Hi ladies, my hair has always been really thick…about 4 years ago I did an overseas move that was very stressful and started losing hair. Ever since I feel like it hasn’t stopped shedding. Within that time I’ve had another child (already had 1 previously) and had an unexpected abdominal surgery for to an obstruction. Now my hair is about half of what it used to be pre-move. I would still look normal to a person that doesn’t know me well but to family and husband it’s a noticeable change. I’ve been on a pretty strict diet and a ton of supplements for the past 6 months trying to heal my gut as I was having other issues so I’m in a better place health wise then I’ve been for a long time. I’m so stumped about my continual hair shedding.
Edit: I’m under the care of a function medicine doctor who is monitoring diet and supplements and had blood work done within the past year. I will be talking to her about my hair loss as I forgot to mention it the last appointment.
Comments
Talk to a dermatologist.
And only take supplements under the supervision of a doctor. Over-supplementing can cause organ damage and/or you just end up urinating out the excess supplements your body doesn’t need.
I don’t know what part of the world you’re in, so that might affect what types of care/services you might have access to. If your diet and supplement intake aren’t being monitored or discussed with a physician and/or licensed nutritionist that would be the first place to start. Strict, unsupervised, diets can result in different forms of malnutrition and that can result in hair loss. Over the counter medications and supplements can also lead to different issues if not being monitored by your health care team. If these things are already being done under supervision, then I would talk to your doctor about your concerns.
It sounds like your body has been through a lot and that can take a toll on your hair and it can take awhile to recover. I would also look into having blood work done. There are all kinds of things related to hormones and vitamin deficiencies that can result in hair loss. Pregnancy and long periods of illness can also completely change your hair.
I noticed significant hair thinning throughout 2023. I was coming off several stressful years working in high exposure covid environments, I went through a period of serious, debilitating depression that resulted in a change in my medication, I’m diabetic and my A1C was in bad shape, and I had very low Vitamin D. On top of it I had only worn my hair pulled back for years due to work. Throughout 2024 I worked on getting my diet more balanced, my doctor reevaluated my medications, and I was put on a couple rounds of intense vitamin D. I also got most of my hair cut off to deal with all the breakage from my former hairstyles. It’s taken more than a year, but my hair is on good shape now. I’m in my mid-40s so it’s never going to be as full as it was 10-20 years ago, but no one would assume I’ve ever dealt with hair loss.
I started losing my hair much earlier than other women in my family – like I had some kind of acceleration. I’ve heard that physical, mental, and emotional trauma can really mess with your system. It definitely did with mine. Each person’s body reacts differently to these things and it sounds like yours has been on a rollercoaster for some time.
However, this could be something related to changing hormones. You’re a bit young for perimenopause, but it’s still possible. It could also be thyroid related. I recommend you take hair loss symptoms to your doctor and ask if they think it would be beneficial to see an endocrinologist or other specialist. Your hair loss may be the only symptom presenting of some undiagnosed condition.
If the medical route shows no answers, I’d ask for a referral to a dermatologist. Research medicine like spironolactone and consider re-evaluating your current supplement and diet regimens. I also recommend checking out the Female Hair Loss subreddit for any potential anecdotal insight.
Unlike you I have never had thick hair to begin with. But I had decent amount of hair without any bald/parting spots. Since the birth of my child, my hairfall has skyrocketed and never stopped shedding tbh. My hormones were also all over the place. Since last year I have started noticing a significant improvement with rosemary and castor oil massage, satin pillow case, fish oil supplement, washing hair twice a week, keeping hair loosely tied in a braid or low bun all the time when not wet, incorporating more protein and workouts daily, using a leave on conditioner on wet hair after washing etc. it just changing habits/ adding/ not doing a lot of stuff so its hard to say which one is helping.
I am 34 btw with type 1A
I’m not a doctor, but I had severe hair loss after Covid complications ( I almost die due lungs problems). What helps me a lot was taken daily vitamin B12, iron and D3. Those are the most important for hair grow.. if those levels are low, your hair is bad… after 1.5y fighting, finally my hair is back, long and full 😇
get a red LED hair helmet, it works