posted
Has anyone found a cure for thinning hair. I've been taking collagen supplements for about a month and my nails have gotten thicker but not my hair. I've just added DHEA and don't know if that will help.
Posts: 653 | From Northern Virginia | Registered: Oct 2014
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
I hate this. you can see parts of my scalp in large areas.
I've tried everything and so far nothing works.
soon it will be wig time.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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posted
Have you had your thyroid checked? I thinned out terribly when mine went hyper for a while.
I started taking glucosamine and boswellia for my connective tissue and have been experiencing faster growth in hair and nails, might be on par with your effects with collagen.
Topical caffeine applied to the scalp can block the effects of DHT on hair follicles, preventing and in some cases even reversing hair loss if it's caused by some hormonal issues. You could try this with coffee rinses applied to the scalp and washed out afterwards.
Regular tea and green tea can also be used, although green tea has very little caffeine. If trying a coffee or tea rinse you should do so with caution if you have lighter colored hair, the tannins might stain the hair for a number of washes as coffee and tea can be used to help boost hair color with natural dyes.
Posts: 474 | From US | Registered: May 2014
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ukcarry
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 18147
posted
As I am just discovering, hair loss can be the result of a problem with Demodex mites: do you have sore eyes, rosacea or an itchy scalp?
If so, you could research that.
Posts: 1647 | From UK | Registered: Nov 2008
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posted
My hair is thinning and just found out my thyroid is low in T4 and high in TSH... don't know what this means yet, but I too am desperate to keep my haaaaaaaaair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posts: 477 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Nov 2015
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If not able to get on meds right now, getting some Kelp tablets (or making your own capsules from Kelp) could help. Or you can also add Nori, Wakame or other seaweeds to your diet. These seaweeds come in sheets to make wraps with or they come in flake form you can add to rice & stuff.
Also iron deficiency can cause hair loss so increasing iron-rich foods may help.
I had/have all of the above. I think I tried everything so I totally get what you're feeling. Correcting and balancing the hormone and iron deficiencies is what finally stopped the hair loss for me. Now back to normal and regrew lost hair.
Also added rosemary essential oil to a scalp oil I made which helped regrow some hair for me before discovering the deficiencies. Dr. Hauschka brand has a hair oil that works well but it's expensive so I made my own.
Posts: 114 | From California | Registered: Jan 2016
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posted
Foxy loxy - that's a definite sign of hypothyroidism.
Also may be worth it to make sure you haven't developed Hashimoto's whereby diet is also a very important factor in controlling symptoms. Hashimoto's can commonly happen with Lyme.
My LLMD has me on WP Thyroid for hypothyroidism. Also with the addition of Ashwaganda these have worked well for me.
Posts: 114 | From California | Registered: Jan 2016
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posted
encouraging to hear Blymer919! Thanks for that plug. Going to a bioidentical nurse soon...glad to hear your hair came back!
Posts: 477 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Nov 2015
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
If you are going through menopause or have already gone through it, the loss of estrogen will cause thinning hair.
If you take hormone replacement (specifically estrogen), the hair will come back.
Also, if you have taken steroids, those caused me to have my hair break off and not grow. My hairdresser said she has seen it many times. Now, I am really babying my hair (conditioning the hair more and using the curling iron hardly at all) and it is finally starting to get long again on the sides where it had become very short.
Even illness itself can cause a loss of hair. But, if you are at the age where your estrongen level is going down, consider that as a possible cause.
I have lost hair and had it come back twice now.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
My thyroid tested normal last year and I go again for a physical soon so we'll see. My scalp isn't itchy so I don't think it's Demodex mites but I''m going to order some of the shampoo just in case. I went through menopause a long time ago so it could be estrogen imbalance.
Is there any natural supplement you can take to bring up the estrogen levels? I've tried a week and a half so far of DHEA but isn't that for men? Maybe that's something I don't need. I have Babesia which causes low iron levels
and have started eating liver once a week. (Just started that). Thanks for helping me to sort this out. I know it happens as we age but I've also seen it as a symptom of Lyme and co. and most of my family members have't had their hair
thin very much in old age. As I take herbs, etc. for Lyme, I try to head off the problems it causes as well. I appreciate any ideas anyone might have.
Posts: 653 | From Northern Virginia | Registered: Oct 2014
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
has anybody tried those estrogen/progesterone rubon creams?
I see alot of them on amazon and all. myobgyn said once a woman goes through menopause she doesn't need hormones.
but I had to have emergency hysterectomy when I was in my 30s.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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posted
Tulips, DHEA affects male and female. DHEA is made by our adrenals and is a precursor to other hormones like estrogens and androgens. As we age or are under a lot of stress (hello, Lyme) our levels decline, which in turn can affect other hormone levels.
It'd be a good idea to get your hormone levels evaluated though before deciding what direction to take & dosage.
That said some good natural estrogen options for menopause are EstraCare phytoestrogen cream or Menoquil.
Are you also taking a lot of essential fatty acids (in diet and/or supplementing)? EFAs are very helpful for hormonal balancing, hair, skin and tissue health.
