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 I 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!
Thank you for sharing this. I’m fighting the hair loss battle, too. It is such a lonely thing, isn’t it? I’ve gotten very good at wearing hats and am at the stage of considering wigs. I miss my old hair.
There are many good wig options out there, things have come a long way. Good luck!
Thanks to everyone for sharing. I was diagnosed with Grave’s disease (hyperthyroidism) about 5 years ago at age 50. It no doubt was encouraged from the stress of my father’s death & the end of my marriage just after. Hair loss, anxiety, and then weight gain from the meds that were slowing the thyroid, along with menopause… fun! But – the meds seem to have worked (I still have roving levels & get checked every 4 months).
My dermatologist said rogaine was the only real option – but said it could also cause hair to grow in unwanted places – anyone experience that? And has anyone tried the Aveeno series for thinning hair?
I’ve also found that coloring my hair can exacerbate the hair loss. Any war stories on this?
I have hypothyroidism and have been taking levothyroxine for several years. My hair loss started AFTER I began the medication. Sure enough, on the Synthroid website, the manufacturer lists “hair loss” as a side effect of the medication. Most doctors aren’t aware of this side effect, and try to dismiss it. It turns out, hypothyroid can cause hair thinning, and levothyroxine often makes it worse! A dermatologist wasn’t able to help me. Only reducing my levothyroxine medicine to the lowest effective level has helped some.
I did not know that Elle. Medications are necessary evils but we do need them.
I am a bit overwhelmed by all of the Q and A’s! Jennifer, your readers are super. I will be re-reading all of the posts today. So much info. to absorb. It is amazing the similar issues we all have as we age! I look forward to your blog and how informative and uplifting your subject matter is. I never know what your subject will be but I know I will genuinely feel better after I read it. Yes, Catherine is a riot!
I’m a late bloomer, already 77. I have been watching my thin hair disappear gradually. Last year I started wearing hair pieces and wigs whenever I left the house. It made me feel more presentable, but I just don’t feel like i look like “me,” because it’s just a lot more volume than my natural hair. However, my scalp started itching so bad that I decided to stop using fake hair for awhile. I lose hair every day, and you can easily see my scalp through the little bit of hair. I have always worried about losing my bangs that always helped my appearance, and they are no longer framing my face, just a sorry reminder. I am still willing to try Rogaine as recommended by you, Jennifer, and many of your followers. One of the posts, written by a dermatologist, is a little discouraging though, as it recommends to go DO something before it’s too late. I’m afraid it may be too late for me because of my age and also due to the fact that the hair loss is so far advanced. (The reason I have waited so long for action were other undiagnosed health problems.). I will be reading these posts again before coming up with a plan. Thank you so much, Jennifer, for addressing this subject in such depth!
I’m so sorry you’re struggling! It is do hard on our confidence. I’m not an expert but I don’t think it can be too late to try Rogaine. It stimulates your hair follicles and will either help or not. Sending you good luck Gudrun. Let me know how it goes.
You look fantastic in a hat!!! Hang in there.
Hi Jennefer,
I remember when you mentioned this in the past, sorry it is happening
again. Once again I want to mention the fabulous little hair pieces that they sell now. The difference is incredible !!! My friend had the large balding part with the small bald area on the top of her head. She purchased a small piece to match her hair and the different is incredible. There is really no need to bothered by this. Go to a good wig shop and let them show you what they have, you will be amazed.
Good luck !!!
Thank you Alison. Those toppers are amazing!! I’ve looked at some and if I need one I won’t hesitate to get one.
I noticed that I one of the side effects with the Men’s Rogain was weight gain. Has anyone experienced weight gain due to Rogain? I was very surprised to read that and now hesitate to start the regimine. Help!
I haven’t noticed any weight gain. I’ll be curious to hear too.
Wow! Just subscribed to your blog and found this post on the sidebar of my first email. I’ll be 67 in April and am tired of the blogs that I had been getting (20 books to read in your 20’s, kale and quinoa smoothies for breakfast, and clothes so destroyed I wouldn’t put them in a rag bin), so this is refreshing.
I had half of my thyroid removed at 40 and have been on Synthroid or levothyroxin ever since. My hair has always been on the fine, thin side and board straight, but a couple of years ago it really started falling out quickly, and my scalp started showing through. My thyroid meds had been increased slightly, which I liked for energy but suspected might be the culprit. My Endo said no, and increased my estrogen meds. (I had a hysterectomy in my 40’s, so it’s not dangerous for me to take estrogen. I know about the study that terrified women, but the 20% increase in risk was actually 1 person more than the 3 out of 1000 the researchers expected to develop a health risk. They increased the study to 5000 women for 20 years–largest women’s study ever–and found there is actually a 20% LESS chance of developing breast cancer for women on estrogen after menopause.) After a year, the hairloss seems to have settled down, but I wonder if I will start shedding again in the spring.
I have light brown hair with a ton of gray in the front that I had been camoflaging with highlights until the highlights were overwhelmed by the gray. Now I use a demi color by Ion (get it at Sally Beauty) in lightest natural blonde (use with the Ion developer for sensitive scalp) on the front half of my head. Leave it in for 40 minutes and then finger comb it through the rest of my hair for 5 minutes. It gives a ton of shine with a little body and tones the gray to look like the best highlights I’ve ever had. It lasts for a couple of months. I have a short bob with layered back and longer sides with swept bangs. Bed Head Totally Baked gives my hair more lift and body than anything I’ve ever used. Ion Luxe shampoo and Smooth conditioner makes my hair feel thicker and “heavy”. I juggle it with Kenra shampoo and conditioner and the occasional Nioxin duo.
