hair loss with tacrolimus

[transplantwarrier]

tacrolimus is making my hair thin so much, has anyone else experienced this and can recommend anything?

[Rocknlily]

Yes! Mine is worse at some times, comes and goes. I like the shampoo by OGX "THick and Full with biotin and collagen." My multivitamin has biotin in it. I would check with your doctor to make sure. I don't know your full medical history.

[AndrewT]

Dear transplantwarrier,

How pleasant to find a Fellow 'Brit', asking about Hair Loss on Tacrolimus. Mine has Thinned, in places, but Fortunately- using 'My' Barbers (known them for years)- it doesn't Notice..... Most people say that I "Have A Good 'Head Of Hair', For My Age" (Just 61, if your wondering).

Personally I'm NOT, Too Convinced, about these 'Caffeine/ Hair Restorer Shampoos', the Evidence isn't 'that' conclusive. I don't put much, other than a Good Shampoo, on mine.

All that said I, really do, Understand that 'For A Girl' this is a More Serious Matter. However, as I have said before, IF you are Remaining Well, Clear Of Dialysis and are Stable, Does A Bit OF Hair Loss Really Matter? I mean would/ does a transplantwarrier Really 'Mind'?

You are 'doing' Great, my friend.

AndrewT

[Jayhawker in reply to AndrewT]

agreed! As a female transplant warrior I’d gladly go for a head shave if it comes to that. After all, various female movie stars have sometimes gone that route

Seriously, I’ve experienced hair thinning as well. I’m just 3 months out from my transplant. Thinning hair has been the only “complication” I’ve experienced to date. Frankly I’m thrilled with how well my new kidney is working, how well I’m feeling, and how well the surgery and recovery have gone. I’m definitely not concerned about thinning hair.

That being said, my hair dresser has several ideas she’s going to talk with me about next week. I’m pretty sure I’m going with a short pixie cut. She says shorter cuts may be better for me at this point. Regardless, she’s had several clients who have been through cancer treatments with hair loss erc. She’s up to this minor challenge.

Jayhawker

[ashok5085]

Try redensyl serum.

[HSP1965 in reply to ashok5085]

Hier nergens te koop!

[MerciBeaucoup12]

I was on Tacrolimus for a couple of years and a half and yes -I not only lost a ton of hair, it also considerably thinned out what I have. I haven't used any products in particular but I try to manage the hair loss by not shampooing everyday, not brushing it too aggressively, and minimal styling.

[AENEASavc]

Medications and health issues have been thinning my hair over the course of many years. I am a 78 year old female and received the gift of life one and a half years ago. I’ve worn wigs for at least 15 years. I highly recommend them. Wigs are so common now. They look lovely and are easy to use.

[Jayhawker in reply to AENEASavc]

my 79 year old neighbor wears wigs due to hair loss. She’s talked with me about wig options too. It’s another good solution.

Jayhawker

[mingmiley in reply to AENEASavc]

Proud of you as a 78 years young you go get a transplant! I'm 72 and I don't have a husband to encourage me to get a transplant, and I live by myself.

[MToQ]

Yes, I lost a lot in the first 18 months (4.5yrs post) about half my volume. I still feel like I lose a lot here and there. Fortunately, I had really thick and lots of hair to start with. So it's not too noticeable to most people besides myself and my hairdresser. It was so sad to see how much would fall out in the shower and on my pillow. I use biotin and occasionally some biotin shampoo. I recently started taking nutrafol. But still undetermined. Many of my non transplant friends have had great success with these supplements.

Also, I use silk pillowcases since it causes less friction.

Good luck!

[PostivelyJo]

I lost mine in the first 6-8 months because of Tacro. It came back. Looks fine now. Don’t lose heart . I took Biotin I don’t know if that helped or not .

[neet24]

hey dear actually its common with these medications. I have like long hair below my hips and now it just come till my shoulder.

you can use extension and other things avoid treatments and hair styling. tried shampoos and everything doesn't work for me .

just be strong and be happy atleast you are enjoying your life

i am happy with the fact that i am not on dialysis.

so yea 🤗🤗

[Jayhawker in reply to neet24]

agreed!

[HSP1965]

Vreselijk, ik ook! In 2020 getransplanteerd en heel veel haarverlies en ook de structuur van mijn hart is veranderd; droog, pluizig haar waar geen vocht meer in lijkt te zitten!! Olie en vanalles geprobeerd maar niks helpt.

Nu was ik m'n haren met shampoo en kneed er vervolgens leave-inn conditioner doorheen die je NIET hoeft uit te spoelen.

De volgende dag spuit je je haar een beetje nat en het zit weer goed!

Succes,

Josette

[PiesMadre22]

I have the same problem and I tried Natures Bounty Hais Skin and nails. I started with 4 chews a day and after my hair was better dropped it to 2. I recently dropped them all together and my hair started falling out! On them for life I guess😊

[HSP1965 in reply to PiesMadre22]

Die heb ik ook geprobeerd maar kreeg er hoofdpijn van. Later zag ik dat er natuurlijke kruiden/bloemen inzaten wat ik niet mag na mn transplantatie!

[Ynnep]

Hi transplantwarrier,

I'm so sorry for you. I, too have lost a lot of hair.

I'm almost 4 years post , taking "Hair, Skin & Nails" with absolutely no improvement. I feel sad when I see pictures of me when my hair was so nice.

