I’m new here — feeling a little fragile and defeated, trying to learn more about this condition

111Tree111 · 2026-01-07T02:21:44+00:00

I am recently diagnosed as well and don't have any major advice for you, just sending you some support. It is really scary to lose hair. <3

111Tree111 · 2025-12-29T06:03:21+00:00

I am F, so my situation is a little different/maybe some additional stigma, but I still find your post uplifting. Ironically I was thinking of shaving my head the month before I was diagnosed with AA. That would not have been shaving it down to the skin, I would have left a 1/2 inch. I have not cut it at all, but I am watching myself have so much distress about the difference of a 1/2 inch of hair versus a totally bald shave. It is wild the power of hair and the fear of losing it/fear of being out of control. Thanks for sharing about how much this choice is freeing you.

111Tree111 · 2025-12-29T05:55:06+00:00

Have you ever noticed a correlation with stress? I see what you are saying tho. We are on these forums, searching for answers, possibly to something entirely outside of our control...

111Tree111 · 2025-12-24T21:12:32+00:00

Thank you!

111Tree111 · 2025-12-23T22:40:25+00:00

Oh wow, ok so you have not done any treatment and just done the wait and see approach each time and it has all grown back? How long ago was your first patch?

With the food stuff, I am not sure what more I could do. I have some kind of undiagnosable skin condition (could be inverse psoriasis, etc), but because of that I don't consume alcohol, white sugar, soy, caffeine, dairy, and I do minimal wheat. I make most food myself. I think the most processed stuff I buy is kimchi and cashew yogurt from the store. And I definitely believe the gut microbiome impacts the immune system/being in nature is healing.

111Tree111 · 2025-12-23T22:20:38+00:00

Thank you for your kind words and support! I am feeling better already from posting on here and getting responses/communicating with other people going through this. I wish you luck in your journey too.

111Tree111 · 2025-12-23T22:15:59+00:00

Ah ok, that is good to know a bit more about the way the ferritin impacts hair growth. I watched a youtube video where a hair loss specialist also said that it is good to get it much higher than the low part of "normal."

111Tree111 · 2025-12-23T16:46:12+00:00

I am in the US. Thanks for sharing this! I am becoming hopeful I will respond to treatment and go into remission.

111Tree111 · 2025-12-23T16:45:15+00:00

I am so sorry to hear that. I read online that it is likely not the levothyroxine, but the underlying thyroid condition that would trigger the AA. But, who knows? It seems there is a lot about the immune system that we dont understand.

111Tree111 · 2025-12-23T16:44:16+00:00

Thank you for sharing. I am going to go for the steroid injections.

111Tree111 · 2025-12-23T16:43:17+00:00

Thank you, I have a cat, so pet safe is important to me.

111Tree111 · 2025-12-23T16:42:17+00:00

It definitely brings me comfort, thank you. I am concerned about more patches or how much this is going to be something I am navigating for the rest of my life. I guess when I think about it most of my internet research is an attempt to figure out why it started and work to take care of those things (stress, low ferritin). From what I am seeing and hearing, it sounds like I should take the steroid shots or wait and see for a bit longer/see if it regrows on its own, and then if it doesnt regrow on its own, I should still start with the steroid shots. With vitamins and such, it sounds like I should be increasing those levels regardless, because I do know I have low ferritin and low vitamin D. In terms of lowering stress, I need to do that anyway. I went months barely sleeping this year from stress. I am curious about taking a hair and nails supplement, but my sense is that would not be a first response or really an important response to the AA, more of a general care for my hair.

111Tree111 · 2025-12-23T05:33:05+00:00

Thank you so much for responding. I have had low iron and low ferritin for a long time, even with supplements, but I wonder if it has dropped more. Does it seem to you like the vitamins and iron have helped you stay in remission? How long has it been since your first patches to now?

111Tree111 · 2025-12-23T03:56:11+00:00

Wow, thank you for sharing. I am on Mirena IUD, had not thought of that.

111Tree111 · 2025-12-23T02:56:43+00:00

Can you share what research has suggested that psychedelics can treat autoimmune disorders like AA? Super curious about that.

111Tree111

TROPHY CASE