30 replies to this topic

[Cassandra Coleman]

My hair is 100% natural, no color or chemical treatments, I use the blow dryer 2-3 times per month. In the last 3 months my hair is breaking off in large amounts as well as just falling out, my grey hair has doubled and if frizzy like I have years of chmicl damage. I have began to see dandruff on and off along with my scalp feeling tight and one times tingling.

I am 32 eat fairly vegetarian, normal weight overall healthy. Blood work normal.

I am at a loss, Dr. Suggested Nizoral which has made my hair worse.

Is there another direction we should be looking? A deficiency the Dr. Does not normally check for that I need to request?

[Luminosity]

Something is definitely wrong. I would get another doctor, a really good one who will figure this out. I'm not a doctor but I'm wondering if this could be heavy metal poisoning? I would get checked for that including exotic metals, including arsenic This sounds like stuff you see on TV. They may not be M.D.'s but a Toxicologist or Industrial Hygienist may be of service.

Edited by Luminosity, 24 April 2013 - 05:06 AM.

[Cassandra Coleman]

Silver filings?

[cudBwrong]

I agree with Luminosity, something is wrong, see a medical specialist. It looks like the Univ. of Washington medical center is one of the top hospitals in your general area. There are many possible causes of this condition; often it is completely reversible.

If you get involved with a good hospital, they may help you consult a number of different specialists, and that could be important here. For example, it could be an immune system issue, in which case an Immunologist may help. Dr Reynold Karr is qualified in that specialty at this hospital. On the other hand, it could be an endocrine system issue. There are many endocrinologists as well as specialists in toxicology and dermatology at that hospital.

The important thing is to try to tap into a network of specialists who can help you track this down. Work with your doctors, armed with as much information as you can gather. Good luck and best wishes.

[1kgcoffee]

Copper and/or iron deficiency caused by vegetarian diet. (most likely)

Vegetarian diet is not healthy.

[cudBwrong]

Copper and/or iron deficiency caused by vegetarian diet. (most likely)

Vegetarian diet is not healthy.

This is a possibility. A lack of essential nutrients can cause this condition, but other causes also are possible.

[maxwatt]

I doubt it's the mostly vegetarian diet. Few vegetarians have such a problem.

Another possibility is hypothyroid, usually Hashimoto's syndrome, where the immune system attacks the thyroid resulting in lower levels of thyroid hormone. Hair loss and brittleness is one of the symptoms. This usually does not show up on a blood test, and even if it does is not recognized by most physicians. (Mine doesn't even do a thyroid panel unless I press him.) T3 and T4 levels can be normal, but TSH is usually elevated in Hashimoto's. Endocrinologists consider a TSH over 3 to require treatment, but most doctors will not treat unless the TSH level is over 5. Check you labs, and see what your thyroid numbers are. A more definite test they do not routinely run unless you insist, is for thyroid anti-bodies... and they usually only run the TgAB and not anti-TPO. You need both; one can be high and not the other. And sometimes these are below the level a lab considers normal, but you will have thyroid levels.

Other symptoms of Hashimoto's: fatigue, lack of energy. Thinning of eyebrow hair at the side. Sensitivity to cold, or heat, even when it is unwarranted by the temperature. There may be periods of hyperactivity as well as low activity and apparent depression - this sometimes leads to a misdiagnosis of bi-polar disorder. Swelling or puffiness around the eyes. Swollen thyroid, sore neck, increase in neck size. Not all of these occur in every case.

More information and support here: http://www.stoptheth...com/hashimotos/

If this is your problem -- it may not be -- you will need to find a sympathetic physician willing to treat, or look for an endocrinologist. First step is to get complete thyroid lab work.

[Tom_]

It is not Hashimoto's. Its about a 1 in a 1000 chance presentation. Primary Hypothyroidism on the other hand is a perfectly reasonable possibility.

Heavy metal poisoning is insanely rare in a first world country.

What is it with people online and suspecting rare deathly dangerous diseases.

