Help! Severe hair loss six years out! Ideas?

StephanieF.
on 9/24/12 11:22 pm

Thanks for the tip! I will definitely work on getting in 100 a day to see if that helps. And if it gives me more energy, that's a great bonus!

Extended tummy tuck/hernia repair on July 28, 2008! Five pounds of skin removed!
Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice. ~W.D

Weight at surgery on July 26, 2006: 304 lbs
Lowest weight: 147 (157 pounds lost!)
Regain over the past 2 years (2012-2014) - 59 pounds
REBOOTING! :) Working on losing back down to 160 (beginning Jan. 18, 2015)

Heather H.
on 9/24/12 2:52 pm - Northern, CA

RNY on 09/29/05

My hair loss/breaking off was due to my low iron and that prevented other efforts from working. Hair follicles are known to contain ferritin, and when the circulating stores of ferritin decline then these stores are called upon to ensure support for more essential cells, such as bone marrow. The loss of this ferritin from the follicle cells can effect the ability of the hair to grow. Take an iron supplement with OJ or vitamin c, and do not take with coffee or tea. The tannin blocks iron absorption.

StephanieF.
on 9/24/12 11:24 pm

RNY on 07/26/06

My doctor (family practice) prescribed an iron supplement for me and gave it to me for a month. It bolstered my levels a bit, but not much. I don't think I was absorbing it, though it was 325 mg and I wsa taking it with vitamin C and water, nothing that could hinder absorption. Perhaps the kind he gave me was too hard for my body to absorb.

Extended tummy tuck/hernia repair on July 28, 2008! Five pounds of skin removed!
Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice. ~W.D

Weight at surgery on July 26, 2006: 304 lbs
Lowest weight: 147 (157 pounds lost!)
Regain over the past 2 years (2012-2014) - 59 pounds
REBOOTING! :) Working on losing back down to 160 (beginning Jan. 18, 2015)

cajungirl
on 9/24/12 11:13 pm

RNY on 02/21/05

What's your ferritin level? I was dealing with the same thing, just finished up a round of infusions and I'm already noticing much less hair loss. Do you have copies of your labs, if not get them and look for downward trends.

What's your protein, Albumin, Prealbumin levels?

Proximal RNY Lap - 02/21/05

9 years committed ~ 100% EWL and Maintaining

www.dazzlinglashesandbeyond.com

StephanieF.
on 9/24/12 11:24 pm

RNY on 07/26/06

Hey there! Well, I don't know that ferritin was checked on this round of bloodwork, or if they just gave me the general iron level. Going by the dr today to get a copy of that bloodwork, so I'll come back tonight to ask your opinions after I know.

I'm almost sure the protein/al/preal didn't get checked, but I'll see later today.

I asked if I was a candidate for iron infusion, and was told no, my iron wasn't low enough. I really don't think they get how desperate I am for a solution.

BTW, they are giving me propecia prescription to try, starting today. Not sure it's going to work if this is a protein or iron issue. IDK if I should bother taking it.

Extended tummy tuck/hernia repair on July 28, 2008! Five pounds of skin removed!
Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice. ~W.D

Weight at surgery on July 26, 2006: 304 lbs
Lowest weight: 147 (157 pounds lost!)
Regain over the past 2 years (2012-2014) - 59 pounds
REBOOTING! :) Working on losing back down to 160 (beginning Jan. 18, 2015)

StephanieF.
on 9/25/12 1:15 am

RNY on 07/26/06

My ferritin level is 07, just checked. Normal is 10-132.

Extended tummy tuck/hernia repair on July 28, 2008! Five pounds of skin removed!
Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice. ~W.D

Weight at surgery on July 26, 2006: 304 lbs
Lowest weight: 147 (157 pounds lost!)
Regain over the past 2 years (2012-2014) - 59 pounds
REBOOTING! :) Working on losing back down to 160 (beginning Jan. 18, 2015)

cajungirl
on 9/25/12 6:46 am

RNY on 02/21/05

Stephanie, get referred to a hemotologist. A round of infusions would make a world of difference. It's hard to bring ferritin back up! I'm surprised your doctor doesn't want to infuse you. If I were you, I'd be insistent you want infusions.

How do you feel?

Proximal RNY Lap - 02/21/05

9 years committed ~ 100% EWL and Maintaining

www.dazzlinglashesandbeyond.com

StephanieF.
on 9/25/12 10:56 pm

RNY on 07/26/06

I feel tired! Honestly, though I've never been an "Energizer bunny" type of person. I need more energy, though, it's definitely lagging.

I called my bariatric surgeon yesterday finally, after getting the result back from my dermatologist that my ferritin was 7. (Dermatologist said she didn't think that was low enough to warrant an infusion, but she'd be glad to write me a prescription for Propecia, though she didn't think it'd work since I don't have female pattern baldness,and that if I take Propecia I'd have to come in for monthly bloodwork as it can cause dangerously high protassium levels in the body. Why would she think that was better than a simple iron infusion? ugh.)

Anyway, my surgeon's nurse said just what you did: we need to get you to a hematologist, as they're sure that the low ferritin is why my hair is falling out. I hope to hear from them today with an appointment! I can't wait for something positive to finally happen after months of asking for help, to no avail.

Thanks, CG.

Extended tummy tuck/hernia repair on July 28, 2008! Five pounds of skin removed!
Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice. ~W.D

Weight at surgery on July 26, 2006: 304 lbs
Lowest weight: 147 (157 pounds lost!)
Regain over the past 2 years (2012-2014) - 59 pounds
REBOOTING! :) Working on losing back down to 160 (beginning Jan. 18, 2015)

zlynnc
on 9/25/12 6:26 am - BEAUFORT, NC

RNY on 06/06/07

My ferritin went to a 3 and I had infussions in July and June.. Back up to 63 but my hair loss is still an issue though I feel better.
Now my periods stopped where they were terrible for months before unless on Birth Control. Hoping now its just change of life.

Beginning weight: 284
Surgery weight: 251
Current weight: 149

StephanieF.
on 9/25/12 11:15 pm

RNY on 07/26/06

Does "still an issue" mean it has continued to steadily fall out, or have you seen some improvement, though it hasn't completely stopped shedding?

Extended tummy tuck/hernia repair on July 28, 2008! Five pounds of skin removed!
Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice. ~W.D

Weight at surgery on July 26, 2006: 304 lbs
Lowest weight: 147 (157 pounds lost!)
Regain over the past 2 years (2012-2014) - 59 pounds
REBOOTING! :) Working on losing back down to 160 (beginning Jan. 18, 2015)

Help! Severe hair loss six years out! Ideas?

Our Mission

Follow us

Links

Select Photos

Help! Severe hair loss six years out! Ideas?