Bipolar, autoimmune disorder, raynauds and a vitamin b12 problem.

[Anjuna]

Hi, this is a bit long winded so my apologies. I have bipolar and in february of this year I was diagnosed with raynauds. Since then it transpires i have an autoimmune problem (mitochondrial) a vitamin b12 deficiency and just for good measure I have also been losing alot more hair than usual. Is it all connected somehow? I read all the forums but this is my first time posting a question as it would certainly explain alot however its such a minefield and to be honest a little overwhelming at times. Thanks in advance.

[zenabb]

I have lost a lot of hair but I thought that it was my age. You have a lot to cope with so do I. I went to a lecture by an expert on aging and he said that we are programmed to live not to die. That is why we live longer. So we have to be hearty and laugh at life.

[erdstein in reply to zenabb]

I have lost 50% of my hair, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto disease, my thyroids are underactive, I am on 100mg. of thyroxine every day for last 5 years and my hair and I am , still loosing my hair. Anybody knows what to do not to loose all my hair?

[Motherof8 in reply to erdstein]

I have Psoriasis and severe food sensitivities similar to Hashimoto’s. About 6 months ago I was losing a small handful of hair every time I washed it...terrifying! I have done blood work to find out which foods were bothering me which, no doubt, helped a lot. But the thing I believe put an end to the hair loss was a combination of two things. I started using a biotin containing shampoo...Avalon Organics Thickening Shampoo and taking Natrol (brand) Biotin 10,000 mcg. Both of these are available from Vitacost and probably from Amazon. Hope this helps.

[Hidden]

My husband suffered from Bipolar. He was otherwise healthy and with a thick head of hair; so I don't think there is a connection with bipolar, but possibly with the autoimmune disease. Having said this, I have systemic sclerosis and have thick hair. But we all suffer different things even though we have the same diagnosis. It is a peculiar disease.

[graygirl1]

I have had a massive breakage of hair about every two years for many years. It didn't matter how well I treated my hair. Until I was diagnosed with autoimmune disorder I used to put it down to "one of those things". I suffer with Underactive Thyroid, Raynaud's amongst other things and thinning and loss of hair are two of the many symptoms of this and autoimmune disorder in general. I don't know about Bipolar and how that would affect your hair.

Autoimmune condition is so complex, we all get stressed and find it hard to cope, which helps to make the symptoms worse. The more we discover, the more we need to discover but try to take it easy and relax and keep as calm as possible. It is really difficult and at times it's as if everything is wrong and we long to feel even halfway well at least once a week. Sometimes I laugh so much at myself and make my friends laugh when I tell them the way I feel and the silly things I think and do. I just do the best I can. Half the time I just ignore what my body gets up to. I also pray to my God a lot, not for a miracle but for the courage and grace to cope each day.

I tell myself there are others who are worse off. That is another way of coping for me but,

everyone has a different coping mechanism and you will find yours.

When my hair starts to break I just get short styles, condition and treat it as much as possible, finance permitting, until it improves. I have several wigs for bad hair days too.

Good luck! Please keep in touch to let the forum know how you're doing.

Graygirl1

[titanicus]

Can't comment on the bipolar issue. I am experiencing a loss of hair ongoing situation. Auto Immune problem seems to be indemic as parts of Reynauds in the first instance and Scleroderma in the second.

I have had a problem with the vitamin B 12 deficiency over the last 2 years. I take the bog standard vitamin b every day. However when I spoke to my GP he gave me an injection, saying, if I give you 2 over the next 3 months it should keep you in good stead over the next 12 months.

Ask your GP. Hope this helps. Take care.