How many people who suffer with RLS have also experienced significant hair loss?

[Jscottxx57]

I have complete baldness on top of my head, look like a clown. Dr says my hair follicles in that spot are dead due to discoid lupus but wondering if it could also be linked to iron deficiency? I’ve never had a ferritin test, should I?

[YodaDog]

I can't comment on the hair loss issue but everyone who suffers from RLS should have their ferritin tested.

[Hidden]

If you have RLS, as YodaDog says, it eould be a good idea to get your ferritin tested and if it's less than 100ug/L you might benefit from raising it.

I'm afraid it won't help your hair grow back, but it may improve your RLS.

[Goldy700]

Hi Jscottxx57 - I have had significant hair loss and my eyebrows have thinned. I don't have a thyroid condition and my iron is OK. I bought a red light panel (MIR) and FIR ) and use it on my skin and hair - to my delight my eyebrows have grown back and I can see hair

beginning to grow where it wasn't before on my head. I use it for 10 mins a day. Just a thought.

[Mum007 in reply to Goldy700]

Please enlighten us. What is one of these machines. Do you have any links.

[Goldy700 in reply to Mum007]

I got a panel from Amazon for $300 - it is large enough to cover face, hair neck. Here is some general information about red light therapy

webmd.com/skin-problems-and...

[Hidden in reply to Mum007]

I think these devices use infrared (IR) LEDs emitting IR radiation at a wavelength of about 880nm.

I've read a few claims that these devices can aid healing, tissue growth and can help with conditions such as fibromyalgia.

I've not read anything to say they don't work, but then I've not read anything but adverts that say they do work. i.e. no scientific evidence.

There perhaps is some basis for them as it's known that heat (infrared radiation) causes blood capillaries to dilate, thus increasing blood flow to the skin.

Years back, before LEDs were invented IR lamps used to be used for arthritis. I recall an aunt who had it. You could see red skin where she'd had it.

The same effect may increase blood flow to the scalp.

The devices might be worth trying, but there may be other ways of heating your scalp.

The devices are a bit expensive for just a try. I had thought of getting some of the LEDs and making my own device, they're cheap.

I'm not bald though!

Also remember that losing hair is not quite the same as baldness.

[Jscottxx57 in reply to Goldy700]

Thank you so much for info, greatly appreciated.

[Dane74]

I’m shredding like a Labrador, hair is thinning at alarming rate. Was told it’s Ropinerol?

[WideBody]

I had an infusion in Aug of last year, I know supplement with Iron everyday. Surprise, Surprise... my hair is growing back (oh and my fingernails are 10 years younger).

My hair was falling out every time I combed my hair. It is much better now.

I think it would be a good idea to do a fasted morning full iron panel. If you have RLS, there is a 50% chance iron will help. If your hair is falling out, the odds just went up.

[Jscottxx57 in reply to WideBody]

Thank you for info.

[minired]

I have been diagnosed withFFA, frontal fibrosing alopecia. The treatment is steroid shampoo and gel plus the notorious hydroxychleryquine. Not sure of the spelling there. The follicles are dead. I also lost my eyebrows. I have ME and fibromyalgia after a nasty virus in 1995. That’s when theRLS started. It must be all related in my mind.

My ferritin levels according to the conventional test is normal.

I’ve had best results with gabapentin, but doesn’t work all the time.

It’s hard isn’t it, but you are not alone.