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christina 11.10.2007, 06:27	hair texture (Anemia & Hair Loss) Post reply
	I've lost close to half of my hair over the last 2 and a half years, and I'm working on raising my ferritin level.(was 28). I've noticed that when I have fallen hair, it is extremely dry and I can break 20 or more hairs in my hand at once, with no trouble at all. The composition of my hair sucks. Other than iron deficiency, what else could cause my hair to be so weak? Does anyone know if this happens with AGA? It's my understanding that AGA affects healthy hair and doesn't neccessarily change the over all composition of the hair. My hair loss is diffuse, even slightly in my eyelashes and legs. Any one know more than I do? My thyroid is normal.. christina is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
Rae 11.10.2007, 09:17 @ christina	hair texture Post reply
	I know that my hair texture seemed to change overnight. I had a ferritin of 28 too when all of this started for me. I do know that my hair texture got better or seemed to when I added Pumpkin Seed Oil. It started to feel like my old hair again. But I think a lot of it has to do with hormones. Everyone tells me the new hair growing is healthy..but to me it seems finer, weaker and just different. I think it could just "feel" that way because I have less of it now. I really wonder if my hair will ever go back to normal. I'm having my doubts with each passing month. Rae is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
Sadie 11.10.2007, 11:05 @ christina	hair texture Post reply
	I had a Ferritin of 10 when my hair loss started. At the last test it was 107 but my hair texture hasnt improved in the slightest. If anything, since the upping of ferritin ive been diagnosed with AGA and the texture continues to get worse: dry, split ends, dead looking and limp. Totally crap. Sadie is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
delilah 11.10.2007, 11:27 @ christina	hair texture Post reply
	My ferritin level was over 90 and my hair felt like absolute crap and was exactly as described it felt like alien hair. The texture didn't change at all until I upped my hormones. My hair texture improved greatly even before the shedding stopped when I did that. delilah is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
nomoresheds 11.10.2007, 14:04 @ delilah	hair texture Post reply
	I believe my ferritin was at 11 at one point and my hair was ok texture wise. At a later date it was about 23 or so and it was horrible. It is still horrible when wet but when dry it is pretty soft. I use a conditioner every time I wash it. My ferritin is still on the low side..most likely under 70 at this point. I think iron supplements do help though - my 2cents. nomoresheds is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
mauri 11.10.2007, 18:58 @ delilah	hair texture Post reply
	A big ditto on that one. Estrogen makes all the difference in the world for those of us that are in peri or menopause. When the E goes down, the hair looks like major CRAP. Nothing else will help if your estrogen is too low or flutuating. The key is figuring that one out. Yes estrogen may be risky (even low dose) however that is a choice that each individual has to make. I am glad I have given it a chance as I feel much better(more energy, less depressed, sleep better and hair feels fantastic again. The shed has cut in half in only 2 weeks and Im hoping for a complete stop witin the month. Will keep you posted for those who are interested in this route. Mauri mauri is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
Sadie 11.10.2007, 19:31 @ delilah	hair texture - question to Mauri Post reply
	» My ferritin level was over 90 and my hair felt like absolute crap and was » exactly as described it felt like alien hair. The texture didn't change » at all until I upped my hormones. My hair texture improved greatly even » before the shedding stopped when I did that. Hi Mauri - how did you "up" your hormones, if i may ask? And what hormones did you use? Ta. Sadie is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
mauri 11.10.2007, 20:13 @ Sadie	hair texture - question to Mauri Post reply
	Hi Sadie, When my period began to get slightly irregular last fall my estrogen began to fluctuate high and then low below 100. It dropped as low as 81 this past month. Although the gyno said I am not in perimenopause, I am almost 50 and I have been told that even though your FSH will not show you are in menopause you very well can be. Often it will not show up on the FSH level until you are well into menopause and then all they symptoms are there. After much testing and shedding for 4 solid months I was able to get on a low dose of vivelle dot and prometrium(progesterone) I started with .0375mg and worked my way up to .075mg. After about 10 days on the higher dose the feel of my hair changed dramatically back to the silky feel it once was. I was shedding up to 160 per day. After 10 days on the .075mg, the shed was finally down to 70 without coming out during the day. Ive been on this dose for only 18 days. Im hoping the remaining shed will end by the end of October. Doctors will say it takes 3 months however once I got to the right dose the change has been pretty quick. I believe that as estrogen doses go, this is still fairly low. Its a transdermal patch that is changed 2X a week. The prometrium you take for 12 days. My period has moved back up toward 28 days again as it had moved down to every 20 days for the past 4 months.