Diffuse Hair Loss, Eczema, Chronic Illness

[twenteefour]

Hello. I am seeking advice on what is causing my health problems. I am experiencing diffuse hair loss (Telogen Effluvium) across my entire scalp. My hair has become very thin, and my entire scalp is now visible. This has been most noticeable this last year. Hairs are falling out at all stages, small young hairs , and long hairs, all with the white bulbs attached. The balding pattern doesn't look like male pattern baldness. It's not patchy.

I have also had eczema/psoriasis dry itchy skin problems for the past 6 years. Which I've been unable to pinpoint the cause.

I'm a 24 years old male, so it is very distressing to see all my hair fall out. I think I'll be completely bald within 6 months at this rate.

I suspected thyroid auto-immune problems so a few days ago I had my thyroid checked with a blood test. Here are the results.

THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE: 1.55 mIU/L (range: 0.27 - 4.20)

FREE THYROXINE: 20.200 pmol/L (range: 12.00 - 22.00)

FREE T3: 5.34 pmol/L (range: 3.10 - 6.80)

THYROGLOBULIN ANTIBODY: <10 IU/mL (range: 0.00 - 115.00)

THYROID PEROXIDASE ANTIBODIES: <9.0 IU/mL (range: 0.00 - 34.00)

My free t4 level looks at the high end of the range, but apparently that is normal according to the doctor. This is my first thyroid blood test. Could Hyperthyroidism still be a factor?

What is going on? Is this male pattern baldness or something more sinister. I mentioned my skin problems that I've had for 6 years. Is this connected to the hair loss? I've already done much research into auto-immunity disease, and the gut health connection. I've taken all kinds of home-made probiotics over the years, hoping for an improvement. My diet is mostly meat and vegetables, very little carbs or refined sugars. I'm rather skinny in weight, especially upper body, I can't put on any weight no matter how much I eat. I've taken all kinds of supplements; vitamin D, zinc, magnesium, K, selenium.

I feel as though I've exhausted all options.

[humanbean]

Low iron, iron saturation and ferritin can cause hair loss.

Personal anecdote : Taking high dose B12 supplements (methylcobalamin) improved my eczema so much that I hardly ever suffer with it now, and it is something I've suffered with for 40+ years. But it did get worse before it got better. Overall it took about 2 - 3 months to get the best result.

[twenteefour in reply to humanbean]

Thank you for your response. I've started taking B12 supplements and will see what happens.

I took a blood test to see my iron levels 2 days ago. Here are the results:

IRON: *28.87 umol/L (Range: 10.60 - 28.30)

T.I.B.C: New sample required

TRANSFERRIN SATURATION: New sample required

FERRITIN: 267 ug/L (Range: 30.00 - 400.00)

CRP - HIGH SENSITIVITY 0.22 mg/l (0.00 - 5.00)

My test failed for some results because my blood sample haemolysed. I had difficulty getting blood out my fingers, and needed to prick 3 fingers to get enough blood, but I must have taken too long and the sample clotted or something. I will be taking the test again next week.

I suspected my Iron levels would be high. Maybe I'm consuming too much meat, It's usually the biggest part of my meals.

Would I really have a B12 deficiency If my diet is already high in red meats?

Some websites on the internet say that meat protein is essential for healthy hair growth, but then other articles say that overeating on meat causes hair loss, really confusing.

Yesterday I had strange symptoms of early satiation and bloating after eating a normal amount of food I usually eat. It happened at both meals I had.

[humanbean in reply to twenteefour]

Your ferritin is very good.

Your serum iron is a little bit high, but really not by much.

Your CRP is very good.

For future reference, this link shows optimal levels for iron and related measures :

rt3-adrenals.org/Iron_test_...

The optimum for ferritin according to many on this forum is mid-range or a bit higher. Yours is 64% of the way through the range which is excellent.

For some things you could try - it was obviously written with women in mind but also has a lot of suggestions which are relevant to both sexes :

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

If you are concerned about the high iron level you have then you could start here :

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

You should read the stuff about MTHFR and decide whether or not it applies to you.

Another good link on dealing with an MTHFR problem is this one :

drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/CFS_-_T...

But if you start getting into the subject of MTHFR you're on your own as far as I'm concerned. Genetics has always been a complete mystery to me.

.

Regarding vitamin B12... In order for your body to make use of vitamin B12 you would need good levels of folate too.

Have you had your vitamin B12 and folate tested in recent months?

Optimal levels for vitamin B12 are given here :

rt3-adrenals.org/Miscellane...

And for further info on B12/folate :

rt3-adrenals.org/supplement...

[twenteefour]

I'm increasingly concerned that It could be premature balding due to genetics.

It seems unusual for Telogen Effluvium to be caused by MPB, but some articles on the web say that it can be an extreme form of male pattern baldness.

I just wish I could understand the science behind premature balding and MPB.

My current theory is that blood circulation is restricted to the hair on top of the scalp. And that combined with oxidative stress it falls out. Off course that doesn't explain why women aren't effected. Which still brings the theory back to male hormones, unless it's something else. hmm...

[twenteefour]

Here are the supplements I'm currently taking:

Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc & Vitamin D

Vitamin K2

Vitamin B12

Nettle Leaf Extract.

I was taking a High dose Vitamin D supplement every day for a few years. that I stopped taking 2 days ago. 3000 IU per tablet.