[Luminosity]

I agree with MaxWatt's post about getting the right doctor. I was also thinking about looking at the University of Washington Medical School.

It is not likely to be silver fillings or a vegetarian diet.

The most likely reason for something like this is using too much bleach or ammonia on your hair in a hair care product, followed by heavy metal poisoning. This is just from my experience being alive for half a century--I am not a medical professional. I know you said you use natural products on your hair but really, you should get all the products you've used on your hair since before this happened and list them and their ingredients here, all the ingredients. I would also like to know the country of origin. Then I would box those products up in case they are needed for testing later, and not use those products, in case there is something in there that shouldn't be in there. I would buy entirely different products. Everyday Shea shampoo is good (no sulfites). So is Dessert Essence conditioner. These are health food store products and they both come unscented which would be the better choice right now if available. You need to eliminate the possibility that your products are the problem.

I would also like to know everything you've done to your hair since just before this started, what is your grooming routine, etc. I would also like to know everything you've put on your head or into your hair since just before this started. Did any of this change around the time this began?

Have you done any home renovations lately? Any materials from China?

Edited by Luminosity, 26 April 2013 - 05:27 AM.

[Cassandra Coleman]

I have not colored or chemically treated my hair in 8 years, and have been using the following products or similar for the last 3. EXCEPTION - Nizoral suggested by the Dr. for a few weeks.



Hair Products,

I use acura shampoo and conditioner, I switch up the types but here is the one I use the most.

Acura shampoo lemongrass
Organic Euterpe oleracea (Acai) Berry, Organic Rubus fruticosus (Blackberry), Organic Rosa canina (Rosehips), Organic Punica granatum (Pomegranate), Organic Fair Trade Certified™ Rooibos, Organic Aloe Barbadensis Vera Leaf Juice, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate (from Coconut), 100% Naturally-derived Betaine (from Sugar Beets), Vegetable Glycerin, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate (from Coconut + Amino Acids), Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate (from Coconut + Amino Acids), Cocoglucosides Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride (Sugar Conditioner), Sodium Levulinate (from Corn), Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride (Guar gum conditioner), Potassium Sorbate (food grade preservative), Organic Argania Spinosa (Argan) Oil, Organic Fair-Trade Certified™ Olea Europea (Olive) Oil, D-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate (vitamin E), Ubiquinone (CoQ10), Argania spinosa (Argan) Stem Cells, Organic Persea americana (Avocado) oil, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus (Lemongrass), Lavendula Dentata (French Lavender), Evernia Prunastri (Oakmoss), & Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Essential Oils

Acura conditioner Lemongrass

Organic Euterpe oleracea (Acai) Berry, Organic Rubus fruticosus (Blackberry), Organic Rosa canina (Rosehips), Organic Punica granatum (Pomegranate), Organic Fair Trade Certified™ Rooibos, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Stearylkonium Chloride, Vegetable Glycerin, Glucono Delta Lactone (fermented sugar), Organic Argania Spinosa (Argan) Oil, Cetearyl Glucoside (from corn and glucose), Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride (guar gum conditioner), Glyceryl Stearate (vegetable-derived), L-Arginine (amino acid), Organic Fair Trade Certified™ Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Sorbitan Olivate (from olives + sugar), Panthenol (Pro-vitamin B5), Cellulose (plant derived), D-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate (vitamin. E), Lactic Acid (vegetable derived), Ubiquinone (CoQ10), Argania spinosa (Argan) Stem Cell Culture, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus (Lemongrass), Lavendula Dentata (French Lavender), Evernia Prunastri (Oakmoss), & Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Essential Oils



Now Foods organic coconut oil.
Cold pressed coconut oil

Acura Organic Argan Oil
100% Organic Argania spinosa (argan) oil

Someone suggested to me that is might be vitamin B deficiency or a reaction to something I am eating and suggested giving up the following for 21 days

Gluten
Dairy
Soy
Peanuts
Egg
Sugar
Corn

Anyone heard of this?? Thoughts. I can not imagine food could cause this, I would think I would have far more physical symptoms....right?

