Thinning Hair - Chicago,IL

It may be something else is wrong. You should go and have a complete physical, including blood work up before you fall back on baby fatigue.

The same thing happened to me when the baby was around 2- crazy as it sounds I wound up getting womens rogaine- I got the Target brand and it was about $20- because I could totally see thinning spots on top- it took a few months but the falling out part stopped- I never did really see any new growth but I was happy enough stop the process. Also I got a shampoo and conditioner for hair growth at Sallys Beauty Supply.

Get a second opinion and make sure it's not something more serious or complicated, my Mother in Law started losing her hair at 5?, She tried a remedy, where you put rosemary leaves and rosemary oil in your regular shampoo and it started coming out and now has full hair. But if you decide to do the remedy check first with your Doctors that it isn't anything else, since Rosemary can affect people with High Blood pressure. Good Luck!!

Did the doctor check your thyroid?

Sometimes hair loss can be a symptom of a B-vitamin deficiency. It's very easy to develop a B-vitamin deficiency during pregnancy because the body's needs for B vitamins skyrocket immediately after conception, and yet the prescription brands of prenatal vitamins usually have about 1/10th of the amount of B-vitamins that most mothers need during pregnancy.

My suggestion is that you could take a TwinLab brand "Daily One Caps" with breakfast,

http://www.amazon.com/TwinLab-Multi-Vitamins-Multi-Minera...

and a Whole Foods brand "Stress B-Complex" with lunch (just making sure that you not take any B-vitamins after 3 pm). You can see more about the issue of B-vitamins and caffeine on this page (scroll down)...

http://home.mindspring.com/~djsnjones/id1.html

You can read more about hair loss and vitamins in these books. You can probably find these books in your local public library or through inter-library loan...

http://www.amazon.com/CHILDREN-Americas-nutritional-expec...

http://www.amazon.com/Prescription-Nutritional-Healing-Z-...

Best wishes,
J.

hi A.,
I used a natural herbal blend once or twice a week, with a herbal oil and it worked wonderful for me. I feel my hair is much thicker, shinnier and it has grown in length too. If you have any herbal shop close by may be they can help

good luck !

A., you've gotten some good advice about getting more tests done to rule out something else. "Baby fatigue" must be a nice word for STRESS!!! You're a single mother with an almost 2 year old!

Do you eat a healthy diet rich in Omega 3's - these are for skin, hair and nails. Do you eat on the run - fast food or whatever you can get time for? Do you take supplements? Do you drink pop and sugary items? Do you use cheap shampoos and conditioners, color your hair often?

I'm asking these because they all can play a significant factor in your hair loss. I use botanically based shampoos and conditioners. There is even a product that helps spur the regrowth of hair with natural ingredients and I swear by supplements and probiotics! If you would like information on these products, please email me. We moms put way too much on our plates and it does show in one way, shape or form. Diet, exercise, sleep, hair products - all can contribute to this but a good bloodwork would be best and then include all of these. I lost a lot of hair in my early 20's going to college and it was because of stress and poor eating habits. Stress does so much to our bodies and can contribute to worse things down the road if we don't take care of ourselves. I look forward to hearing from you!

K.
Wellness Consultant

I would not really think at 19 months that it would be baby related.
Your hair stops falling out when you are pregnant, but resumes falling out after you deliver, so you notice alot falling out that has been waiting since the begining of your pregnancy to fall out plus all the others that would have normally fallen out.
Did you breastfeed? if so how long? That could halt the falling out process of your hair.
The normal person loses 60 hairs per day.
Is your thinning noticed by anyone else?
Are you dieting or making any life changes?
Are you over stressed?

I think I would get a second opinion on this one, because you are far past having any of it pregnancy related.

I don't have experience with it myself, but someone I know said her hair was thinning and the doctor recommended she take the vitamin Biotin, which worked for her.

Good luck.

I would research online AND get a second opinion. Sudden hair loss can be the symptom of something very serious.

make sure they check your thyroid levels. you could have underactive thyroid.

What an awful thing to have happen. I strongly urge you to have your thyroid and hormone levels tested. Hair loss is usually a symptom of both of these issues, as I know this first hand. Good Luck!

I had a doctor tell me to try rogaine for women or something for thinning hair. It seemed to have helped a little.

WOW, FIRE that doctor! I can't believe that's all he (she?) had to say. My friend lost all of her hair after the birth of her son. It was a condition that is irreversible and sometimes brought on by pregnancy/ childbirth. Her son is now almost 7, and she has worn wigs all this time. I would definitely look into this further, and not settle for a diagnosis of "tired"?!? I hope it's nothing serious, good luck.

Please ask your doctor to test a complete thyroid panel, HgA1C, Vit. B level, and start testing for PCOS as it could be an issue if you want more children and have any trouble getting pregnant the second time around. If your doctor says it's not needed, seek out a second opinion. Make sure you are getting plenty of sleep, taking in a multivitamin, eating well, getting enough exercise and destress time. If you go to a doctor and you are doing everything in your power they are usually more receptive to taking care of you the way you should be taken care of. Also if you lost or gained alot of weight since pre-pregnancy try to get to what your normal weight was before this started.

I lost hair for probably 6 months or so after having my babies. I would also look into your thyroid or if you are on some kind of birth control. Good Luck!

The same thing happened to me when I was your age (I'm about 10 years older than you) and it was upsetting for me. I went to various doctors without too much success, but I did manage to have my thyroid checked. I was put on synthroid, which definitely helped. In addition, remember that, in your thirties, your body is going to be changing and going through hormonal cycles that are different from your twenties. The hair loss did become gradually better, but it took a little time. I think having the thyroid and an overall hormonal check would be a really good idea to start the process. Try not to become too upset by this, since it will get better!!

Can you have your vitamin d3 levels checked? My friend's mom's doctor did and said that upping her d3 levels would help with thinning hair. I know premature graying is a sign of a B5 deficiency (aka pantothenic acid). Next time request to have this done through a blood test.

This article may help:
http://www.examiner.com/x-7158-Chicago-Family-Health-Exam...

Good Luck,
J. W. MPH
Maternal and Child Health Educator
Chicago Examiner Family Health Expert

I would get second and thrid opinions. there is a dr out there tha can help just finding one that has teh experience. good luck, try endocrinologist to help with the hormones etc.
good luck J.

A.,

"Baby fatigue" is not a serious or even a medical response to a serious concern that has implications for your health and that of your daughter, since she's not going to do well if you don't.
First, find another doctor who will take your concerns seriously, and never settle again for such a dismissive answer to your concern. Second, as suggested already, get a blood and/or urine test to assess your hormone levels, iron level, thyroid function, etc. etc. There is no substitute for accurate information and no effective care in its absence. Finally, again as previously mentioned, make sure you are doing all you can to eat properly, exercise as much as possible, and lead a healthy lifestyle. You must do your part while also working with a responsible practitioner. I bet you will find a simple explanation for the hair loss, and whatever steps you take against it will work best in a context of healthy living. Good luck -- it's one decision after another but really worth it!
:-)
Mama S.

Are you taking any medications or birth control? I lot a TON of hair when I was on the Depo Shot. Once I stopped taking the shot, my hair stopped falling out. I was losing gobs of hair each time I washed my hair. It was horrible!

Hi A.,
Are you by chance using the Nuvaring? I had that problem while using nuvaring and once I stopped, my hair grew back with no problem.