Hair Loss on Repeat
Since many of you share my journey with hair loss, I decided to throw back the curtain on my recent struggles. After 18 months of regrowth and fuller hair, it’s falling out again and I’m freaking out trying to control my upset. I’m still using Rogaine morning and night so shudder to think how much faster it would be coming out without it but…. argh!!
Let me preface this by saying I am not a medical professional nor do IÂ play one on TV. I’m simply sharing what I’ve learned from personal experience.
Last year I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease, which frequently occurs in middle aged women and can cause hair loss. It sounds horrific but it’s simply an auto immune condition which causes my body to attack my thyroid. It frequently goes undiagnosed because many doctors only check your TSH level.
My Hashimoto’s was discovered by looking at the ratio between my TSH and my T4. Both of those test results were in normal range and my primary care doctor said I was fine. I knew something was off so I saw an Endrocronologist who discovered the imbalance and adjusted the level of thyroid medicine I was taking, bringing me back in balance. We have to check my levels every 6 months because they can easily go out of range.
In June I noticed more hair in my comb than usual. By July there was no mistaking the thinning so I made an early follow-up appointment to see my endocrinologist and had my blood tests redone. They all came back in range. How’s that possible? You’d think that would make me happy but I almost wished they were off so she could adjust my thyroid medication and my hair would stop falling out.
When I asked why my hair was falling out she said it’s seasonal alopecia and there is nothing that can be done about it. That was fun to learn, not!! I know what alopecia is, my husband has it and is bald. Apparently, if you have one autoimmune condition (Hashimoto’s) you are more likely to develop another one. Alopecia is an autoimmune condition.
I’m fighting the good fight but will need to cut my hair shorter to keep the straggly appearance to a minimum. I have no idea how long this fall out cycle will last so I’m preparing to roll with the punches. Luckily I like to wear hats which will help keep my confidence intact.
Please, ladies, if you are struggling with hair loss, weight gain, anxiety, depression, feeling cold, etc…I urge you to get a full Thyroid panel done and have an expert compare the ratio of your results. One test alone may miss a correct diagnosis.
Have you ever struggled with hair loss?
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
You look good on hats!!!
Thanks Becky!
So sorry to hear of your struggles with hair loss. For us women, our hair is such a big part of our identity. I share your pain. Lucky for you that you look so fabulous in hats!
Thanks Margot! It’s definitely tough on the self confidence.
I think your your hair looks fantastic and have saved a number of your pictures to take to the salon with me. I love your style and color and think you look amazing. I feel we are always too hard on ourselves and see flaws that others never even notice.
I love checking out your new blog post and always look forward to seeing your stylish post!
Thanks for the encouragement Kathleen!
Jennifer, thank you so much for this post. You really gave me a lot of food for thought, and ideas for questions to run my my doctor, because I had honestly never heard the term ‘seasonal alopecia’. I was having noticeable hair loss back in January and I went to speak with my dermatologist who only said (as a matter of fact) that it was normal hair pattern loss and also suggested rogaine and viviscal, which I have not tried. The shedding subsided and then I started to see some new hair growth, but now in August I am experiencing the shedding again. I have been taking biotin and using volumnizing mouse and root lift and anything that can give me a little extra volume, so you don’t see so much of my scalp. I will definitely be asking more questions at my next Dr visit. Have you ever considered clip in top hair piece…..definitely something on my radar.
It’s on my radar now too, Donna. The Rogaine is terrific so I would give it a try! Good luck.
I have no thyroid…..lost it to cancer……and took synthoid for many years. My hair loss was increasing, so my doctor prescibed Armour Thyroid. It is very difficult to get and expensive….but not impossible. It is very old fashioned and is natural……from a pig. It has both T3 and T4. There was a class action suit against Synthroid…and I received a check for $100 from the settlement. Ask your doctor about Armour….worth a try.
I will ask her, Ruth! Thank you so much for sharing.
Very informative post, Jennifer. I’m six months ahead of you on the Hashi’s diagnosis. I’ve permanently lost hair at my front hairline. Luckily, I wear bangs but they are starting farther back. If I may, I would add that a functional medicine doc may be able to run a more thorough thyroid panel. My endo said she wasn’t “allowed” to run every test I wanted due to insurance restrictions. I hope your seasonal problem is short lived! Thanks for bringing hair loss out in the open. It’s a big issue.
Thanks for sharing with us Terry. So many of us are struggling with this and it’s time we all put our heads together (pun intended) to help each other.
