Category: Drugs (Cause Hair Loss)

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Hair Loss InformationReverse Reaction from Propecia – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi doctor i have been using the propecia for the last 5 months and my hair got thinner and softer . I started to use the prpecia 1 year ago for two weeks and i had the same symptoms i quite using it and my hair got back to normal. This is really disturbing me that i have overall thinning which i was never worried about beacuse i was only try to keep the corner of my frontal hairline.I have type early 3. in my family there is not anyone that has ever loose hair on top of their head.They all have thick hair.

They all have 3A .Now i have been worrying about thinning hair which was never the case. Is there any way propecia might have a reverse reaction on some patience, beacuse the body might see the dht blocker as a virus and fight back to the madicine by producing more DHT. Is it possible that this could happen in some .Thanks doctor for your time.

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To my knowledge, this is not a known side effect of Propecia. If you are a Class 3A and that is your family pattern and you think that (a) this is going to be your final pattern, (b) you can live with it, (c) you believe that it is a side effect of the drug, then stop the Propecia. Whatever the benefits that are claimed by the drug company, the decision to take this drug is yours and only yours. I have met some men who for their own reasons, abandoned their recommended Propecia treatment. This becomes a personal choice and like everything in life, we make choices and deal with the consequences of those choices. Propecia is not for everyone.

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Hair Loss InformationPrednisone and Hair Loss in Women – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I have crohns disease and I went to the hospital and stayed for about 3 wks. I was given mega doses of prednisone intravenously. Shortly after I got out of the hospital, my hair started gradually falling out. (I am a 53 yr.old african american female) I eventually cut it all off. Will it ever grow back or is it doubtful?

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Hair loss is not a published side effect of prednisone except in men with male pattern balding. You need to have a full evaluation for the presence of other diseases. Assuming you are healthy and do not have the female version of genetic hair loss, you styand a good chance to grow back your hair in one to two years. If there is a disease process that is causing the hair loss (e.g. thyroid problems), then the cause must be addressed first. For example, women may get hair loss with pregnancy and these women almost always grow the hair back, usually in less than one year (can take up to two years) after the baby is born.

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Hair Loss InformationHair Loss from Steroid Use – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Your office is not that far from the famous Muscle Beach. Do you get many of the hardcore bodybuilders in for hair transplants? And taking all of those steroids…wouldn’t it be courter productive or should I say maybe a waste of time to get the hair transplant for those prone to baldness anyway or do they just take of more and different drugs of the estrogen blocking nature?
The reason I ask is that when I was in my younger days when I first really started loosing my hair( after two knee surgeries by the way???)I started weight lifting/bodybuilding to conpensate for my emotions concerning my hair loss, I had a rough time dealing with it. So I was tempted to take them (back when they were legal)but after reading about the hair loss side effects I changed my mind. Does the transplanted hair suffer from heavy steroid use or does it stay protected? Thank you

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I believe that the permanent zone hair (the hair we transplant) is protected from steroids. The other hair that is not the rim hair around the sides and back of the head can be ‘killed off’ with steroids in those genetically prone to balding.

Yes, we see many, many weight lifters who have accelerated their hair loss and like you, panic when they see it falling out. The high they get from the steroids and the benefits in the sport, seem to offset the liability for most of them.

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Hair Loss InformationZocor and Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I have noticed that my hair is thinning though it still grows as fast as before. I have been taking Karvezide medication for high blood pressure and Zocor for high cholesterol this has started since the Zocor was increased to 40mlg a day.

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Hair loss has been a reported side effect of Zocor. In many of the drugs on today’s market, it seems that hair loss is frequently cited as a possible side effect so I sometimes wonder if the language is not routinely put in to protect the drug companies.

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Hair Loss InformationHair Loss, Steroids and Genetics – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I thought since the steroids (cortisones) taken for colitis of the intestine is much different than anabolic steroids, that athletes take for strength it would not exacerbate or fasten MPB if someone is genetically predisposed to it. Doesn’t the 2 steroids vary significantly in terms of the ingredients that make up the steroid?

Also you referred to MPB gene, i thought there are multiple genes and just 1, can you correct this for me?

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All of the steroids are related in action, somewhat different in particular strengths and weaknesses, so they do vary. There is clearly overlap and there is no doubt that the steroids used for colitis will impact genetic hair loss. That is my point.

Yes, there are more than one gene that contribute to hair loss. Some estimates are above 100.

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Hair Loss InformationSteroids and Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello, i just found out my male cousin aged 26 has colitis of the intestine, thus the doctor wants to put him on steroids namely cortisone. He has some recession but no definitive signs of male baldness yet but he has a strong family history of baldness with his mothers father and father balding early, most of his uncles on his fathers side are bald except one who maintained his hair. So at age 26 my cousin feels pretty lucky to have escaped the MPB gene thus far, which leads to his obsessive compulsive disorder, he is now worried to start taking steroids because its known that if you have a genetic predisposition to MPB, then taking steroids can acerbate the hair losss, if you don’t have the dispensation then you still wont suffer.

Now when they talk about steroids they are usually steroids ( androgens that promotes more testosterone production- anabolic) such that of athletes mainly baseball players take to make them stronger. Also if you ever watch bodybuilders many of them are balding or bald at young ages, so i have doubt there is a correlation.

