Help , my hair is thinning

mumps

Yes I did think it would be ironic if this ended up with you being prescribed something that caused hair loss. Good luck with it anyway.

moneyistooshorttomention

I think I might have traced the source of my hair loss in the course of the tests <fingers crossed>. I've got the printout of blood test now - and that iron reading may be deemed okay by British standards - but it's down as distinctly deficient by Canadian standards.

Iron problems can cause hair problems and one or two other symptoms I've noticed - so time to keep up the supplementation I've just started.

Anyone got any idea how long it takes to build up to a reasonable level? I've got the awful feeling it might take a few months of supplementation before I get to a normal (ie Canadian) reading.

The test said "serum ferritin 44ug/L". The Canadian website says a reading of 15-50 is "probable deficiency". They go on to say 51-100 is"possible deficiency". In other words the Canadians think people should be at least 101 before they are deemed normal on that test.

mumps

I don't know how long it takes but when I was anaemic, when I was pregnant along time ago, I felt better quite quickly but I think I had to keep taking the tablets for a few months to build up reserves. Might be different depending on the cause. I do remember that I was advised to take vitamin c with the iron tablets as it improved the uptake of iron. I think the system might have changed as I think my result was 5 and I needed to be 12 so I am assuming the test has changed? If not I must have been very anaemic!

princesstippytoes

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

I think I might have traced the source of my hair loss in the course of the tests <fingers crossed>. I've got the printout of blood test now - and that iron reading may be deemed okay by British standards - but it's down as distinctly deficient by Canadian standards.

Iron problems can cause hair problems and one or two other symptoms I've noticed - so time to keep up the supplementation I've just started.

Anyone got any idea how long it takes to build up to a reasonable level? I've got the awful feeling it might take a few months of supplementation before I get to a normal (ie Canadian) reading.

The test said "serum ferritin 44ug/L". The Canadian website says a reading of 15-50 is "probable deficiency". They go on to say 51-100 is"possible deficiency". In other words the Canadians think people should be at least 101 before they are deemed normal on that test.

Why do you think the Canadians are right and the British are wrong?
I wouldn't use google to self diagnose deficiencies.

I'd be more worried about that Cholesterol level! :eek:

You've said you are pretty overweight and that putting pressure on your joints too so it sounds like a complete overhaul of your lifestyle is may be in order.

moneyistooshorttomention

Thanks Mumps.

I'm still googling and this morning I found an interesting thread on another board (an American one I believe this time):

www.healthboards.com/boards/anemia/574992-ferritin-level-17-ug-1.html

and, in the course of this, a poster has obviously been doing a lot of googling round on that board and says the consensus seems to be to regrow hair ferritin level should be at least 70.

It goes on to state their doctors aim for 125-150- ug/L.

It does make logical sense to me that the British standard will be set too low - because otherwise the British NHS would have to admit that a lot more people need iron supplements than they are currently stating (ie NHS paying for a lot more iron supplements).

Now thinking "I wish I understood one of the Scandinavian languages or Dutch - and I could look up what those countries have to say about this...."

It would be useful if anyone knows the standards set by: Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Holland, Germany and could tell us please.

longwalks1

As a guy I used Minoxidil 5% (I think they do female version) and I use Nizarol shampoo twice a week. Kirkland do a good, cheaper generic version of minoxidil

I also use finasteride (tablets) and have seen good results over time

Mrs_Ryan

I have alopecia areata but my dermatologist isn't one who believes in creams/tablets/potions etc. I usually shave my head and stick a wig/bandana/headscarf on.