please help!!

[pilar]

lisamarie:

Are you still shedding abnormal amounts of hair? How long have you been shedding and how much do you think you've lost? What was your ferritin when the shedding began? Did you notice a decrease in shedding when you number started rising?

For me I really think it's a combination of ging off the pill/drop in hormones and having such a low ferritin. I'm hoping with time my hair will stop shedding and grow back.

Pilar

[lisamarie001]

Hi Pilar,

The cause of my hair loss (I believe) was taking DHEA. I had thick curly hair and I believe I've lost 2/3 of what I used to have. DHEA is a hormone and I think it just messed up my hormonal system (much like going off the pill). Anyway I was devastated and was soon diagnosed with low thyroid. I began the natural armour thyroid (I read synthetics like synthroid make Hair loss worse) and soon noticed some slowing. However, I was noticing some heart palpitations upon getting up quickly on a low thyroid dose and was guided by another forum that my feritin was low (31) and I needed to raise it which was the cause of the palpitations and possibly hair loss. The palps went away after iron supplementation. Yes, I have been noticing less loss but around period time I notice more, not sure if this is because it will take a few cycles (about 3-4 months after iron is above 70) to notice growth. My hair doesn't LOOK like its thinning any more so I am cautiously happy and not too too worried about the current hopefully normal loss. I will keep you posted after the 3-4 months have passed to let everyone know if my ferritn raising was helpful.

I have also read that those small hairs are due to the low iron but will grow back. Its part of the cycle.

Also, what are you taking for thyroid? Anything?

[pilar]

Hi Lisamarie:

That's great that your shedding seems to be slowing down and you're losing normal amounts. I've been shedding for 8 months now, sometimes I don't even remember what normal shedding was like. How long has it been since you lost 2/3 of your hair? It's so great to hear that your hair doesn't look like it's thinning anymore. That means you've gotten a lot of regrowth.

I'm not taking anything for my thyroid since my levels are good. When I had bloodwork done, the only thing that was off was my ferritin and being severely anemic. By March I was no longer considered anemic and since last month my ferritin went up to 91. But I'm still taking prescription iron. My doctor wants my ferritin above 100.

When did you start taking DHEA supplements and for how long? Do you think the DHEA caused problems with your thyroid? I know all hormones are connected somehow, and it seems if one is off, it can easily disturb the balance of others. How come you started taking DHEA?

Pilar

[lisamarie001]

Hi Pilar,

A boyfriend gave me the dhea, and I took it for about 3 months on and off until teh bottle ran out. He said it worked great for him, better energy, etc. I should've done some research. This whole thing started 3 years ago. I can't believe something I did for about 3 months has affected me for more than 3 years. My hair is very very fine so I will have to wait a long time for fullness from regrowth. Be ptient Pilar, am sure if you take care of yourself you will recover from this. I also take a daily food based multi vitamin, evening primrose oil and biotin,plus extra B vitamins. The hair that is growing is definitely healthier so that is good. I started iron in February so by next February I hope I will be able to tell. At this point i feel I have done everything I can. So we'll see.

I don't think the dhea started teh thyroid issuse because thyroid runs in my family but Idon't thik it helped at all!

[pilar]

Lisamarie:

Was you hair loss diffues and all over your scalp? Or was it noticeable more in certain areas?

From the 2/3 of hair that you've lost, how much have you gotten back so far?

[lisamarie001]

My hair loss was diffuse, all over the head pretty equally. I have noticed regrowth, about 3 inches, small hairs all over but my hair is very fine and I haven't noticed my pony tail getting any thicher yet. I did just raise ferritin to 96 just a few weeks ago so I may not notice anything for a while. Hope his helps.

[kdwmw]

Hi Lisamarie,

Why did you start taking the DHEA? Just curious if your levels were low b/c I recently had my DHEA tested along w/ estradiol, progesterone, testosterone. My DHEA was very low, as well, as my progesterone. I just started w/ progesterone bio identical, but no DHEA yet. My dr. wants to do one thing at a time. Anyway, scary that it made your hair fell out! Don't want to lose anymore hair here! kenna