There was a notice at my endocrinologist’s office yesterday warning that Biotin would throw off T4 tests, so do remember to stop your vitamins and supplements of Biotin a couple of weeks before your blood tests. He only checked my TSH and T4, so I plan on having my T3 checked next week, as well as my vitamin D and iron levels. I’m going to research the other suggestions. (What a wealth of information on one blog!)
Wish I looked good in caps, hats and scarves like you do Jennifer! Thanks so much for the blog.
Welcome, Donna, I’m so happy you’re here! My thyroid is in constant flux so I get it checked regularly. I have been told one of the problems with taking too much thyroid is that it can affect your bones and make them more porous. I am now wondering if that’s why my femur cracked in 2 places when I tripped on a piece of asphalt. We all help each other and I appreciate you sharing.
The estrogen is good for your bones, too! I have all the indicators for osteoporosis–tall and (used to be) thin, small bones, thyroid meds. So far, no breaks, but scheduled for another DEXA scan this month. Do hope you are fully recovered from tha terrible injury.
My hip acts up often but I’m pushing on because they says I’m nit ready for a replacement. I’m scheduled for another bone density test next month so hopeful is goes well.
Anxious to hear if you tried Viviscal. I am definitely noticing shedding hair everywhere and hoping this product will be helpful.
I just ordered the elastic belt and am anxious to try on my trip too.
I’ve not tried the Viviscal yet. So far the Rogaine is working very well for me and I keep my fingers crossed. I hope you love the belt as much as I do!
Jennifer,
I apologize if another commenter already suggested this, but don’t have time at the moment to read through everything and didn’t want to forgot to post.
Have you tried co-washing?
I’ll try to keep my story brief. I, too, have thyroid issues. To compound that, of course, are aging and menopause. I was also, for a while, on Bupropion, which, when I researched it, said associated hair loss was very rare. And I also tried using Wen for a while because my hair is curly, which at first was fabulous but ended up being a disaster, with a lot of build-up and folliculitis. (There was a class action lawsuit against Wen.)
I suffered with folliculitis for years — itching, sores, dandruff, hair loss, etc. I saw two doctors. I thought I had an infestation of Demodex mites. It was pretty devastating. The medicated shampoo (Ketoconazole) didn’t help me. I was afraid to use hair products.
Then, I read on Amazon that people had used the medicinal soap, Hibiclens, to wash their hair, and that several had had success clearing up their folliculitis and, therefore, hair loss. So, I tried this for a while. It did seem to help but, oh, my poor dry hair … and the itching.
Finally, I decided to try co-washing (using a conditioner as a shampoo) with Trader Joe’s (same as Giovanni’s) tea tree and peppermint conditioner. Voila. After struggling with soooo many remedies, it’s finally over. No more handfuls of hair every day in the drain, no more itching, improved hair, no more dandruff.
When I ran out of the TTO conditioner, I switched to another type of conditioner in my products closet, and things are still good.
So, because I had so many issues at once, and tried so many remedies, it’s hard to say what exactly happened when, but it’s been a while now (almost a year), through several seasons, and I’m still “cured.”
It may be worth a try?
Aging sure as heck is not for wimps, is it?
Best of luck!
Ooooops. I also wanted to mention that I use a product by J Beverly Hills called Volumis that really helps with volume. It’s like a dry shampoo in that you sprinkle a very small amount in your hair and then rub it around to foof up your hair. I love it.
I’m a big fan of using dry shampoo for column too! 🙂
Wow that’s so traumatic Betsy!! I’m glad that’s resolved itself. I’ve never heard of co-washing before. Does it feel like it really cleans your hair?? I’m going to check into this more. Thanks for the tip!
Yes, it does feel clean, and you can do it every day if you’d like. It’s important to give yourself a good fingertip (no nails) massage when the conditioner is on, and, of course, a good rimse.
I’d read about, but hadn’t done it, for so long (it’s a big curly hair thing) because it seemed counterintuitive to me — I had the MP sweats and the sores, so I thought I needed a stronger soap of some kind.
I just did a quick google re hair loss and co-washing, and there are A LOT of different opinions!! As with anything else, it’s very individual. I linked a couple articles below. I never used a “cleansing conditioner,” just a conditioner, and I def stay away from sulfates.
If you try it, I hope it helps!!
http://www.elleuk.com/beauty/hair/news/a32691/what-is-co-washing-and-can-it-damage-your-hair/
https://www.theverge.com/2016/9/11/12864726/hair-products-shampoo-conditioner-science
I have been massaging my scalp and besides feeling great I’ve heard it stimulates hair growth. I’ll give this a shot. Thank so much.
Hair loss is so hard on the self esteem. Mine started in my early thirties. Finally was diagnosed
With hypothroidism at 50! It stopped the loss when I started the Synthroidnbut I never regained
the list volume.
A comment about you Jennifer, you are lovely inside and out. When I read your blog it often makes me smile just because you are so endearing. You have a marvelous personality and I look forward to hearing from you on your blog.
Thank you so much Marta! That means a lot to me. I’m glad they finally diagnosed you properly. Hypothyroidism can be hard on your bone density and eye sight. I’m glad you’re here!