I was diagnosed with seropositive RA in Jan 2024. I have been experiencing hair loss in the past few weeks and wondered if this could be related to RA or the medication I have been taking? I am currently taking sulfasalazine daily, methotrexate tablets weekly, tocilizumab injection weekly and tapering prednisolone. I also take folic acid and ferrous sulfate. And HRT. I feel that I rattle when I move!
Does anyone have advice about how to reduce hair loss or products they are using to help.
I have always had thick wavy hair and am a bit concerned about it thinning. A small thing in amongst the other symptoms but I'm a bit upset about it.
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Womble57
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I had extreme hair loss with MTX and it was stopped. I felt like I was being set on fire and my hair dropped out in handfuls. So talk to your RA helpline it may help to increase folic acid but explain it to them. It does regrow so don't panic.
It was mine that pointed out I'd not thinned but it was clumps. It was years ago and I have a friend who husband is a Pharmacy Oncologist, he told me that some people are extremely sensitive to MTX and although its rarely used and in far lesser amounts in chemo some people had extreme reactions and some none at all. My RA Consultant said the same thing especially as I got the heating up from the tummy to head. It was scary but LEF was then prescribed and it was great. I understand that it's very rare to get this reaction it was very extreme.
mine began to thin out a lot when I first started taking methotrexate. The hospital suggested trying a supplement called Biotin which began to slow the hair loss after 3 months and stopped losing altogether after about 6 months. I took it for a further 12 months then stopped. 5 years on and my hair is still good and I’m still on methotrexate. Good luck.
I'm fairly new to Mtx and mine also falling out, thinning on one side. Rheumy nurse said take 2 folic acid the day after my Mtx. Not sure if it helps but I still have hair albeit thinner and keeping an eye on it.
I have been on 25 mg methotrexate for 25 years. I lost some hair initially and it is thinner than it was but I am certainly not bald and it’s only noticeable to me. Folic acid supplements can help with methotrexate side effects. I take this 6 days a week. Speak to your rheumatologist as there are alternatives to methotrexate if your body is one of the few that react particularly badly to methotrexate.
Methotrexate was the first drug that I was prescribed that significantly improved my life and was a turning point enabling some normality to return.
Hello, I have seropositive RA too and started losing my hair in 2018 when I was taking methotrexate. My hair was always long but I look like a skinhead with patches now...My consultant and GP weren't worried about it (they said it could be the RA, the medication, the stress and or my low vitamin D levels) and as you say, amongst the other things it was the least of my worries but upsetting nevertheless. It saves a fortune on hairdressers and products, its great when I'm too tired to get ready because it saves loads of time, I couldn't lift my arms to brush, wash, dry it anyway and my husband couldn't believe how long it took. Its growing back now and I love the range of headscarves I've got and am not sure if I want to grow it long again. The only downside I have with it now is that my head gets cold, take care ☺️
My wife's hair loss has been attributed to SJS, by our MD. It's quite often a sneaky sidekick to RA. If you have dry eyes, etc. it's something to ask about next visit.
Sjögren's Syndrome. Read up and you'll be better able to relate possible symptoms and ask pertinent questions. My wife uses OTC eye drops (specifically for dry eye) 5X per day, more often if needed to accommodate arid environments (heated spaces in winter, etc.). Best wishes.
I have GCA since July 2023 and now on 9.5 mg. pred. and was on Alendronate (fosomax). I lost about 1/3 of my hair. My rheumy did not think it was from the Alendronate until I showed him the pamphlet that comes in the medication box. It clearly states hair loss as one of the side effects. He agreed to let me be off it for 3 months to see if it would start to grow back. It did start to grow back. I am off alendronate, hoping not break any bones.
I am also now taking liquid Collagen with biotin and my hair is thicker than it ever was. It works for me. Not only good hair but very good nails, they grow long and strong.
Also, I now take the liquid form of calcium with magnesium. Easier than trying to get those horse pills down my throat. I order both the Collagen and Calcium on line.
I would try the liquid collagen/biotin and see if that helps. I found the effects of hair loss on my self esteem harder to take than the moon face. 'Vanity-thy name is woman.'
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