Hair loss???

[Zizzle]

I've been GF/DF/YF for almost 3 months with 70% improvement in my LC, but I've been trying to ignore a new development...hair loss. I have straight, thin shoulder-length hair. It sheds like crazy in the shower, when I comb, brush, dry, and throughout the day. No obvious patches or bald spots yet. My husband is concerned about the "wig" on the bathroom floor... My hair doesn't feel brittle and I'm not anemic. Is there something about this diet that would cause a deficiency in something that causes hair loss? I just started taking a B-complex vitamin and otherwise take a multi, cal citrate/mag, and fish oil almost every day.

Anyone else not on meds, just diet, experiencing hair loss?

[tex]

The GF diet shouldn't cause hair loss. Hormone issues are a common cause of hair loss. Has your thyroid function been checked recently? Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause rapid hair loss.

Tex

[JLH]

Yes, but I am old. I don't see the hairs anywhere, they just don't grow.

I had hairloss I could see decades ago when I was diagnosed hypothyroid.

[tex]

Joan,

I think that once we develop a thyroid problem, the handwriting is on the wall. Even thyroid medications can cause hair loss.

Tex

[Zizzle]

I had a thyroid screen with recent bloodwork and it was normal. I have no other thyroid symptoms that I'm aware of.

[sgm92704]

Hello! I am in the midst of major shedding as well and it is driving me nuts!! My already fine hair is becoming thinner by the day. I actually have an appointment next week with a GYN who practices "functional medicine" and is known to be knowledgable about bioidentical hormones and food sensitives. He and his whole family are gluten free so I am quite certain he can give me a thoughtful explanation for the hair loss. I have been GF and DF for several years and SF for a year. I started with the hair loss several years ago after the CC diagnosis and prior to going GF. I was on and off birth control several times. Each time I was on birth control the shedding quickly stopped. It also stopped when I was pregnant two years ago. I gave birth in May of last year and my hair started shedding again about 6 weeks ago. I seem to think mine is hormonal. If you'd like I'll let you know what the Dr. has to say and if he offers any useful advice. I would love to keep what little hair I have left!!

[Gabes-Apg]

hair loss and hair health has been one of my minor MC issues.

i notice that post MC and the diet change that more hair is on the bathroom floor. The health of my hair had been slowly getting worse, and the trip to france was the thing that tipped it over the edge and at my next hair cut i had to get 6-8 cm cut off.

[JLH]

YES, please. I am really upset by this hair loss.

After chemo it came in thick (for me) and with a few waves. The Tamoxifen, I believe, made it go away. That's why I went off it 6 months early and wouldn't take Arimidex.

[adelie]

Biotin can help with hair loss. As mentioned in this webmd article (page 2), doctors often recommend taking a biotin supplement along with treatments like Rogaine.

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and- ... -naturally

Karen

[JLH]

Thanks very much, Karen. I'll check it out immediately.

[Zizzle]

Here is an interesting blog entry about gluten sensitivity and hairloss. The comments are most interesting. Some possible factors:
Biotin deficiency
Low ferretin
Autoimmune alopecia
Thyroid disfunction
I'm curious about this one:
Gluten in shampoo and conditioner??

Http://www.glutenfreefox.com/articles/g ... rloss.html

Ive heard of celiacs buying gluten free toiletries, but is it really that important? Will gluten on the skin cause autoimmune reactions? Could it contribute to hair loss?

[tex]

Ive heard of celiacs buying gluten free toiletries, but is it really that important? Will gluten on the skin cause autoimmune reactions? Could it contribute to hair loss?

Usually, that's only a problem for those who have dermatitis herpetiformis as part of their celiac disease. Personally, I can handle wheat, without any problems, as long as I don't eat it, or put in in my mouth. There are probably exceptions, though, that apply to others. For those who react to skin contact with wheat, I would guess that hair loss could certainly be a possibility.

Tex

[JLH]

I've been using Johnson's baby shampoo for 2 years. It's in the 2008-2009 G/C/SF Grocery Shopping Guide by Cecelia's Marketplace (Matison and Matison).

[Stanz]

I noticed that I experienced a fair amount of hair loss in the months after I went GF, which was before I was dx/w/MC. After 1 yr. GF, the hair loss is slowing down, but still seems to be more than usual in my lifetime. I also have straight, fine hair and have no idea what's in my shampoo, which I buy by the lb. and is supposed to be free of toxins.

My oldest DD is on the SC Diet and about the same time she started that (2 yrs. ago) she also was challenged by one of her biology professors to stop using ANY shampoo, as he believes we don't need to use any soaps to clean our hair, that rinsing it with water in the shower is enough. Quite a few of her fellow classmates took up the challenge. So, it's been a year now since she's not used shampoo, or any kind of hair products. Her hair is just like mine. After a few weeks of not shampooing, while her hair and scalp was adjusting, she looked a bit greasy, but since then you would be shocked to see the change in her hair. It is thicker and full of body. My DH has also given up shampoo for the last 10 months and his hair is beautiful and shiny, as is my DD's. I'm still chicken to try this, but probably should.

Lots of NO shampoo info on the internet.

[Zizzle]

I've had mild seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp my whole life (my mom does too), which means I get oily hair, crusty build up and itching if I don't wash it nearly every day. I actually notice more hair loss if I go a couple days without washing, presumably because the build up is clogging my hair follicles more, and perhaps because I scratch my scalp? I've tried dandruff shampoos from time to time, but never notice a difference. I now use natural shampoos without parabens, etc. But I can't imagine not washing.