Not sure what to do next?

Trewsers

Well-Known Member
Oct 13, 2004
56,663
18,046
113
54
On an island
I have thinning hair which is making me miserable, I am only 44 and not ready to give up on my appearance just yet:giggle: Have been to my gp who tested my thyroid and it came back normal. Also tested for anemia and I am borderline so have been given iron tabs. However, she was pretty non comital about the hair loss - so I am wondering whether to ask for a referral to a specialist? I feel vain and like I am making a fuss, as I know there are sick folk out there, but it's making me feel terrible about myself and I feel all my confidence seeping away:wub::frown: I am prepared to pay privately if necessary. Would you wait and see if the iron tabs help or go now? I have been taking them nearly 3 weeks. Would be grateful for any advice - thanks in advance.:smile:
 
Bearing in mind that you'd probably go at least 6 weeks between hair cuts then 3 weeks is probably not very long in the hair growth scheme of things. Have you also tried specialist shampoo? I have read somewhere that sodium laureth sulphate, which is in most shampoo is not great in these sort of circumstances. Also make sure you have enough vitamin D.

It may well take a few weeks to get a referral through anyway (not least because the relevant consultant will probably be on holiday for Christmas!) as your Dr was "non committal" so you can carry on with the iron while sorting out a referral... multi-tasking!
 
Bearing in mind that you'd probably go at least 6 weeks between hair cuts then 3 weeks is probably not very long in the hair growth scheme of things. Have you also tried specialist shampoo? I have read somewhere that sodium laureth sulphate, which is in most shampoo is not great in these sort of circumstances. Also make sure you have enough vitamin D.

It may well take a few weeks to get a referral through anyway (not least because the relevant consultant will probably be on holiday for Christmas!) as your Dr was "non committal" so you can carry on with the iron while sorting out a referral... multi-tasking!

I think it has gone beyond shampoo:cry: I have a distinct bald patch at the front and one at the side, plus its so thin now my ears poke through which never used to happen:mask:
You are probs right about seeing a consultant tho - it would probably be the New Year before they have any appointments available. I will keep taking the iron - tho I have to remember it, bad me - I forget to take tablets:wub:
 
Go and see someone - I'd pay for private if it was me (and could afford), hair is really important to a woman's self-esteem.
 
I agree - if it's making you miserable, it's serioius. Go and ask to see a specialist as soon as you can. The worst that can happen is that the doctor will say it's too soon to tell.
 
Yes, I would go and see someone now.

It might just be stress, sometimes that can make your hair fall out. It could be hormones. I have less hair since going through 'the change'......it hasn't fallen out where I wanted it to though:frown:
 
Thanks for all the replies. I'm going to collect a prescription later in the week so will see if I can make another appointment and hopefully get the ball rolling. Tis no fun at all this hair loss lark, I feel weird everytime I catch a glimpse of myself, it's all wrong somehow.
 
Apparently losing weight quickly and taking too much Vitamin A can both cause hair loss along with lots of other things, go back to your GP and tell them how concerned you are, I too think that for women hair is very important to us. If it affects your mental health it's important.
 
I think it has gone beyond shampoo:cry: I have a distinct bald patch at the front and one at the side, plus its so thin now my ears poke through which never used to happen:mask:

You are probs right about seeing a consultant tho - it would probably be the New Year before they have any appointments available. I will keep taking the iron - tho I have to remember it, bad me - I forget to take tablets:wub:



I have switched to the body shop rainforest shampoos which has made a MASSIVE difference to my hair so I wouldn't underestimate it! It is SLS free :)

Stress is a big cause of hair loss too
 
Get yourself booked into a specialist T, no need for you to suffer if you can do something about it, I would feel exactly the same if I was in your shoes.
 
I don't think you are being vain at all Trewsers. I think 99 per cent of women would be mightily worried if their hair was thinning and leaving bald patches, no matter how small they might be. Afterall, our hair is and always has been our crowning glory, of course we don't want to lose any of it.

I am wondering if it might be a hormone thing too? Heading toward the change or something like that could cause it. But whatever, it is definitely not trivial in the least.

I would see if GP will refer you ASAP, but if not, take a leaf out of Nat's book and go privately. Life is far too short anyway, without wasting time worrying about health issues that are possibly very fixable. And if it is stress related then worrying about it is a Catch 22 so something needs to change, but you need an expert to tell you what.:smile:
 
Another shout for go to your GP. Has it been a gradual loss? Or happened fairly quickly? I would hate to lose my hair - it's a part of me & what makes me feel womanly.
Is it possible it's alopecia? I know stress I a trigger. Although I don't know that much about it.

Do you dye your hair trews? That also maybe a possible trigger - perhaps it's weakened your hair. You could try letting it grow out & try some sort of thickening shampoo to help stimulate growth.
Also FYI - on the iron front I would be careful how much you take as iron tablets can make you very constipated. Xxxx
 
Another shout for go to your GP. Has it been a gradual loss? Or happened fairly quickly? I would hate to lose my hair - it's a part of me & what makes me feel womanly.
Is it possible it's alopecia? I know stress I a trigger. Although I don't know that much about it.

Do you dye your hair trews? That also maybe a possible trigger - perhaps it's weakened your hair. You could try letting it grow out & try some sort of thickening shampoo to help stimulate growth.
Also FYI - on the iron front I would be careful how much you take as iron tablets can make you very constipated. Xxxx

I've been on the iron tabs for nearly three weeks, so far so good, I am still okay and not bunged up off them lol (far too much information there:giggle:). It isn't alopecia as far as I know - but I'd like to see a specialist to talk through the possibilities, they will have a lot more idea what the cause is (well I hope so). I aren't ready for a wig yet:giggle: but it might come to that!!!
 
I've read a lot about Rogaine (sp?) see lots of ads on TV here for it - is it available in the UK? Not sure if it requires a prescription or can be bought off the shelf.

And - no - you're not vain (coming from a woman who's been colouring her hair for - oh, what is it? - probably 30 years....).
 
I've read a lot about Rogaine (sp?) see lots of ads on TV here for it - is it available in the UK? Not sure if it requires a prescription or can be bought off the shelf.

And - no - you're not vain (coming from a woman who's been colouring her hair for - oh, what is it? - probably 30 years....).

I think Rogaine is only on prescription here but I have read a little negative press about it, however, I do keep an open mind. This is the sort of thing I want to discuss with a specialist, there are (I hope) quite a few options.:smile:
 
newrider.com