Wow...one of the most common causes of hair loss in women is iron deficiency. And even if it's not the sole cause, it can definitely be a contributing factor. I would do some research (there are some links to articles on here) and bring articles with you to your next appt. Or find a new doc. Iron deficiency might not be a contributor in your case, but to rule it out without even testing seems strange to me.
Hair loss is a tricky thing and oftentimes there can be multiple contributing factors--for me, it was PCOS, plus iron and Vitamin D deficiencies. I started iron supplementation and spiro at the same time...within two weeks, my massive shedding had stopped, indicating that the shedding was caused by iron deficiency. My ferritin level when I started was at 14...it's recommended to be at 70 for hair regrowth.
Long story short, iron deficiency can and does cause and contribute to hair loss. I have to emphasize that you need to get your ferritin checked and not rely on the CBC.
Good luck!!!
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Originally Posted by ttara123  Thanks for responding! I asked her to check my iron levels but she said no, because "even if we find a deficiency, we won't know if that's the reason." I really should have pushed harder for that one. I *did* insist on a Vit. D test even though she thought it was a waste, and she found that I was a little below normal (exact numbers are in the mail, so I don't know exactly how low yet).
She also said it would be OK for me to double up on the iron I'm taking, and I'm thinking of seeing a derm too, to sort of get a second opinion and see how aggressively a derm would want to figure out the problem and solve it. I was kind of frustrated with my endo because she wants to "wait and see" but I don't want this to get worse! |