I've been working on solving the issue of my hair loss problem with Lyme. I'm 27 years old, male and do not have a family history of hereditary baldness. I've been losing hair in a diffused manner since I was 18. Sometimes I have small nickle-sized hair loss spots as well.
Throughout my ordeal, I have only noticed significant improvement in my hair with two products. First, I did a stint of Propecia when I was around 20-21 without an identified hair loss cause. Second, on a trial of Prednisone my hair, to my amazement, began to grow back in. I noticed hair cropping up around the front and the crown.
Most of us are well aware of the dangers of taking corticosteriods, especially for people suffering with Lyme disease. Thus, it's not a valid solution, but it had left me wondering how Prednisone is able to create hair regrowth.
Excerpt:
"Question: I have experienced hair thinning/loss for the past 7 years. I am now 29. I noticed the thinning after a 3 month period of taking Fastin for weight reduction. Recently I was prescribed prednisone for an allergic reaction to an unknown source. Something I noticed immediately was growth of my frontal hairline. I also took tagamet and atarax during the 2 week period of the allergic reaction. Could one or a combination of these drugs be causing my hair growth? Would it be sensible to request my physician to continue this treatment to regrow my hair?
Answer: The only drug the potentially would have an effect is the Prednisone. This can cause hair growth when the loss is due to inflammation (not the typical male type balding). The other medications would have no effect. A better question is what caused the loss of hair. There is a fairly significant work up including biopsy which will be necessary to answer this question." -- http://www.druginfonet.com/index.php?pageID=faq/new/DISEASE_FAQ/Hair_Growth.htm
Well, that makes sense. Lyme disease sufferers are notorious for having inflammation issues. But, not everyone who has Lyme disease suffers from hair loss.
Which now begs the question, is the issue:
a. Lyme b. Babesia c. Fungal / Yeast
I don't know if Babesia typically causes hair loss issues, but I've read recently about someone treating their Babesia with Malarone and having the "hurting hair" symptom. I actually had that symptom myself when I was about 18; but not during treatment.
Excerpt:
"Treatment and Management
Pharmacologic therapy
1. Thyroid replacement (levothyroxine [Levoxyl]) or adjustment for underlying hypothyroidism
2. Ketoconazole and oral antifungal agents including griseofulvin (Grifulvin) itraconazole (Sporanox) terbinafine (Lamisil) and fluconazole (Diflucan) for underlying fungal infection
3. Oral steroids (i.e. prednisone) for underlying fungal infection
4. Spironolactone (Aldactone) flutamide (Eulexin) and finasteride (Propecia) to treat underlying hormone imbalance
5. Penicillin tetracycline doxycycline or Rocephin for underlying secondary syphilis
6. Tapering or discontinuation of drugs causing hair loss including antihypertensive agents anti-gout medications etc
7. Behavioral therapy anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications for underlying psychological illnesses
8. Drug therapy for alopecia including minoxidil (Rogaine 2% for women Rogaine 5% for men) finasteride (Propecia for MEN only) estrogen (for women only) and tretinoin (Retin-A) "
It is evidenced through this treatment guide that many hair loss sufferers have an underlying condition that can be treated with antibiotics or antifungals. Predinose is even listed as a treatment for underlying fungal infection, which certainly helped my cause.
Identifying what is the actual causal agent of the hair loss, I haven't figured that out yet.
Posted by azdaisy (Member # 25357) on :
thyroid is a huge cause for most of us!
Posted by Wolfed Out (Member # 23727) on :
Yes, sorry! I got slight tunnel vision, because I believe my problem is more connected to fungal/yeast infection. And, I'm convincing myself of it more every hour.
But, I'm very aware that hypothyroidism can be a cause of hair loss, among a bunch of other symptoms.
I think it's important to note that I had a problem with opiates like Oxycodone. Although my thyroid tests have come back normal, there may be a problem with the receptors causing the symptoms of Hypothyroidism. This is also touched on in Dr. B's Guidelines in a paragraph about the HPA.
However, I don't think this is the main issue, because I hadn't had thyroid symptoms until last year. I've been losing hair for close to 8 years.