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Helen
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| Posted: June 13 2008 at 8:51am | IP Logged
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I'll never get any suggestions to help me. 
I've been trying to start this topic all week and I just keep deleting it. For some reason, seeing in print,
that your hair is falling out is even worse than seeing it in the mirror. 
I'm pretty sure it is because of my up and down thyroid. But, while I await my thryoid levels to balance out, what are your suggestions?
Should I
~change shampoo? (I currently use the cheapest one from the supermarket.)
~stop using conditioner? (Does it help make the hair fall out?
~cut my hair shorter? (If so, what style is best for those with white on top which is not gray hair but rather scalp showing?  )
~stop using a blow dryer?
~do nothing and just wait it out?
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marihalojen
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| Posted: June 13 2008 at 9:05am | IP Logged
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How many months post-partum are you, Helen? My best friend lost handfuls and handfuls of hair sometime between 4-8 months out. Scared the living daylights out of her! She ended up ramping up her diet with lots of fruits, veggies and proteins and using a special shampoo for ladies who are losing their hair, I think it was from Nexium, perhaps? I do remember that it was specifically for women though. She also had a dye job as that thickens each hair shaft so makes your hair look fuller.
I'm trying to think what else she did...
She changed/added vitamens to her diet, the ones that encourage nail and hair growth, and she washed her hair as infrequently as possible. Keep using conditioner to avoid tangles.
Hope this helps, Helen, for my friend it was totally connected with hormones/birth/breastfeeding etc...
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doris
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How strange! I was just about to post on this very topic, as just yesterday I finally noticed the bald patches that inevitably followed the handfuls of hair that have been falling out... I've literally got bald patches either side of my forehead
For me, it's purely a postpartum thing. It's happened with each baby (actually, worse each time...). I was worried last time until a hairdresser said that it was quite normal and it would all grow back.
It did, but I got strange curly locks either side for a while, and it just would not lie flat. The worst thing was, it looked like I'd done it on purpose!
Anyway, no advice I'm afraid, just patience! This is certainly something we can offer up...
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Mackfam
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| Posted: June 13 2008 at 9:38am | IP Logged
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Me too, Helen. In fact, as I sit nursing I spend my time pulling stray hairs off the baby.
It's happened around 3 months postpartum for me with every baby, but I wondered if my thyroid problems weren't helping out a little this time.
Jennifer gave some great advice...
Coloring does help, though I haven't done it with the last two babies. It's just an expense, and I hate keeping up with the maintenance of it all - you know...having to regularly go in to re-dye...and then it takes time away from the family.
A fresh cut helps immensely. Nothing too short! Just trust me on that one!! Anything too long on me seems to weigh my hair down and just add to that droopy, unhealthy look. So, I opt for longer layers which adds some volume. Keeping the ends cut keeps it healthier looking overall.
Never tried the Nexium shampoo for hair loss - may file that one away if this gets really ugly!
I do use conditioner because I have some wave...well, ok...it's really more of a frizz which I try to tame...and the conditioner helps control tangles and frizz. Nothing too heavy though - or I'm flat...and bald looking...ugh.
Like Elizabeth, my hair grows back (usually within the year) quite curly. Double ugh. Just don't be surprised when it comes back looking different than when it left.
I'll be thinking of you as I scoop up the handfuls of hair from the bottom of the shower. 
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lilac hill
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| Posted: June 13 2008 at 9:49am | IP Logged
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As reassurance--
I remember years ago, after my Mom's last pregnancy, which ended terribly and after much medical mismanagement, Mom started losing alot of hair. She ended up cutting her long hair, chin length and eventually had a wig for awhile.
Her hair did grow back, as beautiful and lush as always. Back then we were a Prell and J&J baby shampooh household with no conditioners; she couldn't tolerate vitamins; and we did have very nutritious meals.
She had hair you just wanted to run your hands through.
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Helen
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| Posted: June 13 2008 at 10:13am | IP Logged
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marihalojen wrote:
How many months post-partum are you, Helen? My best friend lost handfuls and handfuls of hair sometime between 4-8 months out.
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Yes, I also thought some of the loss had to do with post pregnancy. My baby will be 5 months at the end of the month. But, I had noticeable hair loss at the top of my head before my pregnancy when my thyroid had a big drop last year. (How I became or maintained this pregnancy is just amazing.) Now, I notice the receding hair line all around my face.
I've been trying to force down vitamins. Never liked them and they were an absolute nightmare during pregnancy. (Does taking vitamins with a Coke defeat the whole purpose?  )
I haven't dyed my hair. Do the chemicals encourage your hair to fall out?
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JodieLyn
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Being post-partum does not rule out thyroid issues.. I've recently been told that there is a specific thyroid condition that is often brought about post-pregnancy(self correcting) and that is why these conditions are considered "normal" but that they're really related to the thyroid and can be treated.
For myself, I'd consider trying some kelp to support the thyroid.. but there are cautions on that (one type of low thyroid is hindered not helped by it for instance)
Be sure you're getting your omega fats (3, 6, 9's) too.
and perhaps red raspberry leaf since it helps normalize hormones.
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Cay Gibson
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| Posted: June 13 2008 at 10:39am | IP Logged
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I was just questioning this myself this morning when I shampooed.
