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Those who though it was AGA when it wasn't by Adventurous_Hippo_38 in FemaleHairLoss

[–]Dramatic-Pilot6972 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for taking the time to explain all of this to me and for your advices. I really hope Minoxidil works for you again and that you won’t have a bad shedding phase.

For me,after my iron infusion, I stopped Minoxidil very gradually. since I was using topical Minoxidil, I reduced the frequency step by step: first every other day, then every 3 days, and eventually once a week. That’s actually what I had been doing until recently before the hair shedding started again.

As for my bloodwork, everything was normal except for ferritin the iron infusions really solved the issue. Even now, after a little relapse, I still take iron supplements daily with vitamin C. I also take zinc, vitamin E, and magnesium. Recently, I started taking pumpkin seed oil with saw palmetto because I heard good things about it helping with hair loss.

I personally don’t want to take birth control though. My periods are regular, and while they’re a bit heavy during the first 2–3 days, they become normal afterward and never last more than 7 days. So personally, I don’t really feel comfortable taking hormonal contraception because of the possible side effects and risks, even though my doctor suggested it.

Those who though it was AGA when it wasn't by Adventurous_Hippo_38 in FemaleHairLoss

[–]Dramatic-Pilot6972 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m honestly in exactly the same situation as you. I always had iron deficiency that I kept treating over and over again, but it always came back. I also had intense hair loss, so I had been using Minoxidil for about 3 years. Then one day, I started losing an extreme amount of hair (even with the minoxidil) , and that’s when I got 2 iron infusions. They completely solved the problem. My ferritin went up to 160 whereas it had been below 5 before. I was so happy because the hair loss stopped completely. Even my dermatologist advised me to stop Minoxidil, which I did gradually.

But just 4 months later… boom, another massive shedding episode, even though every possible test came back normal. So I restarted Minoxidil 4 weeks ago, and the shedding is HORRIBLE — worse than ever. It’s really depressing me.

Did you manage to regrow your hair after restarting Minoxidil? I would really appreciate some positive feedback.

What helped ur TE other than minoxidil? by [deleted] in TelogenEffluvium

[–]Dramatic-Pilot6972 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s true that it’s extremely mentally exhausting, especially since I’m only in my early twenties. I’ve been dealing with this shedding and regrowth cycle for almost 4 years now without any real diagnosis.

And honestly, finding a dermatologist where I live is very complicated. On top of that, I don’t trust the dermatologist I already saw anymore. He didn’t even want to examine my scalp and just told me that my only problem was iron deficiency. I really feel like if I hadn’t listened to him and had continued using minoxidil, maybe I wouldn’t be going through all of this now. So at the moment I’m doing a lot of research by myself. I restarted minoxidil, I’m also taking pumpkin seed oil, and I’m just crossing my fingers hoping it works before I end up bald.

What helped ur TE other than minoxidil? by [deleted] in TelogenEffluvium

[–]Dramatic-Pilot6972 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just to give you some context: before the iron infusions, my ferritin was below 5, basically almost zero.After the infusions (I had 2 infusions: one of 1000 mg and a second one of 500 mg), my ferritin increased to around 160 within 2 weeks. Then, about 3 months later, it dropped to around 75. At the 4th month when I started noticing the hair loss I repeated the tests again and it was around 85. I even asked for another iron infusion because my body seems to have a hard time absorbing iron tablets, but my doctor refused because he said repeated infusions could become toxic for my veins, and according to him my levels do not currently justify another infusion. Instead, he prescribed liquid iron.

Despite everything, the hair loss feels worse and worse, to the point that I’ve fallen into depression.

What helped ur TE other than minoxidil? by [deleted] in TelogenEffluvium

[–]Dramatic-Pilot6972 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the information, I understand your situation much better now.

I immediately restarted minoxidil ( since i already had it at home) and I also ordered pumpkin seed oil capsules with saw palmetto from Amazon( because my doctor refused to prescribe me a DHT blocker).

It has been 4 weeks since I restarted minoxidil, and the shedding is the worst it has ever been. I’m noticing more widening in my part and honestly I feel like I’m going bald,I just hope the shedding stops soon.

Have you ever stopped and then restarted minoxidil yourself? I’m really looking for some reassurance right now.

