Slight Anemia — When Should My Hair Regrow?
I am a 47 yr old female with very thick hair and no family history of female hair loss. Three months ago my hair started thinning drastically. What is left has become much lighter in color. A blood test showed “slight” anemia, says the doctor, and he prescribed iron pills. I have been taking them for almost a month and still the hair is falling out. When should I see a stop in hair loss? When will I see regrowth? Could I eventually lose all my hair before the iron starts to work? I’m really trying not to stress over this!
Thanks.
The hair loss may reverse and it could take months or years in some women. It is possible that the anemia may not be the cause of the hair loss or that the anemia precipitated genetic expression of hair loss, in which case it may not return to normal. It is also important to review the use of medications that can cause hair loss, such as oral contraceptives, beta-blockers, Vitamin A, thyroid drugs, coumadin and prednisone. The following laboratory tests are often useful if underlying problems are suspected: Estradiol, FSH, LH, SHBG, Prolactin, T4, TSH, ANA, Iron, TIBC, Ferritin, Free and Total Testosterone. If your doctor has any questions, please encourage him/her to call me at 800-NEW-HAIR. You need to make sure that you have a full medical work-up. If the hair loss does not return and all of the above testing is negative, your hair loss could be a sign of a genetic predisposition to hair loss which may have been precipitated by the defect (in this case anemia) or just the changes in your overall hormone balances.
In July of 2004, I agreed to act as a gestational carrier for my uncle and his wife. As a result, we began preparing for the procedure by attempting to manipulate my menstrual cycle through various hormones and medications…estrogen, progesterone, and so forth. In August of 2004, the first embryotic transfer took place but was unsuccessful. We reattempted in November of 2004 but that too failed and in mid-December of 2004, my hair began shedding significantly.
Literally, several strands of hair would be left on my pillow each morning and each time I brushed my hair, which then was extremely thick, the brush would be filled with a chunks. Devastated by this I sought medical attention. My blood work also showed that my hormonal levels were normal. However, like you, My Ferritin was also lower than what is considered the acceptable level and thus I was given a prescription to assist with such deficiency and unfortunately, I did not see a difference in the shedding. Two years have past now and although the shedding has subsided, I look at old pictures and feel teary because my hair is half gone and thus triggers the hopeless feeling. With this said, Jill and for others who are reading this, if you have any encouraging words for me, it would be greatly appreciated. If the realty is that there is a good possibility that I will never regain my hair’s density – please tell me….it may mean that this is what I must accept now. I just need to talk to others who have experienced this devastation and can relate and therefore advise me. Who should I turn to at this stage-two years later! Is there hope or has my hair gone into shock -as one physician said, and it may not re-grow thickly? However, I thank all you have read this post and I anxiously await all feedback.
In this together-
Victoria
My hair was falling out and I had an iron deficiency, my level of ferritin was 19 (range 20-160) it is now 31 and although the loss has stopped I have no obvious regrowth. I have read on other hairloss sites that we need a level of around 70 for regrowth. I am going back on iron pills as it has been 5 months since it stopped falling out. hope this helps