23 Years Old and lost 25% of hair in one month... need advice please

[IonaSkye]

Hi All, I am new to this, so I am just going to get straight to it. In the last few weeks I have lost about 25% of my hair, it is coming out in clumps in my hands when I touch it. It seems to be coming out all over, very evenly over my scalp.I have been to the doctors and had blood tests and they have all come back fine. I also had a scan for polycystic ovaries, the scan did some that my left side is polycystic, but my hormone levels came back normal so they do not think it is due to that. The dermatologist that I saw last week, wasn't very helpful at all. He was a bit rude and I realised when I got home I was more confused after the appointment, then what I was before. I have been prescribed Zinc and Iron ( even though my bloods came back normal). And have been advised to use Minoxidil 5% once daily, which I have been doing for a few days, he also advised to take, hair, nail & skin supplements. I am terrified that I will be bald before the end of next month. I don't know why this is happening and don't know how to make it stop. If anyone has advice then please help? I cannot put into words what this is doing to me mentally.

Many thanks

Iona

[butterflyEi]

I am at the other end of the age range but I totally understand the impact it has on your mental wellbeing. It is not something we consider ever happening in the female population we are more accepting of it in the male population as we see so much more male baldness on TV. The only thing for me has been time to get used to it and the use of wigs and soon I hope a topper.

I take zinc as I was found to be deficient but it is a more difficult test for them if you are borderline perhaps. I do not take iron as I have other underlying problems where it is contraindicated.

I sourced my minoxidil 5% from Kirkland in the States as they are cheaper than the pharmacy. I am sorry your specialist was such a brute but he seems to have recommended much the same treatment to you as my specialist has for me. Your "handle" suggests you may be Scottish and I wonder if you are on facebook you might like to look at the Alopecia UK page where there is a lot of chatter they also have a separate page on wigs also their website is very good. When you start the minoxidil you will get additional shedding, that is the stage I am at now, and then it is supposed to help regrowth.

I do so empathize with you and hope you will soon find your feet again.

Best wishes

[IonaSkye in reply to butterflyEi]

Thank you so much for that, it is good to know. I am yes but live in England, I don't have a facebook account but have read that the volume of the chat on there is a lot higher and might be helpful so I may actually consider it. It was more his attitude and unwillingness to answer my questions that was hard really. I find it comforting know others have been given the same advice though, thank you so much.

[Mamamia123]

Hi I suffered from rapid hair loss starting in dec and have now lost most of my hair. I bought a wig and had it cut very similar to my own style. In fact I have never had so many compliments on my ‘hair ‘ Due to the wait on the nhs I paid private to see a dermatologist that specialised in hair and scalp problems. He put me on steroids to try to kick start hair growth and my hair appears to be regrowing 🤞🏼He also advised trying to reduce stress and practice mindfulness. My zinc and biotin was on the low side of normal and so I take supplements for these as well. It may be worth trying a different consultant. Good luck.

[IonaSkye in reply to Mamamia123]

Thank you for that, I have not heard of my steroid drugs to help actually! I think I may end up needing to get a wig but am worried it will fall off? I am trying to do that too, not get stressed or overthink things. I already meditate and will try and do it more often to reduce my stress as my work can get pretty manic. Do you use any particular shampoo and conditioner?

[Mamamia123 in reply to IonaSkye]

Hi I did buy loads of different shampoos and conditioners but as the problem is that my hair is stuck in shredding mode they did not really help. The wig I got feels very secure for day to day living but am a bit nervous about exercising in it and so I tend to wear a cap for that. Suggest when the Coronavirus restrictions are lifted you go to a proper wig shop to try for size and what suits you. I bought one just in case but decided to wear it straight away so that people would not see me with thinning hair and then suddenly a full head of hair. It is difficult to deal with but I have this mantra that I tell myself- I am not in any pain, not dying from this and a lot of poorly people would gladly swap places!

Chin up x