I am not postpartum and I don't have a problem with my thyroid but I noticed when I towel-dry my hair that I have lots of hair on my shoulder area.
I can only think of two reasons:
1) my dh has thyroid problems and I'm having the hair loss
2) we're all shedding our winter coats. 
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jdostalik
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Helen,
I don't have any thyroid issues but my hair has thinned enough in my postpartum period to cause my hair stylist concern. She has always encouraged me to get Nioxin shampoo just until I am past that period. It does seem to help me.
Hang in there!
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organiclilac
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I am having this too, and I am not postpartum. I do think it is my thyroid, as my basal temps have been WAY higher than they used to be. (I started taking them around the same time as the hair loss after months of not taking them, so I'm not sure when they changed?) I need to make a Dr. appt.
In the meantime, I did cut it shorter to reduce the overall volume. I also brush it out in the morning and then put it in a ponytail (it's just long enough to do that) so that the hairs are contained and not getting EVERYWHERE all day long. It also helps keep my hair from getting tangled. When I brush it out again before bed, I don't want to pull out even more hair removing snarls.
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Donna Marie
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Helen,
I just saw a holistic health practitioner that was Catholic. She really checked out all of my vitamin levels and such and helped me to feel sooo much more healthy. I had no clue (for example) that I was low in Zinc. After having my last dc, I remember that my nails got very weak and was losing quite a bit of hair and it was noticeable to my dh (my hair is long!) as it went with him everywhere stuck to his clothing! As soon as I got my levels straightened out and got through that time after her birth my hair began to grow again and my nails got strong again. Do you think you can find anyone like this out by you? They can even ck your hair for imbalances (hair testing) that kind of test will show a lot.
don't know if this helps much, but! It couldn't hurt to share
Hope you find your answers!
God love you!
Donna Marie from NJ
hs momma to 7dc +one more due 10/08!
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JennGM
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Helen, I was going to post the same thing. It wasn't until 4 1/2 months postpartum that my hair has been falling out in large amounts. I know that is normal, but I was going to ask how LONG is it normal? Did it happen for a few months? Is this still normal?
I'm getting one barer looking patch up front, and it's quite embarrassing. I did so enjoy pregnancy and the short time postpartum when I didn't have to clean up the fallout hairs constantly.
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Helen
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| Posted: June 13 2008 at 8:02pm | IP Logged
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Cay Gibson wrote:
I was just questioning this myself this morning when I shampooed.
I am not postpartum and I don't have a problem with my thyroid but I noticed when I towel-dry my hair that I have lots of hair on my shoulder area.
I can only think of two reasons:
1) my dh has thyroid problems and I'm having the hair loss
2) we're all shedding our winter coats. |
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Funny Cay
Thanks for all your suggestions and reassurances. I didn't realize that this was such a widespread experience.
So it sounds like I should make sure I take my vitamins, cut down on the washing, use a special shampoo, put my hair in a ponytail and wait a little longer for this to stop. Good thing it's summer.
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MarilynW
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Dear Helen - I had this awfully after I stopped nursing my 4th - it was awful and really upset me as I used to have very thick long hair. I saw an endocrinolgist, had a full thyroid check etc. The advice I was given was to cut my hair as there is more stress on long hair, to stop pulling it back tightly in a pony tail, to take extra B vitamins and Biotin (there was some kind of hair vitamin) and I bought some Jason Organics shampoo for thinning hair - cannot remember the name. Someone said to rub coconut oil into the scalp but this irritated my skin
My main advice - stop worrying about it and it will pass (mine finally stopped falling when I was expecting my 5th
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krygerzoo
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My friend was having this same issue and this helped her! Hers wasn't postpartum, maybe premenupausal?
Sarsaparilla by Natures Sunshine
Cheers to healthy hair!
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Bethany
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I've lost hair with each birth. It usually starts around 3 to 4 months and lasts about three months. The first pregnancy I seemed to lose a lot and most is around my face, like a receding hairline. It seems to always start to come back, but then I'm pregnant again, so I always have wispy, baby hairs near my face.
My mother has had hair loss from an autoimmune issue. At one point she did use the Nioxin shampoo and I think that did help some. Her thyroid has always been fine.
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Helen
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| Posted: June 16 2008 at 7:13pm | IP Logged
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Bethany wrote:
| I've lost hair with each birth. It usually starts around 3 to 4 months and lasts about three months. The first pregnancy I seemed to lose a lot and most is around my face, like a receding hairline. |
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Bethany, I think you described my situation exactly. I guess I'm just not used to being pregnant or post partum.
Thanks for your help!
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Ave Maria!
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vmalott
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| Posted: June 18 2008 at 6:56am | IP Logged
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Ah, this is the time I am HAPPY my hair is short!  I can only imagine how distressing the postpartum fallout would be if my hair were longer.
Like Bethany, my experience has been with the fallout starting ~3 months and lasting about 3-4 months. My hairdresser assures me this is pretty normal, so I just live with it and clean out the shower drain every morning!
Valerie
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Helen
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My blood work just came back. My thyroid is heading south again. So, I'm getting an increase in my meds. Interesting.
Thanks again for your suggestions and concern!
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Ave Maria!
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