Edited by Cassandra Coleman, 27 April 2013 - 12:00 AM.

[cudBwrong]

The information on the products you use could be helpful for your physicians. I agree with the other contributors who suggested that the thyroid is an important area to look at. A skilled and sympathetic endocrinologist, possibly one of the many at Univ. of Washington, should be able to evaluate this.

[Luminosity]

Thanks for the info. That sounds very organic. I would still put those products in a box and use something else for a while just in case they somehow became contaminated. The products I suggested are nice ones. They are pretty organic.

I ran a support group for people with allergies and chemical sensitivities for ten years and I've never heard of a food sensitivity doing this. It still most resembles chemical damage from a hair product. I've heard of thinning hair and eyebrows from thyroid conditions but I'm not sure they sound like this; still, I'm not a doctor and a doctor should make that determination. You could look up your local support group for thyroid conditions and ask which doctors they like. If you don't have one, look for a group for chemical sensitivities or chronic fatigue as many of them have thyroid conditions. I would also follow up the possibility of heavy metal poisoning with a good specialist. This is something you want to get medical help with soon.

Edited by Luminosity, 29 April 2013 - 03:11 AM.

[Cassandra Coleman]

Update, Thyroid tested fine. Blood work is still fine. Took a few samples of hair, saliva, etc. awaiting those results. Dr. suggesting it is a yeast overgrowth but not sure yet. I have heard of yeast infections in women, but I dont have that, it is on my head and possible systemic. Has anyone heard of this?

[Luminosity]

I've heard of yeast infections but never taking this form.

[JBForrester]

You need enough protein for healthy, thick hair. If your protein intake is low, then your hair is going to brittle and thin. Also vitamin deficiency, especially Bs will cause hair problems.

http://www.ncbi.nlm....v/pubmed/623045

Also, check out Viviscal and it's reviews (over 500) on Amazon. Also the viviscal site has some good information on how hair growth/loss works. Go to the bottom of the page and click on "Hair Growth".

[scottknl]

Likely it's a nutritional deficiency. Do you get enough zinc in your diet? You can go to china town and get the herb he shou wu on King St, in Seattle. Buy a one pound box and boil 15 g of the dry root with a few cupfuls of water. After 20 - 30 minutes. Save the tea in another container. Add same amount of water to the root and boil up another batch for 20 - 30 minutes. When you're done, discard the used root and mix the two batches of tea. Drink and watch your hair grow back to it's normal color. Repeat this daily until the whole box is gone.

Prevent this from happening in the future with careful control of your diet.

[JBForrester]

Likely it's a nutritional deficiency. Do you get enough zinc in your diet? You can go to china town and get the herb he shou wu on King St, in Seattle. Buy a one pound box and boil 15 g of the dry root with a few cupfuls of water. After 20 - 30 minutes. Save the tea in another container. Add same amount of water to the root and boil up another batch for 20 - 30 minutes. When you're done, discard the used root and mix the two batches of tea. Drink and watch your hair grow back to it's normal color. Repeat this daily until the whole box is gone.

Prevent this from happening in the future with careful control of your diet.

Do you have any studies to back the claim on He Shou Wu? From what I've read, it can cause liver damage as well as negatively interact with a variety of medication and supplements.

http://www.webmd.com...dientName=FO-TI

[scottknl]

Likely it's a nutritional deficiency. Do you get enough zinc in your diet? You can go to china town and get the herb he shou wu on King St, in Seattle. Buy a one pound box and boil 15 g of the dry root with a few cupfuls of water. After 20 - 30 minutes. Save the tea in another container. Add same amount of water to the root and boil up another batch for 20 - 30 minutes. When you're done, discard the used root and mix the two batches of tea. Drink and watch your hair grow back to it's normal color. Repeat this daily until the whole box is gone.

Prevent this from happening in the future with careful control of your diet.