Also related to anemia & Babesia, it's important to consume adequate levels of vitamin B-12 and folate as well because these nutrients directly affect iron levels. I became so anemic I ended up having to supplement my folate, iron and get B12 shots on top of nutrient rich foods.
Posts: 114 | From California | Registered: Jan 2016
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posted
That is a good idea - to have hormone levels tested. I'll be going to see my GP soon and will ask for that to be tested. I'm taking a good quality B-12 now. I had gotten really low on B-12 from taking a cheap B-12 and developed dark circles under my eyes which always lets me know I need more B-12.
I've been taking NAC 600mg 2x/d which raises glutathione levels and causes the body to produce B-12 but that wasn't enough. How do you get enough essential fatty acids in your diet?
Posts: 653 | From Northern Virginia | Registered: Oct 2014
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I cook will Extra Virgin Olive oil, Coconut oil and cold pressed Canola oil.
I make salad dressings or smoothies using Flax oil (great source of fiber and Omega-3). I'll also add flax oil to this rice vermecelli dish before serving (you don't want to heat flax oil).
I also put hemp seeds in and on everything. I eat a lot of eggs and almonds also.
I'm careful with my fish intake just due to mercury levels. I try to do as much as I can via the food route because I get so tired of taking so many pills!
Posts: 114 | From California | Registered: Jan 2016
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posted
Thank you. I'll look into LuckyVitamin and start adding hemp seeds to my regimen. I already use Extra Virgin Olive Oil for cooking so I'm probably good with essential oils. NAC has a lot of other benefits, the most amazing one being that, if you take two or three during the course of the day, it promotes the
most wonderful feeling of peace and lowers my pulse rate and BP rate to a normal level. I take a low dose of BP melds but it doesn't always control my BP and pulse rate like I want it to and don't want to go to a stronger dose.
Posts: 653 | From Northern Virginia | Registered: Oct 2014
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posted
I have thinning hair and low thyroid. Not being treated, iodine dosing gives me breakout on my face, I don't know what to do. Without a doctor now since financially broke.
Posts: 101 | From nowhere | Registered: Aug 2013
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posted
Tulips - NAC has this affect on me as well, I love it.
Packypacky - Have you checked into financial resources and medical assistance programs in your state? There are links on this site. I totally get the financial burden.
Have you tried Kelp, Nori or Wakame in seaweed food form? They come in sheets or in jars as flake form.
Also have you tried Ashwaganda? Very help for improving adrenal imbalances and supporting a sluggish thyroid.
Posts: 114 | From California | Registered: Jan 2016
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posted
Iodine can cause detox reactions in some people. There are cofactors that help it work better in the body, may want to consider looking at selenium, b vitamins, boron, etc. There is a lot of info on curezone re iodine supplementation.
Posts: 474 | From US | Registered: May 2014
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
my sister puts raw mayonnaise on her hair. swears by it.
but I'm not sure I want to go arounf smelling like mayonnaise
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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posted
I'll try mayonaise. I tried coffee and left it on for the afternoon. Coffee and hair is not a good smell but I plan to use it in between my shampoo and conditioner.
Posts: 653 | From Northern Virginia | Registered: Oct 2014
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posted
I'll try mayonaise. I tried coffee and left it on for the afternoon. Coffee and hair is not a good smell but I plan to use it in between my shampoo and conditioner.
Posts: 653 | From Northern Virginia | Registered: Oct 2014
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posted
You can add 5-10 drops to an 8oz bottle of shampoo depending on how the smell works for you/your nose.
I'd start with adding a few drops though, shake the bottle and see if you can smell the rosemary. Rosemary can be pretty potent smelling so don't overwhelm yourself if you're scent sensitive!
You can also do a concentrated hair massage oil treatment by getting a small bottle (preferably 4oz and dark glass to protect the oils from light), and add a 'carrier' oil like jojoba (rich but good for stimulating hair growth), grapeseed (light and absorbs quick in skin) or even just a good quality olive or sesame oil.
Then add 3-6 drops of Rosemary essential oil. - If you have oily skin or hair you can also add Cypress, Atlas Cedarwood and/or thyme essential oils. - If you have dry hair you can also add Geranium essential oils, and also use Borage or Evening Primrose oil as your carrier oil (for benefits of high EFAs.
- Lavender also balances all scalp conditions.
Feel free to PM me if you need help or have Qs! I've been making skin and hair treatments using essential oils for about 2 yrs now.
Posts: 114 | From California | Registered: Jan 2016
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posted
Thanks
Posts: 653 | From Northern Virginia | Registered: Oct 2014
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dbpei
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33574
posted
Years ago, I used Amla powder on my hair to condition it when I used to color it with henna and indigo (which dried it out). Amla is a really good anti-oxidant and is supposed to be very good for thinning hair. It is also very good for the skin and scalp. I think I am going to look for this again!
posted
Dbpei - Love Amla! I take it internally, great Vit C and antioxidant.
I like the idea of using it in skin & hair preparations like this - thanks for the link!
I used to use Better Botanicals Amla shine shampoo which I loved but looks like the company has changed hands and you can no longer get it.
Posts: 114 | From California | Registered: Jan 2016
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