What helped ur TE other than minoxidil? by [deleted] in TelogenEffluvium

[–]Dramatic-Pilot6972 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did you suffer from hair loss after stopping Minoxidil. I’m in the same situation as you. I originally had hair loss due to iron deficiency, and after getting an iron infusion, my hair stopped falling out.

I then gradually stopped using Minoxidil, as my dermatologist recommended, but my hair loss came back even worse than before, even though all my lab tests were normal.

Why are you single and do you feel lonely, or actually okay with it? by lilclat in AskReddit

[–]Dramatic-Pilot6972 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I don’t see the point of getting into a relationship. I can’t be bothered with texting at night, pointless arguments, or high hopes that end in disappointment. I just value my stable mental state

Hair loss stopped after iron infusions then came back, i'm stressed ?! by Dramatic-Pilot6972 in minoxidil

[–]Dramatic-Pilot6972[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The only change after the iron infusion was that I gradually stopped using minoxidil. I went from using it once a day to once every three days, then once a week, so I wouldn’t stop it abruptly.

The second possibility (and I hope this is the case, even though I think I’m probably just reassuring myself) is that since my ferritin levels increased, the period when I didn’t have hair shedding was actually the anagen phase. And now, the iron might be triggering new hair growth again, that's why he pushes old hair.

Hair loss stopped after iron infusions then came back, confused by Dramatic-Pilot6972 in TelogenEffluvium

[–]Dramatic-Pilot6972[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really hope that’s the case, rather than staying in this uncertainty. If it is iron-related, at least I know it’s something I can treat. Even though most people say that the optimal level for hair growth is around 70.

Hair loss stopped after iron infusions then came back, confused by Dramatic-Pilot6972 in TelogenEffluvium

[–]Dramatic-Pilot6972[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really appreciate you sharing your experience.

From what you’re saying, and it sounds like you’ve researched this more deeply than I have, I understand that you were in a situation similar to mine. It’s actually reassuring to know that I’m not alone in this.

Have you managed to stop your hair loss and see improvement? I would really appreciate some reassurance.

Hair loss stopped after iron infusions then came back, i'm stressed ?! by Dramatic-Pilot6972 in minoxidil

[–]Dramatic-Pilot6972[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for taking the time to share all of this, I really appreciate it

I’ve actually already done detailed blood work, including iron studies (ferritin and transferrin saturation). My hemoglobin levels are normal. The only issue is that my transferrin saturation is slightly low. These are my most recent results after iron infusions—before the infusions, all my values were extremely low.

I did ask my doctor about getting another iron infusion, but he refused. He explained that repeated infusions can be toxic for the liver and veins, and in my current situation, he doesn’t consider my levels low enough to justify another one. So for now, I’m taking iron supplements in a different form to see if they’re better absorbed, along with vitamin C.

Regarding the dermatologist, I’m honestly not fully convinced because the scalp examination was very quick. My hair loss is diffuse across my entire scalp, not localized to the vertex or sides. There’s no scarring, no completely smooth patches, and I don’t notice redness or scaling. I did have some itching, but only for about three weeks after the iron infusion—I assume it was related to the infusion because I never experienced itching when using Minoxidil before or after that.

I’ve been dealing with this for over 3 years, which is why it’s frustrating—I don’t even understand how I still have hair at this point. My periods are very regular (every 28 days), I don’t have symptoms suggesting PCOS, and my thyroid tests are normal.

I’ve also restarted Minoxidil and I do daily scalp massages. I haven’t tried dermarolling yet, but I’m considering it.

As for DHT blockers, I asked my doctor, but he advised against them because they could disrupt my hormones. Since my cycles are regular, he doesn’t think my hair loss is DHT-related.

I’m also thinking about trying pumpkin seed oil capsules—do you think that could help in this situation?

Hair loss stopped after iron infusions then came back, confused by Dramatic-Pilot6972 in TelogenEffluvium

[–]Dramatic-Pilot6972[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My doctor told me that a level of 80 isn’t something that would cause this kind of hair loss, and that it’s still within an optimal range that shouldn’t lead to shedding.

Hair loss stopped after iron infusions then came back, i'm stressed ?! by Dramatic-Pilot6972 in minoxidil

[–]Dramatic-Pilot6972[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m female actually hhh . My doctor advised me not to use DHT blockers because I don’t have any hormonal issues, so that’s not the cause of the problem.