How to know if you are losing your hair??

thismama · 07-19-2006, 03:56 PM

I'm 29, dx with PCOS since 19.

Lately I've noticed a lot of hair on my hairbrush, in my hands after I run my fingers thru my hair, on my shirt etc.

I don't know if it's just because my hair is long (it's longer than it's been in 15 yrs), or if I'm actually losing my hair.

How do you tell?

For those who have thinning hair, how did you notice at first?

How much hair loss is a problem?

Is there a blood test or something that can be done to know for sure if my hair is falling out due to PCOS, or just coz that's what hair does?

Help! Thanks.

vtmommy · 07-19-2006, 04:05 PM

well I literaly woke up one day and saw it all over my pillow, ever since it has been falling out. Go to a dermintiologist, they will do some looking and dertermine if it is serious. If you can run your hands through your hair and get 5 or ten every time, then most likely you are thinning. HTH

Justarockchick · 07-19-2006, 07:46 PM

Hiya, I started thinning when I was 22, first it was excessive hair wrapped round the brush and then a lot came out when I washed it to the point where my parting looked wider than it should.... I am now reaching 28 and I have thinned so much its unbelievable that I ever had a head full of thick hair (and I am 1/2 Italian so my hair was always real thick) In my opinion I would seek advice from an Endo before you get to having a wide parting or "transparent" looking crown, some medication if caught early can slow the loss down and actually in some cases make it grow back in.. I left it far too late.... Good Luck

elsewhere · 07-20-2006, 04:36 AM

i first noticed my hair thinning when my part was widening. i was (am) very sad about it.

kelliet · 07-20-2006, 10:04 AM

How old were you when you first noticed your hair thining? Im 28 and havent noticed any signs yet but I'm worried about it too.

Cheers

Kellie

ScaredSally · 07-20-2006, 12:00 PM

I ignored it thinking I was imagining it every year from the age of 17 my lush long brown hair was having to be cut shorter and shorte in order to make it look thicker .... when I hit thirty it was in a bob just below my ears adn I noticed my temples were thinning BADLY .. I had short see threw hairs and hairs of varying lenghts would fall out .... you would need more than a blood test to prove your losing your hair you would need to get a biobsy or pull test done by a dermatologist...they can then send the hairs off where they can determine what type of hair loss you have ....

With regards to sehdding .. I am alwasy covered in hairs ... they fall out all day ... if I wear a t-shirt I feel them falling on my arms ... I dont notice much in the shower but I do when I brush my hair ... I now wear extensions hundreds of them in order to give the impression of more hair .. I owuld not leave my flat without them .. curing hair loss from PCOS is VERY VERY hard ... so the earlier you start treatments the better ... do not let a doctor fob you off most of my docs thought I was being neurotic !! but now I have the diagnosis of male pattern baldness ... and its made a huge impact on my life ... I am better now .. I have cosmetic routes to go down .. and some great hair replacement .... but its been a long hard struggle and emotionally damaging ...

If you even suspect hair loss get it checked by a dermatologist adn also see an endocrinologist who specialises in PCOS they can sort out treatments to try .....

ibcnuldu · 07-26-2006, 08:58 AM

I'm kind of having the same issue. I shed a lot. The carpet gets covered in hair. My family is constantly picking hair off my back. My pony tail has gotten a little thinner over the past two years. I had EXTREMELY thick hair when I was younger and now it is just a little thick. I told my doctor about it (he's balding prematurely) and he ran his hands through it and just laughed. He doesn't seem to be worried, but I am.

ScaredSally · 07-26-2006, 10:15 AM

Mate doctors are totally ****e at helping with regards to hair loss they see it as a cosmetic problem and dont see how emotionally damaging it can be ... my FEMALE doctor actually told me to "wear a hat" ....I cant wear hats at work I was so distressed .... i fought tooth and nail to see professinals about it and needed councelling as a result of the trauma from knowing iI was balding like a man ....

you must go and see another doctor and dont let him fob you of and comment on his thinning hair .. if he does the state that its FINE for him he is a man people WONT STARE ....

In this country if a woman is upset about havin gsmall boobs the NHS will fund for them to have cosmetic surgery .. but for a female losing their hair they wont help wiht treatments and wigs because after all "its only hair" ..

GRRRRR sorry ranting but GOD Doctors need to wake up and smell the coffee losing my hair nearly caused me to kill myself .. its a really serious issue

ibcnuldu · 07-26-2006, 05:15 PM

So you'd reccomend a dermatologist to start with? The only problem would be is that I have to go through my male practioner to get a referral. But he's normally pretty understanding about this stuff.

violamarie · 07-26-2006, 08:38 PM

I watch my hair very carefully... everyday I examine my part b/c if it does start to thin, I want to catch it right away. But, you know, things like this are so subjective. It's hard to tell from one day to the next if it's thinner or if more came out in the brush. For a while after I had my baby, I was losing so much hair. But I think now it has slowed down... again, "think" is the operative word b/c I'm not actually counting hairs!
There's no history of PCOS in my family, but there is balding...my grandma and both of my mom's half-sisters experienced significant hair loss. I'm not exactly sure what the cause is. I think thyroid issues may play a role, at least for my grandma.
Anyway, even before I knew I had PCOS, I was paranoid about balding b/c of my family. The only good news is that neither of my parents have any balding issues whatsoever. So I hope I am the same!

violamarie · 07-26-2006, 08:38 PM

I watch my hair very carefully... everyday I examine my part b/c if it does start to thin, I want to catch it right away. But, you know, things like this are so subjective. It's hard to tell from one day to the next if it's thinner or if more came out in the brush. For a while after I had my baby, I was losing so much hair. But I think now it has slowed down... again, "think" is the operative word b/c I'm not actually counting hairs!

There's no history of PCOS in my family, but there is balding...my grandma and both of my mom's half-sisters experienced significant hair loss. I'm not exactly sure what the cause is. I think thyroid issues may play a role, at least for my grandma.

Anyway, even before I knew I had PCOS, I was paranoid about balding b/c of my family. The only good news is that neither of my parents have any balding issues whatsoever. So I hope I am the same!

Justarockchick · 07-26-2006, 10:17 PM

Sally you couldn't have said it more better about this country, altho I appreciate to some people small boobs can be depressing the up side is that they can add bra padders etc and hide them under a top but no our doctors give them enlargement surgery to boost thier confidence yet a woman losing her hair which is in my opinion one of the worse things that can happen as not only does it rob you of your feminity it seriously hinders your confidence, the system does jack s**t and expects you to jus get on with it!! I wear baseball caps to the gym and its killing me, its too warm to hide under hats!

violamarie · 07-26-2006, 10:23 PM

Sorry I double posted! Don't know how that happened...

ibcnuldu · 07-26-2006, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by violamarie

I watch my hair very carefully... everyday I examine my part b/c if it does start to thin, I want to catch it right away. But, you know, things like this are so subjective. It's hard to tell from one day to the next if it's thinner or if more came out in the brush. For a while after I had my baby, I was losing so much hair. But I think now it has slowed down... again, "think" is the operative word b/c I'm not actually counting hairs!

I know exactly how you feel! My hair is curly and when I just don't do anything to it, it seems VERY thick. And slowly it seems to thin out. When I went to see my doctor I didn't do anything to it.

ScaredSally · 07-27-2006, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Sally you couldn't have said it more better about this country, altho I appreciate to some people small boobs can be depressing the up side is that they can add bra padders etc and hide them under a top but no our doctors give them enlargement surgery to boost thier confidence yet a woman losing her hair which is in my opinion one of the worse things that can happen as not only does it rob you of your feminity it seriously hinders your confidence, the system does jack s**t and expects you to jus get on with it!! I wear baseball caps to the gym and its killing me, its too warm to hide under hats!

Yes this country truly sucks .... my doctor looked at me like I was going mad when I begged for some councelling I couldnt cope for the first three years after diagnosis I was seriously considering suicide, I became severely depressed, withdrawn and pushed so many of my friends away .... the hair loss not only affects the way we look it totally affects the way we feel emotionally it IS emotionally devestating I would rather have a full beard than this hair loss ... a beard can be removed by lazer ... (although again the ruddy NHS wont help wiht that costs either) ... I spent a fortune on cosmetic hair I have to or I wouldnt leave the house ... its made me see myself better ....

I have to admit when I was diagnosed something died in me .... I cant get that back the feeling of not worrying every day of wind, rain, sweat .... hair loss is truly the most devestating thing that I as a female have had to endure and I wouldnt even wish it on my worst enemy ...

I am sorry you wear a hat at teh gym .. I too exercise religiously to keep slim(ish) .... I wear thick head bands to cover the front of my hair and top.... but I am looking into wigs etc and this worries me .. will it falloff when I exercise .. will I die of heat ... oh its just horrid ...