(very unusual for me) If my hair finally stops shedding and I get some regrowth I will let everyone know. I did travel to Dr. Redmond to confirm what I suspected to be perimenopause. He raised my dosage to the one its at currently. I am hoping to get some little new hairs on top in the next few months. Then I will know I am going back to normal for me. Mauri mauri is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
nomoresheds 12.10.2007, 14:04 @ mauri	hair texture - question to Mauri Post reply
	Mauri that is great!!! So you had to get Redmond to give you the estrogen? My docs won't do it. I will have to go doctor shopping again if I want it but I'm one who is still not showing a big fsh change but I've been in peri for YEARS now. Doctors don't seem to look at the person, only a lab number. I even know exactly what I want to take but just can't get it....I'm working on one of my gyns to see if she will relent soon. nomoresheds is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
megan 12.10.2007, 16:12 @ nomoresheds	to nomoreshead Post reply
	Nomore, what are you thinking about taking? I've tried everything and no improvement. I'm so desperate for hormones, but no dr. will prescribe. I'm 45 and have alot of peri symptoms. Mauri, what dose of progestrone are you taking? Please keep us updated on your progress and good luck! Thanks M megan is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
megan 12.10.2007, 16:13 @ megan	I meant to say to nomore and mauri (above) Post reply
	I meant to say to nomore and mauri (above) megan is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
nomoresheds 12.10.2007, 18:19 @ megan	I meant to say to nomore and mauri (above) Post reply
	I am not a big proponent of ingesting meds and such...I would rather not use anything but I'm willing to try a few things at the lowest possible dose I can get (that is another issue with doctors, the amount you get). I'm going to try prometrium at 100mg daily (because I am depleted) and I am trying to get on menostar, an HRT estrogen. I gave it 2 years before I asked for this and I do worry about taking anything. I could use yaz or yasmin but I would need to stop it in a few years, plus I am really worried about the sheds some women are experiencing from bcps...it is clear to me that hormones are the culprit for many of us, especially when you see a bcp shed or peri shed. It all points to hormone imbalance. I do think my body is making an attempt to cope with the changes of peri and I think I will see things level off at menopause. I don't think the increased shedding will stop totally though. I have serious meno symptoms and my fsh doesn't show much. So much for using fsh as a guide. Bunch of hooey for many of us. nomoresheds is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
delilah 12.10.2007, 18:34 @ nomoresheds	hair texture - question to Mauri Post reply
	Nomoresheds the key to this is when you started HL. If you never had problems in the past with pregnancy, bcps, previous thinning problems and your problems started in your 40 it's most likely perimenopausal estrogen fluctuation that's causing your problems. As Mauri said your FSH could be normal and you could still be in peri. For me I was obvious bc I was already in menopause but I ended up going to Dr Redmond since no one took my HL problems seriuosly prior to him. I was on a low dose of estrogen before Dr Redmond from my gyno but it didn't do anythign to stop my HL bc the dose wasn't high enough. delilah is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
delilah 12.10.2007, 18:36 @ nomoresheds	I meant to say to nomore and mauri (above) Post reply
	What dosage of menosatar are you considering. Unfortunately the hair requires the most estrogen, more than your bones or neurological problems. delilah is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
Chris 12.10.2007, 19:30 @ delilah	to Delilah Post reply
	What you asked of nomoresheds is true for me. What test should I ask for regarding low estrogen? Chris is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
ginawat 12.10.2007, 21:04 (edited by ginawat, 12.10.2007, 22:16) @ mauri	hair texture - question to Mauri Post reply
