Q. My hair loss is back after a trip to a tropical country. What can I do?
Answered by Dr. Shaikh Sadaf and medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team.
Hello doctor,
Three months after I had my second child, I suffered hair loss. It all grew back six to seven months postpartum. Then, I went on a trip about two and a half months ago to a tropical climate and when I got back I am getting the same type of hair loss again. I believe the name for it is called telogen effluvium. My hair is also very weak in general and some strands are similar to a straw consistency. Could the trip have triggered this or could this be a thyroid issue? I also got BPPV postpartum and even now suffer from chronic dizziness. MRI is normal. Ear tests are normal. The blood test is also normal.
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Dr. Shaikh Sadaf
MBBS., MRCGP INT., PGDIP ENDOCRINOLOGY AND DIABETES,LONDON UNIVERSITY
Diabetology, Endocrinology
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I just read your query and from what you have mentioned it appears that you have hair fall.
- Now, there could be many reasons.
- Postpartum: one-year post delivery of a child and a possible lactation might cause nutritional deficiencies in a woman and also the normalization of the pregnancy and lactation hormones back to the non-pregnant state.
- Thyroid dysfunction: for which I suggest a TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) test.
- Iron deficiency anemia: for which it would be best to do a complete blood count and serum ferritin levels.
- Vitamin D deficiency: for which I suggest doing a vitamin D test.
- Treatment -
- In the meantime, I would suggest that you take Zinc capsules 110 mg once daily for one month.
- Take a multivitamin supplement.
- Eat eggs if you are a non-vegetarian.
- Minoxidil 2 % hairspray can be applied carefully to the scalp only for three to six months wearing gloves.
- Oil your hair with coconut oil twice a week, leave it overnight and wash it off with a mild shampoo.
Try to do the tests and get back for review. Good luck.
For more information consult an endocrinologist online --> https://icliniq.com./ask-a-doctor-online/endocrinologist
Thank you doctor,
My TSH level is 2. B-12 is great. My iron and hemoglobin are within normal limits also. Since my hair grew in after I originally experienced hair loss, could the hair loss now be a result of the vacation I took and being in hot, humid weather?
Dr. Shaikh Sadaf
MBBS., MRCGP INT., PGDIP ENDOCRINOLOGY AND DIABETES,LONDON UNIVERSITY
Diabetology, Endocrinology
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
- Yes, hair loss can definitely be due to a change in weather.
- I asked about vitamin D levels as well.
- It is good to know about your thyroid function test and iron levels as well.
- I suggest you take a multivitamin including biotin and other essential vitamins.
Good luck.
For more information consult an endocrinologist online --> https://icliniq.com./ask-a-doctor-online/endocrinologist
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