if environmental factors could cause hair loss. The hair loss shedding, stopping and regrowing phases all take sometime to transition from one to the other. How long where you out of the house when you noticed an improvement. If it was immediate I’d venture to say it was a coincidence, but if it was a month later, definitely a possibility you may be on to something. What do the women near you say about it.

~Y

]]> By: Lisa http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/michelle-hair-loss-story/#comment-528 Lisa Thu, 17 Jan 2008 06:34:57 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=106#comment-528 I am a military spouse living on an airforce base. I've been having hair loss since Nov 2006 and my daughters started losing their hair soon after. Are you able to stay out of your house for a while to see if the problem stops? We moved out two times since last summer and both times we had new hair growth and all hair loss stopped until we moved back in this house. I'm still trying to find answers. Since it gets my active duty husband in trouble when I have said in the past "it's the house" causing these problems, I won't say that but there are some detectors and tests you can buy. I've bought mold tests and a radon detector. It didn't stop the hair loss but our radon was too high so a radon-reduction system was put in. There are at least 3 other women near me losing hair too. Have you talked to other people to see if they are losing hair? Just document everything with pictures, video and writing stuff down. I'm also saving our hair in dated zip lock bags. You can also get copies of your medical records to see exactly what they tested for. Mine was done on base so it wasn't much they tested me for. I am a military spouse living on an airforce base. I’ve been having hair loss since Nov 2006 and my daughters started losing their hair soon after. Are you able to stay out of your house for a while to see if the problem stops? We moved out two times since last summer and both times we had new hair growth and all hair loss stopped until we moved back in this house. I’m still trying to find answers. Since it gets my active duty husband in trouble when I have said in the past “it’s the house” causing these problems, I won’t say that but there are some detectors and tests you can buy. I’ve bought mold tests and a radon detector. It didn’t stop the hair loss but our radon was too high so a radon-reduction system was put in. There are at least 3 other women near me losing hair too. Have you talked to other people to see if they are losing hair? Just document everything with pictures, video and writing stuff down. I’m also saving our hair in dated zip lock bags. You can also get copies of your medical records to see exactly what they tested for. Mine was done on base so it wasn’t much they tested me for.

]]> By: Marianne http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/michelle-hair-loss-story/#comment-531 Marianne Mon, 31 Dec 2007 03:13:07 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=106#comment-531 The biotin will help with growth but I it won't stop the shedding since whatever hair you are losing now probably went into the resting stage about three months ago. I have been taking biotin (2.5mg) everyday since October and it is making my nails grow like crazy...maybe my hair is too...unfortunately I am losing the long and short hairs. Thanks for the info on the trichologist, I am down in Norfolk area but actually just drove past Alexandria this past weekend to visit relatives past Baltimore. Crazy traffic!! The biotin will help with growth but I it won’t stop the shedding since whatever hair you are losing now probably went into the resting stage about three months ago. I have been taking biotin (2.5mg) everyday since October and it is making my nails grow like crazy…maybe my hair is too…unfortunately I am losing the long and short hairs.

Thanks for the info on the trichologist, I am down in Norfolk area but actually just drove past Alexandria this past weekend to visit relatives past Baltimore. Crazy traffic!!

]]> By: Michelle http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/michelle-hair-loss-story/#comment-526 Michelle Fri, 28 Dec 2007 23:24:07 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=106#comment-526 Thanks Marianne, I have a follow-up with a dermatologist on base but that's not until the end of January. I will ask them to send over my lab results when I go and test my hormones as well. What would I be looking for range-wise for the ferretin and free T3/4 levels? It's over in Arlington/Alexandria outside DC. Forgive me I live in MD and don't get over there much. It's called Trichology Hair Solutions and I saw a gentleman there by the name of Bobby Spence. Nice guy, he even gave me a trick for clearing up my acne, anti-histamine and cranberry juice daily and go figure that one seems to work. I leave for Israel tomorrow so I'll give you their phone number now. They do hair laser therapy but I told him I just wanted his opinion on what was going on and he didn't pressure me into any products, 703-212-2000. It's funny you mention the biotin, I bought a bottle of it and I guess I got the dosage wrong and was taking 3 pills when I was supposed to take 1 a day. Oops. Maybe that was what was helping slow the shedding though. Thanks again for the heads up on the tests, I appreciate it. Good luck! Michelle Thanks Marianne, I have a follow-up with a dermatologist on base but that’s not until the end of January. I will ask them to send over my lab results when I go and test my hormones as well. What would I be looking for range-wise for the ferretin and free T3/4 levels?

It’s over in Arlington/Alexandria outside DC. Forgive me I live in MD and don’t get over there much. It’s called Trichology Hair Solutions and I saw a gentleman there by the name of Bobby Spence. Nice guy, he even gave me a trick for clearing up my acne, anti-histamine and cranberry juice daily and go figure that one seems to work.

I leave for Israel tomorrow so I’ll give you their phone number now. They do hair laser therapy but I told him I just wanted his opinion on what was going on and he didn’t pressure me into any products, 703-212-2000.

It’s funny you mention the biotin, I bought a bottle of it and I guess I got the dosage wrong and was taking 3 pills when I was supposed to take 1 a day. Oops. Maybe that was what was helping slow the shedding though.

