Supplements (Biotin, L-Lysine, etc)

[Elissa]

My list:
-Iron (Slow FE)
-Copper
-Biotin
-L-Lysine
-Multivitamin

Just curious who else here is taking supplements and which ones. I recently started taking Biotin and L-Lysine one month ago (both were recommended on the WHLP blogs and I asked my derm if I can take). I have no idea if either of these will really help at all.. I tried researching both online and couldn't find any evidence of either helping with hair growth or preventing hair loss, but I am trying them anyway.

The only info I could find on L-Lysine is that is is normally recommended to prevent herpes cold sore outbreaks. Can't find literature on it helping hair. And the Biotin is usually recommended for nails and not hair. (Even the Biotin I bought at the hair loss specialist's office is marketed toward NAIL growth and doesnt make any mention of hair on the box!)

Am I just putting too much faith in these supplements, or does anyone have any positive results with these? If anyone has any articles or info or research on Biotin or L-Lysine helping with hair, please share!

So far all I notice is my nails are stronger ;)

I am also taking Iron and Copper supplementation for low iron/ferritin levels and copper deficiency. It's going to be hard to figure out what is working and what isn't since I started so many things at around the same time! (I also started a multivitamin).

[TPROSE]

My list:
-Iron (Slow FE)
-Copper
-Biotin
-L-Lysine
-Multivitamin

Just curious who else here is taking supplements and which ones. I recently started taking Biotin and L-Lysine one month ago (both were recommended on the WHLP blogs and I asked my derm if I can take). I have no idea if either of these will really help at all.. I tried researching both online and couldn't find any evidence of either helping with hair growth or preventing hair loss, but I am trying them anyway.

The only info I could find on L-Lysine is that is is normally recommended to prevent herpes cold sore outbreaks. Can't find literature on it helping hair. And the Biotin is usually recommended for nails and not hair. (Even the Biotin I bought at the hair loss specialist's office is marketed toward NAIL growth and doesnt make any mention of hair on the box!)

Am I just putting too much faith in these supplements, or does anyone have any positive results with these? If anyone has any articles or info or research on Biotin or L-Lysine helping with hair, please share!

So far all I notice is my nails are stronger ;)

I am also taking Iron and Copper supplementation for low iron/ferritin levels and copper deficiency. It's going to be hard to figure out what is working and what isn't since I started so many things at around the same time! (I also started a multivitamin).

Hi Elissa!

I too have not found proof that Biotin really helps hair, but the latest doc I went to told me to take 8mg daily.Lysine is proven to help iron absorption in some women who would not be able to absorb iron otherwise.

I have been taking iron inconsistently. I take Carlson's fish oil and cod liver oil every day. I also take probiotics every day too! I take a b12,b6,folic acid combination lozenge 2 times a day.

I am waiting on any other supplementation until the results of micronutrient test comes in.

[VictoriaG]

Hi Elissa, I take the same as you, except for the copper. I find the biotin makes my nails and hair grow faster, but it doesn't make new hair grow. L-lysine is an amino acid that is supposed to help with hair health. I take it at the sme time as my slow FE, with a source of vitamin C.

[TEforMe?]

I am currently taking as recommended by the "Hair Loss" Derm:

Iron
Vitamin C

On my own:
Multivitamin
Evening Primrose Oil
Biotin

I plan on adding:
L-Lysine
Saw Palmetto

[kawawa]

I tried a few of these supplements over the years, but honestly and sorry to say, nothing worked for me.

I searched and searched for natual remedies in the form of shampoos, creams, vitamins and such. My doctor was no help!

I truly believe that if there was a "cure" we would know it here first. I know that I have been on other forums and we are all trying the same stuff, but I don't see any real success stories. I do see remissions and regrowth in some women, but sadly they always seem to come back once it starts again.

I sort of had the ups and downs over the years with HL. I just looked at the ups as an opportunity of feel a little happier for a while.

I was spending $40 a month on Biotin, $20 on Rogaine, $30+ on other supplements and about $90 every six weeks for Demi color and haircuts, so when I decided to get my bonded topper the cost was minimal. I now pay $199 for everything and use normal shampoo and I have hair. Too Cool!

I don't mean to be negative this was just my experience and my observations from reading hundreds of posts by other women.