	» Hi Sadie, » When my period began to get slightly irregular last fall my estrogen » began to fluctuate high and then low below 100. It dropped as low as 81 » this past month. Although the gyno said I am not in perimenopause, I am » almost 50 and I have been told that even though your FSH will not show you » are in menopause you very well can be. Often it will not show up on the FSH » level until you are well into menopause and then all they symptoms are » there. After much testing and shedding for 4 solid months I was able to » get on a low dose of vivelle dot and prometrium(progesterone) I started » with .0375mg and worked my way up to .075mg. After about 10 days on the » higher dose the feel of my hair changed dramatically back to the silky » feel it once was. I was shedding up to 160 per day. After 10 days on the » .075mg, the shed was finally down to 70 without coming out during the day. » Ive been on this dose for only 18 days. Im hoping the remaining shed will » end by the end of October. Doctors will say it takes 3 months however once » I got to the right dose the change has been pretty quick. I believe that as » estrogen doses go, this is still fairly low. Its a transdermal patch that » is changed 2X a week. The prometrium you take for 12 days. My period has » moved back up toward 28 days again as it had moved down to every 20 days » for the past 4 months.(very unusual for me) If my hair finally stops » shedding and I get some regrowth I will let everyone know. I did travel to » Dr. Redmond to confirm what I suspected to be perimenopause. He raised my » dosage to the one its at currently. I am hoping to get some little new » hairs on top in the next few months. Then I will know I am going back to » normal for me. » Mauri I'm soooooo confused about the estrogen being low at 81? On day three of my cycle (follicular) my estradiol was at 42 - which was within normal range. Should I be concerned? I am 38yrs old and not in peri. Can someone tell me what low estrogen is and what is normal? Whoops - estradiol was a 32 on day #3 of my cycle (not 42) I think estrogen gradually increases from days 1-14....I will list a bunch of my other results on a new post to see if something jumps out. Thanks Thanks ginawat is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
mauri 12.10.2007, 21:13 @ megan	I meant to say to nomore and mauri (above) Post reply
	Grrrr. I am so irritated. I wrote this huge response and then it asked for me to log in and I lost it all. boo hoo mauri Megan, I am on 200mg prometrium mauri is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
ginawat 12.10.2007, 22:19 @ mauri	hair texture Post reply
	» A big ditto on that one. Estrogen makes all the difference in the world for » those of us that are in peri or menopause. When the E goes down, the hair » looks like major CRAP. Nothing else will help if your estrogen is too low » or flutuating. The key is figuring that one out. Yes estrogen may be risky » (even low dose) however that is a choice that each individual has to make. » I am glad I have given it a chance as I feel much better(more energy, less » depressed, sleep better and hair feels fantastic again. The shed has cut in » half in only 2 weeks and Im hoping for a complete stop witin the month. » Will keep you posted for those who are interested in this route. » Mauri Mauri ~ what form of estrogen are you using? ginawat is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
ginawat 12.10.2007, 22:21 @ mauri	hair texture - question to Mauri Post reply
	» Hi Sadie, » When my period began to get slightly irregular last fall my estrogen » began to fluctuate high and then low below 100. It dropped as low as 81 » this past month. Although the gyno said I am not in perimenopause, I am » almost 50 and I have been told that even though your FSH will not show you » are in menopause you very well can be. Often it will not show up on the FSH » level until you are well into menopause and then all they symptoms are » there. After much testing and shedding for 4 solid months I was able to » get on a low dose of vivelle dot and prometrium(progesterone) I started » with .0375mg and worked my way up to .075mg. After about 10 days on the » higher dose the feel of my hair changed dramatically back to the silky » feel it once was. I was shedding up to 160 per day. After 10 days on the » .075mg, the shed was finally down to 70 without coming out during the day. » Ive been on this dose for only 18 days. Im hoping the remaining shed will » end by the end of October. Doctors will say it takes 3 months however once » I got to the right dose the change has been pretty quick. I believe that as » estrogen doses go, this is still fairly low. Its a transdermal patch that » is changed 2X a week. The prometrium you take for 12 days. My period has » moved back up toward 28 days again as it had moved down to every 20 days » for the past 4 months.(very unusual for me) If my hair finally stops » shedding and I get some regrowth I will let everyone know. I did travel to » Dr. Redmond to confirm what I suspected to be perimenopause. He raised my » dosage to the one its at currently. I am hoping to get some little new » hairs on top in the next few months. Then I will know I am going back to » normal for me. » Mauri Does anyone know why Dr. Redmond wouldn't go this route with all of us...instead of Yasmone or Yaz. The approach he is taking with Mauri is much more appealing...as I believe both Vivelle and Prometrium are considered more natural hormones than bcps. ginawat is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
