Question about hair falling out on Metformin

snugglemama · 07-03-2008, 06:20 PM

Hi!

I have been on Met since April and my hair is falling out in huge clumps...I've read that maybe vitamin b12 could help...has it helped anyone here? My doctor said she doesn't think it is the met but I can try the b12. I'm not sure how it can't be the met because I'm not doing anything else differently and the amount of hair coming out is really disturbing! If anyone has used it successfully, how much did you take? Thanks!

MissMeow · 07-03-2008, 11:31 PM

Since I started the met, I've had hair loss too. Its getting to the point where I can see my scalp through my hair. I've been taking B complex and vitamin B12, but I haven't seen a difference yet. But its only been a couple weeks that I've been taking it. I'm going to go to my doctor next week and get his opinion. I hope that taking the B vitamins helps you, though.

jadern · 07-05-2008, 02:26 AM

Same thing happened to me too.

I never had any obvious symptoms until we went for an infertility appt, they did the PCOS bloodwork and that was the only thing that indicated i had it. Since taking Met, I've started losing my hair (I can see my scalp through my hair UGH) and I've started growing hair where hair has no business growing (my chin UGH!). Of course when I talked to my doctor he said that it was just a side effect of the PCOS. right. I started taking saw palmetto in the hope that it will help bring down my testosterone levels a bit if that's what's causing the hair loss.

MommaKing · 07-05-2008, 02:03 PM

i've been taking met for 6 months and can also see my scalp through my hair. i talked to a pharmacist about it and she suggested taking a vit b complex and a multi vit every day. i just started taking vitamin b 2 weeks ago so i haven't noticed a difference yet. someone in the hair section of SC said that results wouldn't be noticeable for 3 months due to the hair's natural growth/shed cycle. i'll be getting bloodwork done at the end of the month and i'm going to mention the hair loss to my dr. i wanna confirm that the hair loss is due to met s/e and not hormone levels.

novachick · 07-05-2008, 03:11 PM

I started Met and Yaz at the same time, and I think that my hair has grown back. I don't even know how to confirm I had hair loss before, but it "felt" thinner, and the back of my head hurt to the touch. Since starting my meds, it doesn't hurt anymore, and it seems much thicker. Are any of you on BC, too? That might be what did it for me.

Somewhat Damaged · 07-06-2008, 09:35 PM

Something else that can cause hair loss in women is a low ferritin level. Ferritin is the iron storage protein, so a low ferritin represents low iron stores. A lot of PCOS women may have heavy bleeding, which can definitely deplete iron stores.

You can do a google search on 'ferritin hair loss' and come up with a bunch of references if your doctor won't run the test for you.

The recommended ferritin level for hair regrowth is 70.

BridgetCA · 07-07-2008, 01:51 AM

Hey novachick,
Thanks for the positive response. How long were you on those two meds before you noticed a positiive change in your hair?

novachick · 07-07-2008, 04:49 AM

Pretty soon after. I started BC in August, Met in Sept/Oct, and stopped noticing any hair worries within a month or so, I guess. I'm on Yaz, which is supposed to be good for such things, too.

tina_d · 07-07-2008, 09:17 AM

I lost more hair before I started taking Met. Mine would come out in clumps by brushing or just running my fingers thru it. Bathroom sink and tub were always covered with stray hairs. But when I started taking Met, I started taking prenatals, so I think the extra B12 has helped. And since having a hyst, I only notice hair loss if I'm stressed out.

BridgetCA · 07-07-2008, 10:23 PM

Thanks novachick and tina!! It is so nice of you guys to post positive experiences. I've been on 2000 glucophage for only about 2 weeks. I'm hoping my hair loss starts to decrease

Mikako · 07-09-2008, 01:56 PM

Is this an indication that Met will cause hairloss? I have yet to start on Met (which I have every intention to) and I am already losing hair horribly.

I have just started Shen Min Nutrients (Advanced Formula) for 5 days but already i see a great reduction in hairloss .. i would say its down to 1/4 !!

Now now, this Met is scaring me .. shd I take at the expense of my hair? *shivers*

Mikako · 07-09-2008, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by novachick

Pretty soon after. I started BC in August, Met in Sept/Oct, and stopped noticing any hair worries within a month or so, I guess. I'm on Yaz, which is supposed to be good for such things, too.

Hi novachick, whats Yaz?

novachick · 07-09-2008, 04:49 PM

It's a form of the pill, but it's a different chemical combo---not the usual progestin used in many other pills, I think is the difference. It's generally thought that it has anti-androgenic effects, ie, anti-male-hormone-type-effects.

It's worked out really well for me.

Hezzer · 07-09-2008, 05:41 PM

I started taking Metformin on April 1 and added in Flutamide on May 18. Within the last month, I'm seeing tangible hair regrowth since I lost 1/3 of hair in 2002.

I credit the combo of the two medications for it.

Regarding the Yaz, I think it has a form of spironolactone (spiro) in it or at least something comparable to it, which can help combat tesosterone. The commercials mention that Yaz can allow potassium to build up in the body, which is one of the issues with spiro.

I personally had no success with spironolactone where the hair loss and regrowth was concerned.

However, Spironolactone and Flutamide combat testosterone in completely different ways, so one might be good for one cyster while one works better for another.

AvarraClover · 07-11-2008, 01:29 PM

I was loosing my hair but I started using Mane N' Tail shampoo and cream rinse and have seen a dramatic change. I still have more hair than I would like comign out when I brush... but definately not a much as I use to have.