[TPROSE]

I am taking so much more now:

In the early morning (7-8 am) I am taking:

Licorice Plus (2 pills) by Metagenics (http://www.metagenics.com/products/detail.asp?pid=168)

Iodoral (1 pill) by Optimox
(http://www.optimox.com/pics/Iodine/opt_Iodoral.htm)

In the mid morning (10-11 am) I am taking:

1-2 Bio-Kult --- a probiotic (http://www.bio-kult.com/)
400 mg mixed tocopherols (vitamin e)
B12-2000 Lozenge by Biotics Research (their site is down)
N-A-C or N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (2 pills/1000mg) (precursor to Glutathione) by Jarrow Formulas

At 4pm and 8pm I take Adreset by Metagenics (1 pill) http://www.metagenics.com/products/detail.asp?pid=211

By the end of the day, I need to make sure I have taken 4 Bio-Kult, 2000 mg of Glutathione, and supplemental zinc (I am currently taking Zinc Drink by Metagenics).

The Licorice Plus and Adreset are for my adrenals ("prescribed" by a doctor....anyone can buy them though)

My other supplementation is based on the suggestions given to me by the lab that conducted my microntutrient test, which I blogged about a couple weeks ago.

My doctor is also going to experiment with me by giving me a small dose (1/2 grain) of Nature-Throid, desiccated thyroid to see if that helps with energy and hair.

Any questions or if you are curious about anything, let me know!!!!!

[Ashah]

Hi TPROSE... I would like to know if your regimen is helping your hair? Were you diagnosed with a thyroid condition? Thanks!

[TPROSE]

Hi TPROSE... I would like to know if your regimen is helping your hair? Were you diagnosed with a thyroid condition? Thanks!

Hi Ashah,
This a new regimen for me, so it has not helped. I was not diagnosed with a thyroid condition officially. My bloodwork does not indicate one. But that does not mean that I do not have one. The doctor is putting me on a small dosage to see if it helps my energy levels and other issues that point to a possible thyroid condition. I'll keep you posted!
Tracy

[ShinyObjects]

Hi,

I just wanted to share as over the last few years I've tried Quite a lot of random herbs, vegatables, minerals, a few animals ;), with varying levels of success.

Unfortunately I can't take iron pills, they make me Ridiculously hungry, and I can do without being overwieght as well as balding!
I don't really think iron has anything to do with my hair loss anyway, I give blood and they always say my iron levels are fine.

I take (currently):
Biotin 3mg - not much but it just helps hair grow faster and possibly a little thicker, no amazing re-growth tricks!
35mg Horsetail Extract- rich in silica which again helps hair growth, not re-growth, also has antioxidants in apparently, but I doubt they do much!
10mg Panthenol- There are a few studies saying this + various things causes hair re-growth, nothing dramatic so far for me I must say, but a possible improvement? If not it definitely seems to make my hair look healthier/shinier.
200mg Reservatrol & 50mg Curcumin Extract - read about this on a "male" forum and someone said it alleviated their shedding, this is the main focus of my "attack plan" as I didn't want to carry on taking DHT inhibiting supplements, and since going from saw palmetto to these two my hair loss has definitely stayed stable and manageable, not getting worse at any rate.

I'm always up for trying something for a few months, so if anyone has a plan please share!
I wanted to know anyon'es opinion on IgG? It seems to be creeping into certain branded products, but I can't find out why, or if it'll do any good!

[VictoriaG]

Hi - I am very interested about what you wrote in regard to iron, that it makes you hungry. I started taking slow FE a little over 2 months ago, and I actually find myself wanting to eat all the time - and thinking about it, it seems to have started around that time! Thank you for giving me something to blame it on!!

[Ashah]

ShinyObjects, thanks for the info, I had not heard of the reservatrol and curcumin. That's really interesting. I'm taking about 300mg of saw palmetto (I just upped my dosage) so can't really say if it's helping yet. I also just started on Viviscal (thank you Kawawa for the suggestion!) so will post back if I see any results from this. I also take l-lysine, biotin, and some other supplements. My derm recently prescribed Spiro for me but Im hesitant to start it.

[ShinyObjects]

Haha, it's always nice to have something to put the blame on! I'm not sure it does it for everyone, but for me it was definite, 2 weeks after starting it I found myself either eating or thinking about food constantly. It was fun, but not a great idea for my waistline!

[lorihutch13]

I noticed when I started taking natural hormones, my hair loss starting to improve. We will see if hormones are the culprit. I am 39y.o. and perimenopausal.

[ShinyObjects]

I guess if hormones caused the problem, hormones can help as they all inter-link somewhere along the line.

There have been suggestions that various oral contraceptives (i.e. hormones) have stopped hair loss in a few people, and prolonged the anagen phase in others (paper extract here (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18690941?ordinalpos=4&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsP anel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum))

But other people report that contraceptives can cause hair loss, or stopping contraceptives caused hair loss, so I'm a bit confused!:(

What are you taking and where from?

[Ashah]

Lori - what type of natural hormones do u take if u don't mind me asking? I had read that natural bioidentical progesterone cream had helpedsome women with hair loss but not sure if they were menopausal or not. Thanks!