Please know you are not alone. I feel bad when some folks reply that it's not a big deal. Well it is to you. You have my good thoughts and prayers coming your way. 🙏

[LBatl]

Highly agree with Ynnep!

[BeccaCareGiver]

For about 2 years post her June 2020 kidney transplant my wife had hair loss issues. Gradual at first, but picking up over time and to the point that we bought her two wigs which she wore on infrequent social occasions (because we huddled during COVID and were being very cautious anyway). Her hair gradually improved to the point that I have taken to the hairdresser twice in the last 12 months to get it trimmed. She takes Biotin but it is hard to really know if it what helped. I hear of some people whose hair improves without it, and others who swear by it. We figure, what the heck, if it causes no harm so be it. On the other hand, she swears it has greatly helped her fingernails and toenails. So it is another "your mileage may vary" situation. Good luck!

[Blue-Quilter]

I had the same issue and with the permission of my transplant team, started taking biotin. (I used to have super thick hair, but not since the tacrolimus.) It slowed the loss, but it didn't restore the thickness that had been. However, at my appt with my endocrinologist in January, he suggested I stop taking it as it has been known to skew the lab results of several tests. Specifically, it masked the level of Troponin in a patient's blood, therefore indicating he had NOT had a heart attack when in fact he had. He died shortly afterward. I have heart disease on both sides of my family, so I'm not taking any chances. I stopped the biotin immediately and haven't noticed any significant increase in hair loss. However, I'm no longer on tacrolimus because I was switched to the belatacept infusions four months ago, in October. Best wishes whatever you decide.

[Bax509]

I have thinning hair in part due to genetics and age but it increased significantly following transplant (2021) and use of Tacrolimus. Nothing I've tried works (shampoos, Biotin, washing less frequently, "tonics" recommended by stylists) but TBH I don't know if it's just a losing battle anyway due to my genes etc. When I was younger prior to transplant I tried the female version of Rogaine - there was a minimal response but it made my hair look greasy. I've decided on shaving when I can't disguise it anymore. I can understand that this may be devastating when you are younger but one of the benefits of it at my age is that I don't care as much about what people may think of how I look. I choose different battles I hope you find something that works for you!

[jesselizzard]

It is one month today since my kidney transplant. I was worried about hair loss because I read about it on Health Unlocked. I’m happy to say I haven’t lost any hair and and my hair looks really good. I did buy a hair toppper before my surgery as a just in case but so far I haven’t had the need to wear it. I have long hair so losing hair would be quite noticeable. Hope anyone who is experiencing hair loss, eventually has it grow back. Good luck!

[Parkerbarker]

Yeah I feel you,people commenting on here about you should be glad about new kidney don't get it.Of course being on dialysis sucks but so does then quality of life with these meds too,I was never a vain person didn't really think about aging but in kast 6 months since transplant experiencing every bad side effect from meds ,diarrhea every 2 hours,baysia,dry eyes,dry papery skin that bruises so easily,almost no gain and what left is like straw,wrinkles galore now,I don't even recognize myself and now 6 months in another med change from tacro to beltacept,added back pain,bladder spasm and tiredness again to my life and I'm thinking wtf

[HSP1965 in reply to Parkerbarker]

BOX 👊🏻😔

[Hydrangea2023 in reply to Parkerbarker]

I must agree with your comment about individual who have been fortunate to receive a kidney. After my transplant a year and 4 months ago I also lost all my hair. IT thinned and just fell out. I looked as if I was doing chemo, I was distraught. I just covered my head with a warm head wrap( sold on internet) and was happy to be alive. Often I understand it can be annoying of people to ask, " What happen to You?" as curiosity kill the cat. People fear illnesses and death. Not unusual.

The anti rejection meds which are a shock to your body, pedisone especially can in some individuals result in hair loss. My hair fell out in chunks. It was frightenng but had experience with hair loss as I had chemo years ago for breast cancer. The question many people have especially kidney transplant patient is" will I hair grow back?" In my case yes, perhaps not in everyone case. My transplant team doctors, (who were very young ) I think just graduated from med school explained that the body goes to shock with the experience of transplant surgery. I had a diverticulosis surgery 2 weeks post surgery, 5 round of dialysis on my neck, parasynthesis, during the heaviest period of COVID in NYC, along with an infection on my pelvis bone hip. Again where did that come from? Drs. said many possibilities. I was lucky I never had dialysis prior to transplant. I was in hospital for three months to clear things up then my take home gift was a stoma bag that finally was removed three month later. Did I care about my hair, NO! I am alive. Oh, Yes, almost a year post my kidney transplant, my hair come out silver grey( I am 71 and it 100% curly). I felt like a different person. Loss of how I looked before transplant. That plays with your mind. Color was approved by my doctors. All is good now. anti rejection meds lowered and I am stable. Thanks to the higher power. Hair is important but not everything. Sadly some people have bigger fish to fry. We have to put things in perspective.... We are alive.

[Herewegoagain12]

I'm 6+ yrs post liver transplant and tac has caused my hair to fall out in clumps at times. Now it just gets thinner everyday. I may end up with any hair, but I'm still here.

[Hydrangea2023 in reply to Herewegoagain12]

Appreciate your comment, Read comment before this sent to Here we go again.

[Porter20]

I use biotin daily it really helps. It detangles before drying as well.

[mingmiley]

I read online that Routine brand of shampoo and conditioner is the No 1 product that grows hair, I bought 2, haven't start to use yet.