This has been going on for several months. Seems like it started when I started abx about three months ago. It's not coming out in clumps but I'm getting concerned. When I shower or brush my hair there's so much coming out. My hair is kind of long and I'm constantly picking hairs off my shirt. Is this normal when in treatment?
Posted by jlcd1 (Member # 18138) on :
biotin saved my hair, I took about 4 or 5mg a day, but I would get your thyroid levels checked.
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
Some ppl have mentioned the same thing but hair loss can also be caused by low thyroid or diabetes. Best to get those things checked just to make sure there are no problems that need treatment.
Terry I'm not a doctor
Posted by sbh93 (Member # 30429) on :
I had everything evaluated like others mentioned. Treatment and nutritional supplementation based on test results vastly reduced my hair loss, as did reducing washing and brushing/styling.
Posted by chastain (Member # 34236) on :
My hair was falling out earlier this year too and with vitamins and biotin especially it is thicker and shinier than ever now. It is such a blow to your self image have thinning hair, but if mine can be restored to this degree, I think anyone's can with this illness. Jess
Posted by linky123 (Member # 19974) on :
Nioxin shampoo - kind of expensive, but it works. The salon inside the Walmart Super Center has the cheapest I have found.
Posted by jlf2012 (Member # 36002) on :
Thanks everyone for the suggestions.
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
Definitely can be a symptom of low thyroid!
Posted by jlf2012 (Member # 36002) on :
I'm getting my thyroid checked and I bought nutri-ox at Sally's. They didn't have Nioxin but this is comparable...we'll see. I just washed my hair and so much came out:(
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
Lyme depletes vitamins, minerals and enzymes from our bodies. Get a good B complex with some biotin in it (works).
Posted by Lymeorsomething (Member # 16359) on :
Check ferritin level too....should be at least 70-90...
Posted by jlf2012 (Member # 36002) on :
Iron, ferrtin and thyroid...okay will check these. Found my B complex, only has 33% daily biotin. This probably isn't enough is it?
Posted by jupiter76 (Member # 37697) on :
I have the same problem, nothing works. It got worse with more intensive treatment so I believe it�s inflammation or so.
Posted by chastain (Member # 34236) on :
Jupiter, have you tried biotin? It was like a miracle for me, I have such thick hair now.
Posted by cocowyo (Member # 36286) on :
My hair loss was related to inflammation from my autoimmune disease. Once the inflammation decreased, so did my hair loss.
Posted by Haley (Member # 22008) on :
Definitely the Ivermectin causes my hair to fall out. I hear that the Albeza does the same thing, but I have not started yet.
Posted by jlf2012 (Member # 36002) on :
Well, my hair is still falling out. I'm waiting on my thyroid results. I had blood work done which showed I'm deficient in copper, Coenzyme Q10 and pantothenate. Copper and pantothenate deficiency can cause hair loss. My biotin level was fine. So, I'm wondering if I should continue supplementing with biotin or just focus on the ones I'm low in. Anyone here been low in these minerals or enzymes?
Posted by Lymeorsomething (Member # 16359) on :
How was your ferritin?
Posted by jlf2012 (Member # 36002) on :
I don't see ferritin on the test. Is there another name for that?
Posted by SickLYme (Member # 34104) on :
I am also having the same problem....my Dr has ordered to re-test my thyroid but she just checked it 2 months ago and it was fine. Now it seems everytime I turn around, another 20 hairs has fallen out....and I have been taking biotin for a while.
I love my hair so this is very depressing for me...
I feel like a chemo patient. Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Which abx are you on, jlf??
I did find that using Nizoral shampoo (or other dandruff shampoo) stopped my hair loss one time. Only had to use it for a week. With all the abx patients are on, it's common to get a fungus on your scalp.
Posted by jlf2012 (Member # 36002) on :
That's interesting Lymetoo. I would have never thought of that. OK, I'll give that a try too. Thanks all.
Posted by Lymeorsomething (Member # 16359) on :
You'll probably have to ask for a ferritin test. It's generally not checked in routine blood work. Serum iron is not very helpful.
Nizoral is helpful but you may have to get it online. I don't see it in many drugstores anymore.
Posted by skies (Member # 28064) on :
I use Nizoral, too.. usually a couple days a week. I think it helps some, but it doesn't stop it entirely.
I bought mine on drugstore.com.
Biotin (I take 5 mg./day) and a high quality multi vitamin/mineral supplement help as well.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
great....my is now falling out too
and stress i'm sure plays a part.
amazon loves me. i order everything from them.
and i don't color, tease, or anything else my hair.
nizoral is a shampoo???
Posted by skies (Member # 28064) on :
I think stress can play a big part too.
Nizoral is an anti fungal/dandruff shampoo. They used to carry it at my local CVS, but stopped for some reason. I think it helps a little.
Posted by jlf2012 (Member # 36002) on :
I have head and shoulders in the closet. Would that do the same as nizoral?
Posted by JBS (Member # 37360) on :
My dermatologist recommended aldactone (Spironolactone). I have been getting it for several years now and it's a miracle drug for me. I was seriously considering getting a wig, and now I don't have the balding spots.
I have a bit of high blood pressure and the med really is made to treat HBP. So it works great for me. It's very mild, so I don't think it will lower one's blood pressure too much - but you have to check it out.
I have orthostatic hypotension, so I need my blood pressure to be up a little. I stopped taking my other blood pressure medicine and just took this in a mild dosage and somehow works. It doesn't lower it too much, but leaves it just high enough to keep me from fainting when I stand up. (This was all with approval from my cardio!)
My dermatologist said that you need to get your liver tested every three months on it. But my cardio doesn't seem worried about it.
I have to say - as miracle drug that it is - very few people have ever heard of it being used for alopecia. But in my case, it definitely works. I would be terribly depressed if I ever had to give it up.
![[Frown]](frown.gif)