Do you have any studies to back the claim on He Shou Wu? From what I've read, it can cause liver damage as well as negatively interact with a variety of medication and supplements.

http://www.webmd.com...dientName=FO-TI

Nope. Studies haven't been done. A toxicity study on rats exists in pubmed, but only suggests that the raw root is worse than the processed root. You will only find processed root in the stores I've been to in Seattle. Otherwise I can only provide my own anecdotal tale that it works for me for the last 5 yrs and that my liver tests are completely normal. Many of the reviews on amazon for fo-ti (another name for he shou wu) suggest it works well for many people.

Most Chinese herbs haven't been 'tested' according to western medicine standards. I consider them as GRAS (Generally regarded as safe when taken as directed). I've read suggestions in the reports about bad fo-ti batches that liver damage only occurs in contaminated batches of prepared root.

Like anything else, including the other suggested treatments, let your own experience be your guide.

[Luminosity]

He Shou Wu isn't right for everyone, but taken properly by the right person it is harmless. It has been used for thousands of years by millions of people. With Chinese herbs it is best to find a good Chinese herbalist to prescribe the right ones for you. I am not saying the OP should take this or other Chinese herbs for her problem.

[Cassandra Coleman]

I used to work in the international district in Seattle, I will give just about anything at this point.

[Luminosity]

On that note, did you try changing hair products like I suggested?

[Luminosity]

..

Edited by Luminosity, 20 May 2013 - 02:56 AM.

[Cassandra Coleman]

Yes, I have changes hair products, not sure yet if they are helping as it is still too soon. Did start using Grapefrutiseed extract to start killing off the yeast.

[maxwatt]

It is not Hashimoto's. Its about a 1 in a 1000 chance presentation. Primary Hypothyroidism on the other hand is a perfectly reasonable possibility.

Heavy metal poisoning is insanely rare in a first world country.

What is it with people online and suspecting rare deathly dangerous diseases.

Hasimoto's is the most common cause of primary hypothyroidism.; there are others. .Secondary hypothyroidism is less common and is due to a pituitary problem. Tertiary is caused by the thy hypothalmus. The latter two are considerably rarer.

[Luminosity]

Grapefruit seed extract is harmless and does seem to kill micro-organisms, if they are the problem. Glad you changed products. Hope the new ones are good ones. Which are they?

Yes, a certain problem can be rare, Tom_ but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Rare problems are missed because they are rare. Hope she doesn't have that problem. Until we know what the problem is, not sure why someone is scoffing at reasonable possibilities. Unclear on the logic there although it seems to be a familiar posture for that poster. How old are you?

[Cassandra Coleman]

I changes to Dessert Essence tea tree shampoo & conditioner. I am told Grapefruit seed extraxt will kill yeast, is this not true?

[Logic]

Amla oil is very good for hair and has been used for ages. Google it.

EV Coconut Oil kills yeast and many other pathogens and has been used on hair for ages too.

http://coconutresear...search-link.htm
http://coconutoil.com/peer_reviewed/

[Luminosity]

I thought I implied that grapefruit seed extract would kill yeast. I believe that it should. Just never seen yeast do this and not sure how it could. Tea tree oil could help kill microorganisms, if they are the problem, but can be an irritant/allergen. Your scalp tingling could have been an irritation caused by something applied topically and I would not like to see that made worse. I would have liked to see what the products I recommended did, as they have no common irritants. It was probably hard to find unscented shampoo and conditioner. You seem to really like botanicals, but they can be a problem depending on the person and what they are. The camu camu berries in your old shampoo I've never seen used topically before and maybe they were just too acidic and caused this problem. Just a theory, but it's hard to eliminate that possibility unless you can get something really inert. Hopefully you can try the exact products I suggested, perhaps by mail order. If this is a topical irritation eliminating aromatic botanicals/essential oils would help.

Was the doctor who thinks this is yeast an MD?

[Cassandra Coleman]

Thank you, yes my Dr, is an MD. I will get the products you recommended and give them a try. Thank you again

[wannabeageless]

Did you doctor prescribe any medications to take to kill/eliminate the systemic yeast infection?