I, too, have thinning hair due to thyroid issues. (Thank you so much, Jennifer, for being transparent about agng issues. Just look at how many women you have touched with your stories.) I wear hats and caps a lot, but I wanted a different approach for more formal, indoor occasions. Thanks to Catherine from Atypical60.com my attitude about hairpieces was changed. I now use a “topper” on occasion. Catherine is funny and irreverent and completely open about her hair issues. I get many compliments on my hair when I wear the little topper and my friends are surprised when I tell them it is “helper hair.” I did purchase the topper at a shop and the stylist worked with me to cut and thin it to my specifications.
I looked into toppers 2 years ago and know they are life savers!! So much cooler than an entire wig and virtually undetectable.
Jennifer – than-you for writing about this. I started struggling with hairloss in my twenties (I’m now 58). My hairloss wasn’t the diffuse type that’s typical for women, but rather mimicked the hairloss my brother and father both experienced – pronounced recession in the temples. Not a good look on me! I have very fine hair, so hairloss of any kind was both noticeable and hard to disguise. In my forties I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid and started on medication for that. It’s been an ongoing struggle but about five years ago I started used the men’s Rogaine (5%) in the foam format. Twice a day, religiously, I apply it to vertical parts across my crown – from temple to temple. I rub it in as I apply it and, when I’ve finished applying it, I flip my head over and vigorously massage my scalp. To my utter amazement, new hair started growing almost immediately and it has continued to grow. My hair became noticeably thicker, allowing me to change up my style. A year ago I was frustrated by the same kind of seasonal alopecia you describe, so I started taking Viviscal supplements. I made a promise to myself to stick with it for six months before making a decision whether or not to continue. Again, I was skeptical, but my hairloss subsided (to within a more normal range) and my hair felt both thicker and healthier. Needless to say, I’ve stuck with it. Rogaine and Viviscal are NOT inexpensive, but they’ve given me real results (unlike the stupid laser comb I invested $1000 in, to no avail!). I also want to say I understand that men’s Rogaine isn’t safe for women who are thinking of becoming pregnant – at my age, this clearly isn’t on my radar! And, one last, comment – I’m currently going through a bit of a shed, which I attribute to – yes, you guessed it – seasonal alopecia! I’m [reasonably] confident it will subside as we head into September, but it’s unsettling nonetheless. All the best to you and to all the women reading your blog who are struggling with hairloss – I totally understand!
Thank you so much Lianne! I’m going out to get Viviscal tomorrow. I’ve been using the 5% men’s Rogaine for several years and was doing ok until lately. It’s a battle and I appreciate all the support here!
I’ve had alopecia on and off and when my health suffers, so does my hair. Hair is such a big thing for women and it’s awful. I’m glad you are bringing this issue to light!! xoxo
It is a big thing for women. So sorry you’re struggling too. I do agree that stress makes it much worse! Xx
I’m so interested in your posts about this issue, thank you so much for writing about it. All my life I have felt that I have been losing lots of hair – I remember being a schoolgirl and finding so many hairs on my blazer at the end of the day. However, when I look at photos of myself in my twenties, my hair looks still looks so thick compared to now. At the moment it’s a long bob, which I am keeping until after we go on holiday in a few weeks – I need to be able to put my hair back in the heat. However, I think I’ll go short again next hair cut. I’ve dabbled with biotin and silica in the past, perhaps I should try those again. But I do think it is also seasonal – there are times when the loss is much more noticeable. Anyway, as I said, thank you for addressing this issue, it helps to know that others also have this problem.
Good luck Patricia and have a great holiday. It does help to hear others suggestions.
I think I’m at the same stage as you are in my hair loss and have taken medicine for my thyroid for 5 yrs. Age 67. My hair has always been baby fine, but the loss of the hair that I do have is concerning. I feel like during times of stress I notice more hair in my comb. We need to de-stress!! Your readers have given me some food for thought.
Me too Kathy! I adore my readers. I dragged myself to a yoga class this afternoon for the first time in years!!
I hope you are able to find a combo that helps. Please keep us posted. I think this may be more common that we know…In the meantime, “You look so good in hats”! I say, “Rock ’em!”
xoxoxo
Thanks Laurie!
I wonder if you have seen a dermatologist? I ask because my dermatologist is very interested in hair loss and most of the patients he sees are women. I see him for other reasons but have attended talks he has given at the clinic. I also see an endocrinologist (thyroid problems), so do understand the role of the thyroid in hair loss. But if you could find a dermatologist who has an interest in hair loss it might give some insight into other causes or parallel treatments. Best of luck anyway!
I hadn’t thought of checking with
my dermatologist, Frances. Thanks for the tip!
