Anyone know what causes the hair loss

lisa922 · 09-12-2004, 12:28 AM

Hi, all....I'm wondering if anyone knows what is the main thing that causes the hair shedding? I suppose there is no really definitive answer or else it wouldn't still be a problem for some many PCOS'ers, but I have been thinking about it a lot lately. Mine started shedding badly again in July. It has shed before and then stopped and started again, but now it is really going crazy. I do know that I went insane in July and ate a boatload of gluten-free cookies. I was diagnosed with Celiac in April, so I have been gluten-free, but once I discovered those gf cookies, I started eating a lot of them. Whenever I've tested my blood sugar myself, it has been fine, but I've had two slightly elevated fasting blood sugars so my endocrinologist is doing the Glucose Tolerance Test in November. I also had some left ovary pains and bad gastro symptoms in July. I guess I'm wondering if the carbs triggered some PCOS symptoms and started this whole hair loss thing again. Thanks for any input!!

secsll · 09-13-2004, 05:25 PM

Actually its one hormone in particular effecting the follicle....I'm not sure of the accuracy of my spelling on this, but its something like 'dyhrydrastione'.....basically bad, bad, testerone bombarding our follicles. The abbreviate is always DHT.....try doing some searches. Hope this helps!

lisa922 · 09-13-2004, 08:27 PM

Savannah -

Thanks for your response! I have heard of DHT before...I'm still very confused!!! My DHT was tested in August 03 (actually, also in July 03) and it was going up and was just above the normal level. So, this July 04 when I went for my yearly, he tested it again and we were going to talk about possible medications to take for it, but it was normal this time - actually pretty low. Just after that is when my hair started shedding like crazy....so, I don't really know what is going on! I was thinking maybe there was another hormone that was acting up and causing it, but maybe something triggered the DHT to go up again. Argh!!!

secsll · 09-14-2004, 02:12 PM

Hi Lisa...

Geez..how frustrating! I know that its reported that some women are simply more sensitive to the level of DHT in their systems...just like with the free testosterone. You can have a relatively normal/low level, but if your hair follicles are very sensitive to it, then thats all it takes to have adverse effects..i.e. hair loss/hirsutism.

Don't ya just LOVE having pcos??

I've been using products by Nioxin....they have a line that is supposed to neutralize the DHT in your scalp...and I have noticed my hair loss has slowed down. Try doing an internet search on it....I buy mine in the salon at either JC Penney here or SuperWalmart's salon. Kind of pricey...but worth it if it can help.