deal with this thinning hair situation

My Ferritin number is already up to 77!!

Now it’s just a matter of being patient with the regrowth that should begin within the next three months.

I’m marking this one done, y’all! 2 years ago

Good news. My hair is no longer falling out.

My blood was tested to see where my Ferritin number stands. I’ll find out in 5-7 days.

Once it stabilizes at 70 or above, I’m off the medication for good! 2 years ago

It’s grown in a little more on the crown, but it’s still thin in front. Ugh.
The meds are pricey – $33 for a 30-day supply, and that’s for the generics.

I know I just have to be patient, but this is a little frustrating. 2 years ago

... to see anything substantial, but last night, I went in for a trim. My friend/hairstylist checked, and said that she could already see some fuzz coming back in.

Bad. Ass. 2 years ago

http://outofhairhell.blogspot.com/ 2 years ago

Niferex, an iron and vitamin C supplement, causes some stomach pain, Ow. 2 years ago

This is awesome.

Telogen Effluvium, a type of hair loss is caused by not having enough iron.

There is what’s called a Ferritin test to determine the level in one’s blood. If it’s too low, it causes TE, depression, fatigue, and… sleep disturbances.

The lowest normal number one should have is 70.

Mine is… 12.

Holy. Shit.

“Whatever form of hair loss TE takes, it is fully reversible. The hair follicles are not permanently or irreversibly affected; there are just more hair follicles in a resting state than there should normally be.”

I’ve been put on Niferex for the next three months. This might be the answer to all my prayers, folks. 2 years ago

I may have an ACTUAL diagnosis. I’ll find out in 10 days. 2 years ago

I have an appointment with a female dermatologist next Thursday. Yay. 2 years ago

Should I just shave my head? It’d be kind of punk rock. 2 years ago

Many people I’ve talked to who have the same issues that I do recommend a topper. Interesting. 2 years ago

I got a new short haircut. I think it suits me.

I broke down and sprung for the Nioxin Level Four kit. It was $50, but includes the shampoo, conditioner and scalp treatment. A close friend of mine, who’s also my hair stylist, has been recommending it for a couple of years, and I finally went for it. We’ll see what happens, starting tomorrow.

I haven’t heard from the NYC doc yet. 2 years ago

Maybe it was the week’s worth of sleep deprivation, but I lost it. My hair’s been giving me grief, and I did some reading on female pattern baldness today. I’m not likely a candidate for restoration surgery, since my hair loss is more diffuse.

Then I came across this site: http://www.womenshairlossproject.com

I signed up, posted a profile, befriended a few people, and found some amazing information.

On there, I read about Dr. Geoffrey Redmond, who is based in NYC.

http://www.hormonehelpny.com

This guy might be able to help me.
The evidence of his concern for cases like mine made me break down and cry. Thank God there’s SOMEONE out there who gets it.

I sent him an impassioned email and a recent photo of my me with my hair at its worst.

They don’t take insurance, but stated that a detailed claim can be made. Unless I can find an as compassionate and understanding (and WILLING) endocrinologist in my area (and my plan), I’m going to save up and go to NYC, and hopefully stay with a friend for a day or two.

It will cost around $650 for the consultation.

In the meantime, I’m getting (yet another) haircut, and seriously considering getting a custom human-hair wig.

Wish me luck! 2 years ago

Yeah. The Natural Hairgrowth Institute in Chicago? Avoid it at all costs.

I got three hours of sleep last night, and could barely breathe since I’m still fighting the cold from hell.

I had an appointment at 9:30 this morning, which required me to pay $25 dollars for parking. I finally find a space, maneuver my way up
to the office. Ugh. I love the city, but I’d not want to live there whilst owning a car. No way, dude.

What. The. Fuck. Moment #1:
The glass door is locked, and all the lights are off inside.

I call their extension and get their voicemail.

What. The. Fuck Moment #2:
I call the Deerfield office to find out if there’s been an emergency. Some chick answers, has no idea about my appointment, and the Spanish-sounding dude who set my original appointment gets on the phone. He’s like, “I said 10:30, (He didn’t.) but I’ll be there in 5 minutes.”

What. The. Fuck Moment #3:
Huh? Apparently, all their calls go through the Chicago headquarters, despite them not answering that line, eh?

Steve Bennis, the Spanish-sounding dude (He really has an atrocious, ridiculous accent) comes running down the hallway to let me in. There is no one at the front desk, no other staff, no other clients.

What. The. Fuck Moment #4:
He hands me a form to fill out, asking for my social security number and my drivers license number, and nothing else – no medical questions, etc. I didn’t give up the info. Eff that.

What. The. Fuck Moment #5:
The total cost for a six-month treatment of lasers, scalp massage, exercise regiment, shampoo & conditioner treatments, that are “guaranteed to work?”

$14,000

I. Kid. You. Not.

Suffice to say, I never took the bait. 2 years ago

I have an appointment with a facility in Chicago Friday morning. Results are guaranteed. I hope my insurance covers this. 2 years ago

A friend of mine (she’s in her early 50’s), who has the same issue I do, suggested I make an appointment w/ a dermatologist and get a script for a specific diuretic, that blocks DHT.

She’s gone back on it herself, as it’s helped in the past.

I’m gonna give that a shot. 2 years ago

Heading out in a little while for another haircut… 2 years ago

but on recommendation of my mom’s hairstylist, I started taking prenatal multivitamins.

We’ll see… 3 years ago

For the last two weeks, I’ve taken 2 Biotin pills and half a Propecia pill a day. (Yes, Doctor Clueless prescribed Propecia for me. You should have seen the look on the pharmacist’s face.)

I’m not expecting much at all yet. If anything, any effect takes at least six months.

I’m going for a trim tonight after work, and possibly a color, so I’m learning (still) to “live with it.”

I’m also trying this Nioxin treatment that a dear friend of mine gave me. It’s a spray that you apply after showering. It makes your scalp red and slightly tingly/warm, but allegedly, it works. We’ll see how that goes. 3 years ago

DEEE-NIED!

No hypothyroidism.
No diabetes.
No anemia.

Nope.

1. A vitamin D deficiency (on account of the fact that I hate going out in the sun)

2 High cholestorol, despite my weightloss and healthier (well, healthier than before) lifestyle. (on account of effing genetics).

And my hair? Nothin.’ He doesn’t have a clue.

“You’re just going to have to live with it.”

What?

You mean live with the fact that I look pretty gnarly showing off my scalp like this? Great. Thanks for the advice.

Shit. Back to square one. 3 years ago

So, I’ve had thinning hair (see-the-scalp variety) for 12 years now, and I’m only 29.

I’ve tried rocking the short hair, and while I love it, it grows out so quickly, but not better…

I’ve seen dermatologists, endocrinologists, etc.

One pulled on my hair (hard), rolled his eyes and said, “It’s not coming out.”

Jerk.

He told me to lose the 50 pounds I had gained in only a year.

Another tested my cholesterol, and sent me a recipe book in the mail. No number, no hard facts, just “lose weight.” AND this was a woman who said “I can see your scalp from here.”

I have lost some weight. I have great skin. I’m not diabetic.

I also hate doctors.

I’m pretty damn sure that I have hypothyroidism, but I just had an ultrasound yesterday, and the doc said that “It looks normal. You don’t have cancer.”

Jeeeesus...

I go for a follow-up on my blood work on the 19th. All I’ve wanted is for someone to take me seriously. I just want to know what’s going on and what the hell I can do about it. This sucks. 3 years ago