hair loss

[Baileyleigh123]

hi has anyone on this group used biotin for hair loss my hair has gone that thin I could literally cry 😢 to the point that you can see my scalp help needed or any recommendations thanks 🙏

[Sparklingsunshine]

The problem at our age is it could be thyroid related, menopause, genetic/ hormonal female hair loss or low ferritin. Low iron levels can cause hair loss. Do you have any recentish thyroid blood test results you can share?

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

My iron and vitamins were fine does biotin work do you know x

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Baileyleigh123]

It can help, its worth a try, just remember to stop it for a few days before you are due a thyroid test as it can interfere with the result. Has the hair loss only been an issue since you became hyper/hypo thyroid?

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

Yes and it’s got worse x

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Previous post

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Get full thyroid and vitamin testing …..see exactly what is going on

Most thyroid patients need to supplement vitamin D and vitamin B complex continuously

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Igennus B complex popular option. Nice small tablets. Most people only find they need one per day. But a few people find it’s not high enough dose

Post discussing different B complex

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Thorne Basic B recommended vitamin B complex that contains folate, but they are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule) Thorne can be difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20-£25. iherb.com often have in stock. Or try ebay

IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue separate B12

Post discussing how biotin can affect test results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thankyou slow dragon x

[Ellie-Louise]

I have had thin hair on top for more years than I can remember, it all started when I came off the pill in 1976. I always managed to disguise it with a thickening spray that had some colour in it.

Recently I had to have an operation on my head which resulted in hair being cut off round the incision. I started talking about my hair to the dermatologist and he suggested trying minoxidil but I think Regaine is the women’s version. Anyway, I looked it up and you have to keep on using that so I decided against trying it.

After doing some, actually quite a lot of research, I read that Rosemary oil works in the same way as Minoxidil but far better. So I bought some from Amazon to try after my scalp heals, which is taking such a while to do. I’m actually using Manuka on that, again after researching natural healing.

But look up Rosemary for yourself, don’t just take my word for it. Personally I can’t wait to try and get to grips with my hair, but my fingers are firmly crossed, for you too.

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Ellie-Louise]

You could add some peppermint oil to the rosemary as well. There have been clinical trials on both and they can both help with preventing further loss and helping regrowth. Just dont use them neat, they need to be diluted in a carrier oil if using the concentrated oils.

[Ellie-Louise in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

That I bought on Amazon is diluted. I have used essential oils in the past so don’t worry about my safety. Kate x

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to Ellie-Louise]

Thankyou so much mine is on the top to it’s so depressing I’m trying the biotin capsules though I will try anything, I’ve just ordered a shampoo called grow me by watermans don’t know if it will work but will give it a shot x

[Ellie-Louise in reply to Baileyleigh123]

I’ve tried almost everything going over the years, shampoo, tablets etc. and yes, it is depressing. Right now I’ve made a few hats, but am resigned to hiding in the house until what they cut off grows back. Being older doesn’t help either because of the lack of oestrogen. Being old is all about maintainence these days, we might as well be old cars! 🤣

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to Ellie-Louise]

Aww hope you get better soon I will let you know how I go on x

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to Baileyleigh123]

Ellie Louise

This is the shampoo Ellie Louise

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to Baileyleigh123]

Shampoo

Ellie Louise

[Ellie-Louise in reply to Baileyleigh123]

I actually have that shampoo in the bathroom cabinet, I have tried it but didn’t stick with it. I can’t remember why now. According to my account on Amazon I bought it in Feb of ‘23. Maybe I’ll try it again.

I remember reading about the DHT thing and hair years ago, the article suggested taking a supplement called Saw Palmetto, it’s used by men for their prostate health.

I don’t know what it is exactly , but there is some sort of link to it stopping DHT involved.

[FallingInReverse]

When hair loss is a result of low thyroid hormones, then optimizing your thyroid hormones is the only thing that will work.

Similar - if hair loss is due to low ferritin. Then optimal ferritin is the only thing that will fix.

And everyone is different. My improving Free Ts has made a noticeable difference for re-growth. I thought it was my single digits ferritin, which might be contributing, but better Ts were the trick for me.

Personally, when thinking about the physiology of hair loss, hair growth and hair retention - I question biotin and other natural remedies as having an impact that can overcome the complications from sub optimal hypothyroid-caused body chemistry.

Also treating hair loss is different from treating hair retention.

I don’t know anything about your bloods, although just being “in range” is not sufficient to prevent hair loss. I’d rule out thyroid and ferritin before (or while) you try over the counter natural remedies .

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to FallingInReverse]

Hi my doctor lowered my thyroxine 2 weeks ago from 200 mg to 175 mg I don’t know if it will get better now x

[FallingInReverse in reply to Baileyleigh123]

Where are your TSH/FT4/FT3 right now? Do you have any iron/ferrtin results ?

[Baileyleigh123]

I don’t because I didn’t get a print out my ths was 0.15 and my ft4 was 4.20 x

they didn’t test ft3 x

[FallingInReverse in reply to Baileyleigh123]

And the range for the FT4?

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to FallingInReverse]

4.20

[FallingInReverse in reply to Baileyleigh123]

Is there a (ng/dL) or (pmol/L) next to it?

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to FallingInReverse]

I’ve no idea just got these numbers over the phone x

[FallingInReverse in reply to Baileyleigh123]

Previous post of yours has a reply with how to get your test results.

The numbers you have provided - as noted in your previous post - need ranges to be meaningful.

Come back and let us know when you have that additional info!