My dermatologist is the one who discovered my scarring alopecia which led to a rheumatologist who found a couple autoimmune conditions.
I’m sorry to hear that Terry! Autoimmune conditions seems more prevalent than ever these days.
I too have had this issue. My dr says my thyroid levels are fine. I have since been to my chiropractor, and he has worked with me with dietary supplements. I FEEL better, but still struggling with the hair loss. I started Rosgaine a couple of months ago, and have noticed an improvement since then. I try not to freak out, but still…
It is hard not to freak out when your hair is thinning rapidly. I’ve readjusted all my vitamins too and upped my vitamin D because low levels can cause hair loss.
Hair loss is absolutely bad and after my cancer and several medicine as well as l-thyroxin my docotor recommended “pantovigar“. Have no idea if you may get it in states – but i am so happy with my hair now. I am 63 years and this medicine gave my hair back! Of course you have to be patience, but after 4 months i saw positive results – and now still taking 2 tablets per day,9 months later, my hair looks great. May be also a solution for you?
All the best from here (germany) yours Angela
Thanks for sharing Angela! I just looked and they sell it on Amazon so I will research it further. I’m so happy it helped you.
Jennifer, I’m sorry to hear about your thyroid condition and subsequent hair loss. It’s hard on a woman’s sense of self esteem and self image to see thin hair. I’ve had these struggles, too. ( Although my thyroid issue is due to hypoadrenia.)
One thing that I have found that actually regrew my hair was this combination: I quit all caffeine and even decaf coffee, and began taking 500 mg daily of a supplement called “reduced glutathione”. I can’t promise that it will work for everyone. But about 50% of my lost hair regrew.
I hope you can find a solution.
Take care,
Jeanne
Thank you for sharing with us, Jeanne! I really appreciate it. I’ll definitely look into the glutathione!
I also am on thyroid medication and my hair is thinning. I have added zinc to my nighttime routine and I am taking biotin daily in the morning along with silica. It seems to help and I remain hopeful. I have cut my hair short hoping that helps as well. I have not tried the Rogaine treatment at this point. But I find myself looking at the density of other women’s hair and noticing who is struggling with this issue – there are many!
I am taking Biotin too, Olwyn! The Rogaine helps and I highly recommend it
Is there a Rogaine specifically for women or is just the regular Rogaine the best to use??
My dermatologist suggested regular Rogaine, not the one specifically for women, but I haven’t done so yet. I’ve considered seeing an endocrinologist. I take levothyroxine but have not been told I have Hashimoto’s and don’t really know the difference between that and a low-functioning thyroid. It may be the same thing. I’ve also developed mild vitiligo in the past two years. All are auto-immune disorders. My alopecia is telogen effluvium, mainly in one area, and the regrowth is thin and frizzy, unhealthy looking. It’s hard not to stress over it and that makes it worse!
Stressing does make it worse Beth, I know. Be sure they’re doing the proper Thyroid tests for you.
I use the 5% liquid for men. That’s what my Dr recommended.
I, too, have Hashimoto’s. It was diagnosed about 20 yrs ago (in my early 40s). While I have never experienced hair loss, I do struggle with psoriasis (another auto-immune disease) on my scalp.
I would say to be very careful with your meds. My endocrinologist was specific in prescribing Synthroid and not the generic because she said the generics can be off as much as 10%—a lot when you are managing thyroid hormone levels. Some people tolerate the generic well, but I do not (from experience).
My doctor insists I take non generic as well. That’s the first thing she changed when I began seeing her.
You have done a great service to women everywhere by sharing your personal journey!
I debated sharing such personal info but in the end I decided it might be helpful to others.
So very sorry to hear about Hasimoti disease. Take good care.
Thanks Kathleen!
Hi Jennifer – My name is Victoria and I am 55 years old. My hair is not as thick as it once was and a lot of my hair would fall out when being shampooed. I came across a supplement by Quai (from Sephora) called ‘Thin’ hair supplement for thinning hair. I started taking it about 4 months ago and it really helped me a lot. Now when I shampoo my hair very little falls out compared to what happened before taking the supplement. It took about 2-3 months to see a difference.
I am really happy with the difference. My hair is not like it was when I was in my 20’s but then again, nothing is…however, it is nice not seeing lots of hair going down the shower drain. I just wanted to let you know about the product (I have no monetary interest in the product – just an opinion). Good luck!
Thank you so much Victoria!! I haven’t heard of this and will check it out! I appreciate you sharing it with us.
I checked for this product on the Sephora site and online and it is spelled Ouai (not Quai).