Thanks again for the heads up on the tests, I appreciate it. Good luck!
Michelle

]]> By: Marianne http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/michelle-hair-loss-story/#comment-530 Marianne Fri, 28 Dec 2007 17:51:40 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=106#comment-530 I meant to say...I was wondering where the trichologist was located at in VA...sometimes I say things in my head but my fingers can't keep up! I meant to say…I was wondering where the trichologist was located at in VA…sometimes I say things in my head but my fingers can’t keep up!

]]> By: Marianne http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/michelle-hair-loss-story/#comment-529 Marianne Fri, 28 Dec 2007 17:49:51 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=106#comment-529 I highly recommend taking a multivitamin daily! I don't know if will help your hair but it could...also you might want to get you ferritin checked which is your iron storage. If your ferritin is low it can cause hair loss but I wouldn't supplement with iron until you have the test because too much iron can cause hair loss as well. Supplementing with biotin can help. There is not much in a daily multivitamin so you could do that as well. I've read that taking 2.5 to 3 mg of biotin a day can help. It is not one of those supplements that can cause problems if you get too much...I think you just pee it out! I would also get copies of your thyroid tests and make sure they ran free T4 and free T3 because they could have only ran a TSH and total T4. I am finding that normal levels aren't always normal for some people. I am hypothyroid and have been losing my hair since July and I sometimes wonder if it is ever going to stop. I was dx on Sept as hypo and started taking medication and my levels are so-called normal now but my hair continues to fall out. Did you have your testosterone levels checked since you are using a DHT shampoo and a vitamin with saw palmetto in it? Good luck! This is very hard to deal with! I am in VA right now for the holidays too. Where wondering were the trichologist at? I am willing to go see any doctor at this point! Marianne I highly recommend taking a multivitamin daily! I don’t know if will help your hair but it could…also you might want to get you ferritin checked which is your iron storage. If your ferritin is low it can cause hair loss but I wouldn’t supplement with iron until you have the test because too much iron can cause hair loss as well. Supplementing with biotin can help. There is not much in a daily multivitamin so you could do that as well. I’ve read that taking 2.5 to 3 mg of biotin a day can help. It is not one of those supplements that can cause problems if you get too much…I think you just pee it out!

I would also get copies of your thyroid tests and make sure they ran free T4 and free T3 because they could have only ran a TSH and total T4. I am finding that normal levels aren’t always normal for some people. I am hypothyroid and have been losing my hair since July and I sometimes wonder if it is ever going to stop. I was dx on Sept as hypo and started taking medication and my levels are so-called normal now but my hair continues to fall out.

Did you have your testosterone levels checked since you are using a DHT shampoo and a vitamin with saw palmetto in it?

Good luck! This is very hard to deal with! I am in VA right now for the holidays too. Where wondering were the trichologist at? I am willing to go see any doctor at this point!
Marianne

]]> By: Michelle http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/michelle-hair-loss-story/#comment-527 Michelle Fri, 28 Dec 2007 14:36:50 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=106#comment-527 Thanks for responding to my story, I appreciate the support. As far as stress goes I haven't had anything traumatic or life threatening happen, no surgeries or anything like that. The only thing stressful has been buying a house, I travel a lot for my job and I was in Australia when all the paperwork and loan application stuff was going on. The 3 days it took to get back was stressful but I wouldn't think enough to cause such a severe physical reaction like this shedding. I am sort of hoping that it was though because I came back in early Sep and the shedding started in mid to late Oct. I went and saw a trichologist at a hair clinic in VA and he took a look at my scalp through some microscope thing and said I had too much sebum being secreted. He had me get these DHT blocking shampoo and conditioners and a vitamin that apparently has saw palmetto in it. I've been trying it for almost 2 weeks now and when I shower it seems to help, a lot more then the Nioxin which didn't work at all, but it still hasn't let up. This shedding is the worst, I keep finding hair everywhere. I hugged my brother on Christmas and when I pulled away there was one of my hairs dangling off his beard! Do you know if taking a multivatamin with iron will help control it? Thanks for responding to my story, I appreciate the support. As far as stress goes I haven’t had anything traumatic or life threatening happen, no surgeries or anything like that. The only thing stressful has been buying a house, I travel a lot for my job and I was in Australia when all the paperwork and loan application stuff was going on. The 3 days it took to get back was stressful but I wouldn’t think enough to cause such a severe physical reaction like this shedding. I am sort of hoping that it was though because I came back in early Sep and the shedding started in mid to late Oct.

I went and saw a trichologist at a hair clinic in VA and he took a look at my scalp through some microscope thing and said I had too much sebum being secreted. He had me get these DHT blocking shampoo and conditioners and a vitamin that apparently has saw palmetto in it. I’ve been trying it for almost 2 weeks now and when I shower it seems to help, a lot more then the Nioxin which didn’t work at all, but it still hasn’t let up.

This shedding is the worst, I keep finding hair everywhere. I hugged my brother on Christmas and when I pulled away there was one of my hairs dangling off his beard! Do you know if taking a multivatamin with iron will help control it?

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