Any help with hair loss dues to low iron and PV

[Woodcut]

Hi All,

I was diagnosed with PV about 4 years ago and recently started on Hydrea (1 x 500mg tab daily). I have tolerated it really well but have some hair loss. I always had hair loss due to low iron but since taking the Hydrea it's got worse.

Just wondering if anyone has any tips on ow to promote /stop hair loss while having PV?

Thanks!

[hunter5582]

Both low iron and HU can cause alopecia. The only way I know of to resolve the issue is a different treatment plan that does not involve venesection-induced iron deficiency nor hydroxyurea. There are other treatment options to pursue should you feel that is indicated.

I have done much better on the interferons (Pegasys/Besremi) than HU. Besremi has been much easier to tolerate, more effective, and I do not need to rely on venesections any more as I did when taking HU. I feel better now than I did before I started treatment with interferons. I can let my iron levels come up while maintaining a complete hematologic response.

Another option worth considering is Jakafi if you are interested. We are all different in how we respond to each of our choices. You are the only one who can decide which choice is right for you.

[ainslie]

Some people find taking Biotin can help, maybe worth a try , Hunter has covered the changing meds option. The only thing I would add to that is some on Peg also found hair thinning. As far as hair goes Rux is fine, in fact it is used in low doses to treat certain types of alopecia but my personal view is although hair can be very important especially to females ( are we allowed to say that these days?) it is perhaps wiser to chose the best meds for the MPN as opposed to hair.

[Exeter21]

I had hair loss on Hydroxy which stopped once I changed to Peg Interferon & hair grew & strong again . Julia 👍

[Nikon7]

when I switched from HU to Besremi I noted my hair seemed a bit thicker after a year on Besremi and the hair on my legs started to grow back. I suppose shaving one’s legs again is a small price to pay for a thicker mop. 😉

[Limitpusher]

In Nov 2017 I was diagnosed with PV and refused Hydrea until 2021 I had hairloss from low iron from the therapeutic phlebotomys and now from the Hydrea, I take 500 mg 2 x per day. I used to take Biotin orally but what I find out helps is washing my hair less often. I used to wash minimum one time a day and if I worked out 2 times a day, my daughter in law told me she used this cheap shampoo from walmart and it helped thicken her hair and I have used it for over a year and I wash hair Mon Wed and Fri unless I play in a tournament and get sweaty on Saturdays I wash before church on Sundays. I use the conditioner too. It used to be $3.95 a bottle but looks like prices went up, not sure why on the web it says $35 some places but I think currently walmart sells for $7.95 per bottle. There are lots of collagen and biotin supplements to take to, I just have so many supplements and meds I take I get sick of popping bills and I have to wash my hair anyways

Shampoo $7.95 32 oz

[Woodcut in reply to Limitpusher]

Thanks for answering everyone! I agree with less washing. I've also found the loss has reduced as I've settled into taking the hydrea a little. I'll check with my doc about the hair tablets mentioned. Agree with all that the meds are more important than hair but I'm still a 47 year old female and if I can help keep some hair that would be a big win!

Thanks again!

[Spanelmad]

You will have to check this with your Heam but you might be able to take Viviscal (this includes biotin, xinc ,marine protein complex,vit c,niacin,iron,whitetail extract and millet seed extract) helps with hair growth.