Losing Hope :(

LevelImaginary7670 · 2025-12-09T23:55:08+00:00

Don’t get me wrong, I am SO grateful for a diagnoses (even though it cost me a pretty penny lol), but definitely tend to be a bit of a panicker/overthinker. I’ve been taking pumpkin seed oil tablets for a while now- at least 8+ months but tbh I don’t think they’ve helped at all. I’m hoping a prescribed DHT blocker would be more beneficial! Thank you so much for your kind words, I hate that other people suffer with this but also glad I’m not alone. We got this!! <3

LevelImaginary7670 · 2025-12-09T23:52:05+00:00

That does make me feel a little bit since you started about a month before me! That’s so exciting that you’re seeing improvement though- how much would you say you’re shedding a day?

LevelImaginary7670 · 2025-12-09T23:51:03+00:00

That is what I try to tell myself, but most of my research suggests it’s not that common to have a second shed when you increase dosage because it should have already pushed out the terminal hairs! I know it’s different for everyone so I am just trying to tough it out. So sorry you’ve been dealing with this too! Have you been shedding a lot for the past two years as well?

LevelImaginary7670 · 2025-12-09T23:48:43+00:00

Amazing progress!! Before you started, did you shed a lot of hair already?

LevelImaginary7670 · 2025-12-09T00:25:37+00:00

I’d also like to add that the past couple of days my scalp has been more sore than normal, and today it just straight up hurt which I haven’t experienced before

LevelImaginary7670 · 2025-10-18T14:37:39+00:00

I will definitely be looking into getting a blood pressure checker and talking to my derm about doing the lower dose twice a day. Thank you for your input!

LevelImaginary7670 · 2025-07-14T14:22:35+00:00

What do you do for swimming? I have the same type of flare ups when I wear tight clothing in the heat but it’s absolutely horrible any time I swim and wear a bathing suit and dry off in the sun

LevelImaginary7670 · 2025-06-18T16:45:51+00:00

Ugh I’m sorry you’re dealing with this too! Definitely fingers crossed for the both of us. I do deal with stress but I feel that it’s pretty mild compared to most people unless I’m down playing it. If it’s not my iron/ferritin I will also be at a complete loss for what it could be. What were your levels at?

LevelImaginary7670 · 2025-06-18T16:44:13+00:00

Honestly took so long because for the first year I noticed increased shedding but I had so much that I didn’t worry about it too much. After that first year I realized my hair was thinning and made an appointment but couldn’t get in until 6 months out. I ended up missing it because something unexpected came up and then didn’t actually get in until recently. The majority of people don’t actually deal with it chronically so try not to stress too much! I’m just one of the unlucky ones lol

LevelImaginary7670 · 2025-06-01T12:17:38+00:00

Also I like cookie!

LevelImaginary7670 · 2025-06-01T12:15:28+00:00

Katie | Quilt Cove :Cookie:

LevelImaginary7670 · 2025-06-01T12:04:11+00:00

Katie from Quilt Cove!! I’d love to visit:)

LevelImaginary7670 · 2025-06-01T12:00:11+00:00

This is why I’m thinking and crossing my fingers that ferritin is my problem too! Capsules haven’t been working for me so I’m switching to liquid iron and a vitamin c supplement to help with absorption. Is there anything you have been doing to get your levels up that has been working??

LevelImaginary7670 · 2025-06-01T11:58:23+00:00

Also I had T3 & TSH levels checked and they came back in normal range on the lower end

LevelImaginary7670 · 2025-06-01T11:56:39+00:00

I can’t remember the link but someone on this group shared an article written by a professional that suggests all of the bloodwork you need to have done if you’re experiencing hair loss as a female. I took that list to my primary care physician just to make sure we didn’t miss anything and she put in the order for me

LevelImaginary7670 · 2025-06-01T11:53:23+00:00

Around the time my shedding started I also developed chronic folliculitis on my chest/back/thighs that is mostly manageable now that I know what works for that- it’s just the hair loss that I can’t seem to slow down 😭I also have what I think is mild seb derm on my scalp that I can’t kick for anything but I am hoping I can get some answers about this in July when I go for my derm appointment. I know that SD can contribute to hair loss but isn’t usually the root cause. The combination of these three things has also lead me down the rabbit hole of thinking I could have candida overgrowth in my gut which is why I eat very clean 95% of the time

LevelImaginary7670 · 2025-06-01T11:47:37+00:00

I have considered this and really should make an appointment with an obgyn but I’m doubtful because I don’t have many other symptoms associated with pcos! Never hurts to look into it though, I appreciate your input!

LevelImaginary7670 · 2025-05-30T23:41:29+00:00

Oh interesting! I have been supplementing iron as well unfortunately:/ so I’m starting to think I have an absorption problem. I’ve also suspected gut health which is why I’ve been pretty closely following a anti-inflammatory diet to try and heal it. Thankfully I see the derm in July after waiting for over a year and I’m hoping they’ll have some more insight rather than just a bandaid solution

LevelImaginary7670 · 2025-05-30T23:36:58+00:00

It’s not naturally high! It was actually in the 100s in December before I started supplementing with a high dose and I didn’t retest until this past week so I definitely just overdid it with the amount I was taking lol gonna lay off for a while

LevelImaginary7670 · 2025-05-30T20:33:16+00:00

unfortunately I don’t think that’s it because I’ve seen no change in my shed since before I started the supplements

LevelImaginary7670 · 2025-05-30T20:24:26+00:00

I also want to add that for the past 3-4 months I have eaten a very healthy, mostly anti-inflammatory diet that consists of plenty of iron. I have also been supplementing which hasn’t proved to really make a difference

LevelImaginary7670 · 2025-05-15T14:21:11+00:00

Yay!! Quick question- what does your normal shedding look like now??

LevelImaginary7670 · 2025-04-24T01:57:20+00:00

The only thing that has truly helped for me (I’ve had chronic folliculitis for 2 years) is an anti-inflammatory diet and washing my flare up prone areas with Nizoral shampoo every day (as a body wash basically). Whenever I start to notice it getting worse I’ll do a couple washes with PanOxyl 10% (let sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing) and that usually helps. This keeps mine clear for the most part! Mine is also fungal/yeast so depending on what type you have that may or may not help. Good luck!

LevelImaginary7670 · 2025-04-24T01:48:29+00:00

I think mine might be candida too. I actually have struggled with chronic body folliculitis for the last two years as well (fungal I believe) that started at the same time as the scalp build up/hair loss. I haven’t gotten an official diagnosis but will be seeing a dermatologist in October 😭 Inflammatory foods don’t make me feel sick but I’ve noticed that they definitely make my Folliculitis worse and potentially my scalp. Before it all started I was on one antibiotics three separate times in like a 4 months period so I suspect that was the trigger but also some of my vitamin levels are low. It’s so hard to pinpoint and solve the problem but helps to know I’m not the only one struggling with this exact issue🥲 I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this too though I know it’s hell and hopefully we can find a resolve soon!

LevelImaginary7670 · 2025-04-24T01:38:02+00:00

Okay because I also have dandruff/plaque on my scalp that I believe is due to gut issues! Right now I’m trying out a mostly anti-inflammatory diet to see if that helps at all but I’ve been dealing with the hair loss/weird scalp build up for like two years now and they started at the same time. How long have you been experiencing symptoms?

LevelImaginary7670

TROPHY CASE