[Klutzys]

I noticed when I started taking natural hormones, my hair loss starting to improve. We will see if hormones are the culprit. I am 39y.o. and perimenopausal.

I know my hair loss has been hormonal brought on by birth control pills. Thought I'd share my story in case it will help others.

Started my birth control pills Ortho Novum 777-28 in Dec. 1986 after the birth of our daughter. Took the same pill until 1996 when I ran out and could not get in to see a new doctor (my gyno moved out of state) for 3 months. My hair fell out for the 3 months straight. It was thin all over to the point that my almost 10 year old daughter pointed out in a dairy queen, Momma I can see your scalp. That was so embarrassing to me.

Once I got back on the Ortho Novum 777-28 my hair stopped falling out within weeks and it took about 6 months for my hair to fill in a little all over. The only place that stayed thinner than it originally was is my temples.

Fast forward to today 2010. My gyno decided to change birth control to Loestrin 1/20. I am 43 and she said it would help me ease into the change when it happens. Okay, no problem I thought, just take a new pill. It took me 3 months of loosing hair all over and my daughters wedding for me to realize I had lost a lot of hair again. What the hey!!!! Then like a bolt of lightening I remember my hair loss in 1986 and stopping my birth control pills caused the problem. So I did a search on the type of pill I was taking and was shocked to find that not all pills are the same when it comes to possible hair loss.

So my search found me this article:
The American Hair Loss Association recommends that all women interested in using oral contraceptives for the prevention of conception should only use low-androgen index birth control pills, and if there is a strong predisposition for genetic hair loss in your family we recommend the use of another non-hormonal form of birth control.
Below is a list of birth control pills ranging from lowest androgen index to highest:

Desogen, Ortho-Cept, Ortho-Cyclen, Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Micronor, Nor-Q D, Ovcon-35, Brevicon/Modicon, Ortho Novum 7/7/7, Ortho Novum 10-11, Tri-Norinyl, Norinyl and Ortho 1/35, Demulen 1/35, Triphasil/Tri-Levien, Nordette, Lo/Ovral, Ovrette, Ovral, Loestrin1/20, Loestrin 1.5/30.



Notice my old BC pills are at the top of the list Ortho Novum 777, meaning they are low in androgen and that is why I don't loose my hair with them. But 2nd to the bottom on the list is my new pill Loestrin 1/20, which means it's VERY high in Androgen. This new pill caused my hair loss.


I went back to the gyno and asked to be put back onto my old pills and told her why. She didn't balk or even ask questions so she must have heard of this before.



So I am on my 2nd week of my old BC pills, hair has stopped falling out, now lets just pray that it grows back in because this time I am not a youngin anymore :(



Anyway, it is true that hair can fall out when you STOP taking birth control pills and it CAN fallout taking birth control pills. Only in my case it depends on the pill.


Hope this helps.


PS I noticed others taking vitamins and suppliments such as Resveratrol. I bought 3 bottles of Resveratrol and had to stop taking them because they upset my stomach. I have 2 bottles, sealed unopened, if anyone is interested. They don't expire until 4-11.


Just send me an email klutzys at gmail dot com


Tam

[saratee]

Not sure if anyone has used Perfectil Plus. A friend saw good results so I just ordered it online. It has the following ingredients.. It's kinda expensive (32 for a month's supply) which is my only concern at this point:


Vitamin D (D3 200 IU) 5 mcg 100
Vitamin E (Natural Source) 40 mg 400
Vitamin C 60 mg 100
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) 8 mg 571
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 4 mg 250
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 18 mg 100
Vitamin B6 10 mg 500
Folic Acid 500 mcg 250
Vitamin B12 9 mcg 900
Biotin 45 mcg 30
Pantothenic Acid 40 mg 667
Iron 12 mg 86
Magnesium 75 mg 25
Zinc 15 mg 100
Iodine 200 mcg 133
Manganese 0.5 mg --
Copper 1 mg --
Chromium GTF 50 mcg --
Selenium 100 mcg --
Cystine 10 mg --
Natural mixed carotenoids 2 mg --
Grape Seed Extract (95% proanthocyanidins) 15 mg --
Omega 3 Fish Oil Providing: 300 mg --
DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) 150 mg --
EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) 30 mg --
Lutein Esters 6 mg --
Starflower Oil 200 mg --
Blackcurrant Seed Oil
Together providing: 50 mg --
Omega-6 Fatty Acids 121 mg --
Lycopene Extract 6 mg --
Co-enzyme Q10 5 mg --

[Infinity]

The only supplement I am trying again is Silica, aka Horsetail. My hair loss slowed down a bit, but I didn't think it was from the silica. I ran out about 3 weeks ago, and now my hair is falling off, even when tightly woven into a braid! Go figure! Has anyone here tried silica? Results?