mauri 13.10.2007, 09:12 @ ginawat	hair texture - question to Mauri Post reply
	He may have seen something different in my test results. Remember I am almost 50 and had 6 different sets of blood tests that show an obvious fluctuation in estradiol over the past 6 months. My symptoms were obvious since I had never had a period off of 28 days over a 9 month range. They became heavier and then dropped off to very light and became shorter. Sleep became bad by waking up all night and not being able to go to sleep. Had trouble remembering everything etc. Yours may show something different slightly that would lead all doctors to believe it is not just hormonal. Also, my sister has AA and has since 3 months old. I do not have that pattern. All other women in the family line have very full heads of hair even my grandmother at 101. I must be very susceptible to hormonal fluctuations. Also, Ive never used birth control so why start me now. I have no family history of breastor uterine cancer or blood clots. Still that doesnt mean I wont get that so it is something I thought about before starting all this. There may be a number of good hair docs. I ended up going to him because a women in new york gave me the information on a skin board. After reading his book I was interested and I knew of no other doctor to go to about it. Each woman is different and I would think would need individualized treatment. I was also prescribed finasteride in the case that there was any underlying issues. I have opted to wait on the estrogen for a month to see what results I get before added this if necessary. Ofcourse I take the chance of losing more hair but its what I have decided is best for me. Mauri mauri is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
nomoresheds 13.10.2007, 09:27 @ delilah	I meant to say to nomore and mauri (above) Post reply
	» What dosage of menosatar are you considering. Unfortunately the hair » requires the most estrogen, more than your bones or neurological problems. Since I haven't been able to get this, I only know it is very low dose. I think we can vary in our needs and reactions to estrogen so I want to start low and work up to what works. Right now, I can't even get it prescribed! nomoresheds is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
nomoresheds 13.10.2007, 09:35 @ delilah	TO Delilah Post reply
	» Nomoresheds the key to this is when you started HL. If you never had » problems in the past with pregnancy, bcps, previous thinning problems and » your problems started in your 40 it's most likely perimenopausal estrogen » fluctuation that's causing your problems. As Mauri said your FSH could be » normal and you could still be in peri. For me I was obvious bc I was » already in menopause but I ended up going to Dr Redmond since no one took » my HL problems seriuosly prior to him. I was on a low dose of estrogen » before Dr Redmond from my gyno but it didn't do anythign to stop my HL bc » the dose wasn't high enough. I have consulted with many doctors and I do listen to my body and am well aware of the changes over the years. It was a shock at first. The hair was one of the last symptoms. This is a hormonal problem for me, I think. I would love to know why other women who drop hormone levels (we all do at some point) have no problem with hair loss. My advice regarding fsh is not to pay much attention to it, I know tons of women with normal fsh and they are well into peri, just like me. It is NOT a good indication of what is happening. I may have to see Redmond. I do know some women who had no luck with him but it could be their hair loss is from a different cause. nomoresheds is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
delilah 13.10.2007, 10:40 @ nomoresheds	I meant to say to nomore and mauri (above) Post reply
	true but what I'm saying is don't be upset if the low dose doesn't work bc it doesn't mean that you won't be responsive to a higher dose of estrogen. I was on a low dose first so I naturally thought that was enough but it wasn't. delilah is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
delilah 13.10.2007, 10:49 @ nomoresheds	TO Delilah Post reply
	Exactly not everyone has the same issues regarding HL. Some cases may be much more difficult to treat especially if there is a big hereditary component factoring in. delilah is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
delilah 13.10.2007, 10:52 @ ginawat	hair texture - question to Mauri Post reply
	He wouldn't treat everyone the same way bc not all HL issues are estrogen related some are due to too much testosterone, PCOS, hereditary AGA etc. I don't know much about hormone levels in a normal cycle. delilah is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
megan 20.10.2007, 13:03 @ nomoresheds	To nomoreshead Post reply
	Why have you decided on menostar instead of vivelle (which seems like everyone is using). Thanks megan megan is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO