Hair Loss, looking for advice on cover-ups

My sister wears a hairband- my daughter who lost her hair as a teenager wears a wig.

keepingquiet

My sister wears a hairband- my daughter who lost her hair as a teenager wears a wig.

Just a normal hairband?

My cousin wears a little topper and I never knew until she told me recently. It is a perfect match for her own hair.

A lot of women wear them - Lorraine Kelly, Ranvir can’t remember her other name, Carol Malone.

alita

keepingquiet

My sister wears a hairband- my daughter who lost her hair as a teenager wears a wig.

Just a normal hairband?

Well yes, just a normal hairband you buy anywhere- but she has many very decorative ones to match her outfits.

My daughter experienced really bad hair thinning , it got worse after each child ( she has 3) then a tumor in her thyroid. Successful surgery , doctors send she didn't need medication. I paid for hair extensions a few years ago, the only problem is , they only really fit them at the side of your head and the back . So the top still looked thin. They were very high maintenance and cost a fortune. She now has her hair in a bob and uses Hair Burst Shampoo and Conditioner from Holland and Barratt, she said it helps a bit . There are some very natural wigs on the market now , might be worth a try

Several threads on GN re hair loss. Sorry I can't do links.

.

I have been taking Levyothyroxine to treat an undetactive thyroid for a couple of decades. 150mg per day.

My recent annual blood test said that I didn't need such a high dose and my Doctor decreased my daily dosage to 125mg.

Within three weeks my hair was falling out (as had happened those decades before).

At my regular hair appointment my hairdresser refused to do even the slightest backcomb or use spray.

I took the hair that had gathered on her comb when she combed through my damp hair (conditioned so an easy comb, no knots or anything) to my Doctor. My hair is shoulder length and very fine. I just have it blow dried straight. No rollers.

I told the Doctor that irrespective of the blood results I wanted to go back to my original dosage and wasn't prepared to continue with the lower dose.

She agreed. Three weeks later the hair loss has already lessened slightly.

I suggest you insist on your meds returning to as was.
.

My crown thinned due to blood pressure meds. I used to use concealer spray then as it got worse I contacted alopecia UK and got a local salon who fitted me with a real hair topper. Then we relocated. When my husband suddenly died the shock made made more fall out. So contacted alopecia UK again and found a local specialist. I have had an integration fitted which I love. It is expensive though and requires monthly refits

I am in a very similar position, Shabtil00. Is it easy to contact the Alopecia Society? I feel beyond ashamed and anxious about my hair loss.

I can understand you feeling anxious Hammo but not ashamed. It's not your fault. I have lost all my hair. I felt horrible, anxious, terrified but not ashamed.

I lost 50% of my hair when I was left in dire straits by my ex-husband. I had hair extensions done (the ones with the little metal loop at the top). Maintenance was expensive so I bought a wig, which was gorgeous but too hot to wear in Australia! I felt the hair loss was de-feminising, which is mad, but that’s how I felt.
My hair grew in, after several years. It’s great now - thick, healthy and silver. I still fancy getting a little hair piece for different looks.
I think hair toppers are fab! So flattering! They weren’t around when I needed one. I wouldn’t poo-poo the idea… they look great!

Probably no help to anyone, but in my 20s (now 74) I worked for several years with a young man of similar age (others had worked with him for longer). One New Year after the Christmas Hols a stranger was sitting in his desk. The chap was completely bald. It was our colleague who had decided after ten years of wearing a topper to "go bare" - and he looked fantastic! Of course, a female would have been a different matter - but it goes to show how the person is more important than their appearance.

I am fortunate to still have plenty of hair, though it doesn't style easily at all and I hate the dull colour that it now is - but I can rectify that of course.

I also have a friend who went completely grey after having german measles in her teens. She had previously been a glorious redhead. She refused point blank to colour it and now in her mid 70s she looks marvellous.

I hope you find a good solution that suits your budget.

If you have male pattern baldness then surely testosterone will only make it worse. Also, if you still have your womb I believe you would need to take progesterone, as well as oestrogen, and synthetic versions can be metabolised into testosterone.

Thyroid problems too don't help. Have you had your T3 tested? TSH alone isn't a good indicator of thyroid status and many people are poor converters of T4 into T3 (the active hormone). There is a very good thyroid forum on Health Unlocked which I would thoroughly recommend. Hair loss is discussed on there too.

I have seen on the Internet (maybe TicTok or Instagram reels which pop up on my Facebook page) bands with false hair which are used at the front of the head and blended in. In the reels they look very effective.

Good luck, and if you find a solution please post on here - I could do with some help myself

India Knight has great advice on this on her Substack. She had quite severe hair loss with Mounjaro

Yes thyroid uk have saved the day for me with poorly treated hypothyroid. When I say TSH low do you mean under 2 as that is ok
However, the other lady saying about your T3 is very important to as it's the T3 that brings you wellness and sadly the doctor don't ever test it well not near me anyway
Selenium helps conversion of this and the four main vitamins that have to be good in range or vitamin D, Folate, B12 and four ferritin to be halfway in range

Ps

I noticed the HRT, which I started late, affected my thyroid med and I needed to decrease, hormones it's all connected I'm sure

My hairdresser recommended( not for myself) something that you just sprinkle onto your balding areas. It’s tiny fibres and completely disguises the thinning parts. I saw him use it and it was brilliant! Just google hair thinning powder.

I can’t do links either, but here’s a screenshot

If you are hypothyroidism you really need optimise vitamins D3 with K2, vits B12, folate. Hypothyroidism means jour slow metabolism doesn’t drive the micronutrients or the hormone T3 into all the cells. Your TSH level is good but doc needs to test T3 - he won’t but it’s worth asking.

Barbadosbelle

.

I have been taking Levyothyroxine to treat an undetactive thyroid for a couple of decades. 150mg per day.

My recent annual blood test said that I didn't need such a high dose and my Doctor decreased my daily dosage to 125mg.

Within three weeks my hair was falling out (as had happened those decades before).

At my regular hair appointment my hairdresser refused to do even the slightest backcomb or use spray.

I took the hair that had gathered on her comb when she combed through my damp hair (conditioned so an easy comb, no knots or anything) to my Doctor. My hair is shoulder length and very fine. I just have it blow dried straight. No rollers.

I told the Doctor that irrespective of the blood results I wanted to go back to my original dosage and wasn't prepared to continue with the lower dose.

She agreed. Three weeks later the hair loss has already lessened slightly.

I suggest you insist on your meds returning to as was.
.

I think you're absolutely right Barbadosbelle, I need my levythyoxine putting back to where it was before I really know where I am with my hair situation. I will raise this when I see my GP on Monday.

Cannot offer any help with coverups. You say you use Regaine and that containts minoxidil. I have frontal alopecia and dermatologist prescribed topical minoxidil but scalp became sensitive which is quite common. I was tge prescribed minoxidil in tablet form and have been on this for nearly 3 years and it seems to be effective. Hasn't restores hair but has controlled loss. No idea how this drug would fit with your other medications. Do hope you have a good outcome with GP visit.

Ialways had fine hair but sta5ted developing bald spots in my 30s I have underactive thyroid 11 years ago I saw a dermatologist who prescribed a topper Ive never looked back Noone has ever guessed I wear one

My hair became very thin on top and I was worried about what to do for my son's wedding. I didn't want to wear a hat as it was height of summer so I'd have been too hot. I knew it would make me sweat then I wouldn't be able to take it off as the thinning showed up more with wet hair! Someone suggested a fascinator but that would only hide one side. In the end I opted for a wide fabric covered headband. I sewed on small fabric flowers which I made to match the fabric flower brooch I had made to wear on my dress.
This was 8 years ago. Since then my hair has thickened up a bit, though it is still fairly thin on top. I take biotin supplements and vit B12 which were recommended, and I use Plantur 39 shampoo. I wish I'd tried these remedies earlier before the thinning was as serious. I don't know which is responsible for the improvement or whether all are responsible, but I won't be abandoning any of them anytime soon.

I’m sorry to hear of your hair loss. I have frontal fibrosing alopecia and I’ve lost a band of hair from ear to ear which will never grow back as it’s classed as scarring alopecia. I use wide stretchy hairbands which are very comfortable and even made my own fringe using hair extensions which I attach to the hair band. I take hydroxychloroquine which is slowing the process down. Good luck with which ever road you decide to take.