Is anyone experiencing extreme hair loss? - Early CKD Support

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Is anyone experiencing extreme hair loss?

Ddd4 profile image
Ddd4
9 Replies

I'm losing tremendous amount of hair all over. And by that, I meant I'm nearing bald with empty large patches! I've seen a couple nephrologists; one said it's caused by proteinuria (which I'm doubtful, as my serum protein & albumin are normal. And my proteinuria is in control, however my hair loss continues!), others said CKD wouldn't cause this extreme hair loss, and it's not common in any patients! Is anyone also having this problem? I'm only 34 and I'm a female. It's really upsetting to lose hair like this in a matter of months.

(My iron, TSHs, haemoglobin & vitamins are also all normal!)

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Ddd4
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9 Replies
MAS_Nurse profile image
MAS_Nurse

Hello Ddd4 and welcome. I'm sorry to hear about your hair loss. As you say this is very upsetting and I'm sure its very difficult to manage.

Unfortunately many long term or short term health conditions may cause a weakening or damage to the hair. Specific to CKD you may find the information on the attached link helpful.

davita.com/education/kidney...

I'm sure that our supportive community will share their experience and wisdom also.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you are getting on.

MAS Nurse & Moderator

Bassetmommer profile image
Bassetmommer

HI Ddd4,

Losing your hair is very hard, I know. Do you take any other drugs for other conditions. I was surprised to learn that a medicine I was taking was impacting my hair and I would never have thought it would. I have had other drugs also change my hair volume. I have very long thick pale reddish blond hair and as I have aged, it also has changed. But getting off the med that was impacting my hair made the biggest difference.

Also, diet can impact you hair. Do you consume enough vitamins and minerals. This is where a dietician can help you.

Another big item of impact is stress. But I bet you know that.

Have you been tested for alopecia? It is actually an autoimmune disease.

aad.org/public/diseases/hai...

madonbrew profile image
madonbrew

Hi, funny you should say that...I was just saying to my mum the other day that my hair keeps coming out in clumps. I have really thick hair and it doesn't sound anywhere near as dramatic as yours,however I am definitely noticing it! My egfr is around 33 at the moment, but similar to you,everything else seems to be ok. I'm 40.

Most of my meds are actually asthma related...lots of them. Hmm,I don't know the answer!

Lynndeb profile image
Lynndeb

I'm sorry you're struggling with this, it can be soul destroying. I suffered prolonged and severe stress a few years ago, lost 14lbs within a 3 month period and then my hair began to shed. It was all put down to stress. I continued to lose weight, despite increasing my calorie intake and my hair continued to shed. My bloods showed normal.

However, after a couple to trips to A & E last year it was confirmed that I have hyperthyroidism. Since medication began I have regained almost 14lbs and my hair has stopped shedding and is beginning to thicken up again. My thyroid levels had been checked previous to the A & E visits, but not the full panel.

Also, despite your bloods being within range, they may still not be at optimum level. I'm no expert, just sharing my story, but it's all worth looking at. I wish you luck.

Sally10255 profile image
Sally10255

Hi, I am

very sorry. When I was hospitalized with pneumonia and rheumatic fever, I was extremely sick. 3 months later I started losing my hair. My skin also peeled like I had been burnt. I was told if one’s body is extremely sick, the hair and skin shuts down to heal. I lost about 89% of my hair..devastating. I was told there wasn’t much to do but let it run its course. It was basically dead.

Rkgaither1954 profile image
Rkgaither1954

Yes! I have been loosing my hair for the past several months! Bad!! I can not believe how much hair just falls out! I wash my hair every other day and between what comes out with washing and after combing, is so scary! I’d say I’ve lost at least 1/4 of my hair already! I also itch really bad and I have blisters all over my scalp. So I don’t know if the hair is coming out where the blisters are or what. So yeah! This CKD sucks so bad! I’m at stage 3b according to my test results but am feeling more like I’m at end stage renal failure. I’m 64

Bubreg profile image
Bubreg

HI, I had high proteinuria since Dec 2018, and long story-short I was starting prednisone high dose after the kidney biopsy, and notice my hair loss was very much, and I started healthy diet, and taking vitamins A, E, D3 and I was already taking B12 and Zinc, eating a lot of veggies, no sugar etc. It took 6 good months and my hair stop failing, now it is only few hairs at the time of washing or brushing, I am washing hair every 3rd day. I am still on prednisone right now (second round) and will be another month or so, since nephrologist told me this time I Have to be on it for 6 months and hope that my proteinuria will not come back like first time after only month and half being on prednisone. All of my other labs are (were) always normal, just 3+ protein in urine before I started prednisone. Right now have no proteins in urine and wish to stay like that when I stop taking meds. This is my story so good luck to you, I know I had some stress also at that time and now trying to not worry as much and relax. Stay positive!

Chance15 profile image
Chance15

Hi there vitamin D can cause that or alapecia I hope this helps.

Chance

MrsP70 profile image
MrsP70

I had this problem with statins and Bp meds are you taking any sort of medicines? Its very distressing i have fine thin hair anyway , hope you can get to the bottom of things soon. I had to stop the tablets

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