My question are the steroids they give to colitis sufferers or anything that’s associated for medicinal purposes differ rent than the steroids athletes to promote strength? OR do they consist of basically the same chemical composition, the only difference is the usage ( how frequently)

Should my cousin be concerned about losing his hair due to the steroid usage, will it exacerbate the MPB? I know the MPB is trivial to what he is suffering and shouldn’t be any concern even if he does loose his hair but understand he’s in his mid 20’s. I tend to think if he was in his mid 50’s when this occurred, he would have absolutely no reservations in taking the steroids even if that means the hair loss because at that point looks are not as important to many people.

Your response would be appreciated, thanks

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If your cousin has genetic male patterned baldness, but has not started to bald yet, the steroids will most likely accelerate the balding process. If he is not genetically ‘impacted’ (does not have the gene for balding) the steroids should have no balding effect.

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Hair Loss InformationMedications That Cause Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I was looking at the NHI site and thought it might be helpful to identify medication that has been significantly associate with hair loss. Eq lithium for bipolar illness.

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When you read the insert on most drug information packages, hair loss is mentioned in almost every one. I tried to do some internet searches, but alas, the number of drugs appear substantial. If you are looking up lithium, in particular, just go to Google. Hair loss is a known side effect of lithium.

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Hair Loss InformationMinerals Causing Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

You mentioned that some vitamins may cause hair loss. Could you elaborate on that?

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Essentially, overdosing anything that may be good taken in low quantities, can cause hair loss when taken in high quantities. In my brief review of the subject, the data is not clearly defined. There is a worthwhile site for answers to your question, written by Dr. Michael Biamonte, found here.

Summarizing what he said: We know that toxic levels of minerals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, iron, aluminum and copper commonly cause hair loss. Copper also prevents zinc from its effectivness at preventing hair loss.

Zinc, iron, B vitamins, essential fatty acids, amino acids and other nutrients are responsible for hair growth. If deficiencies occur, for whatever reason, hair loss is likely. Poor diet or malnutrition also can contribute to hair loss as the body will shut down hair growth to save nutrients for other ‘more important’ functions.

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Hair Loss InformationTwo Young Women with Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I receive many questions each day, and because these two are both from young women with hair loss questions, I am posting both questions in this one entry.

I am 21 year old girl. Till now i didnt hav any hair problems . But for the past 4 to > 5 months i am losing my hair like anything. My hairline is gettin broader andn is gettin thin these days.Neither of my parents hav balding problems nor anyone in our whole family.Wat should i do so that i can get my lost hair back? Is this possible to get all the lost hair ?? Which shampoo shd i use?

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I would first have a good doctor see you and look for medical causes of hair loss (there are many). The following problems are amongst those that should be considered: anemia, thyroid disease, connective tissue disease, various gynecological conditions and emotional stress. It is also important to review the use of medications that can cause hair loss, such as oral contraceptives, beta-blockers, Vitamin A, thyroid drugs, coumadin and prednisone. Many other medications can also contribute to hair loss so if you are taking any drugs of any type, then that should be looked into as well. The following laboratory tests may be useful if underlying problems are suspected: CBC, Chem Screen, ANA, T4, TSH, STS, Androstenedione, DHEA-Sulfate, Total and Free Testosterone.

It is possible that a medical condition may be the cause of your hair loss, so before you jump to conclusions that you have genetic hair loss, I would have you checked out for these conditions. The shampoo you choose will have no impact on the hair loss so I always tell people to use what they like, what feels good, what smells good and what makes your hair look good. Also, please read my previous blog entries on Female Hair Loss.

I am a 22-yr.-old female and am experiencing thinning hair all over my scalp, with several spots void of any hair. Possibly related elements of my history include irregular periods, dermatitis and eczema (both on-scalp and elsewhere), a family history of thyroid disease, an often-unbalanced diet due to graduate school lifestyle :-), recent emotional stress, and use of 0.1% Tacrolimus ointment (one potential side effect of which is alopecia). I know you cannot diagnose me sight unseen, but I have one question I hope you can answer:

If one’s hair loss is related to use of a medication, stress, or a dietary deficiency, is the hair loss usually only temporary if the behaviors causing it are stopped?

Thank you very much for your time.

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Sometimes the hair loss is temporary and sometimes not. The key is quick and accurate diagnosis and taking the proper action to go after the cause of the hair loss. The outline given to the first question above is appropriate for your medical work-up as well. If there is a genetic component, then the hair loss may be additive to the other contributing factors.

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Hair Loss InformationBioidentical Hormones in Women – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I started using bioidentical hormones in September of 2004. I started noticing hair loss and did some research and found that DHEA and Testosterone can result in hair loss. I removed these but my hair is still not growning back. I am currently taking progesterone and biest in cream form. I tried taking Selenium and thyrostin and that didn’t help either. I am at a loss of what to do, can you help me. I am devastated about this hair loss.

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Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy includes such compounds as progesterone, estrogen, estriol, estradiol, testosterone, dhea, etc. I would assume from your question that you are post-menopausal. If that is correct and you have the genetic form of female hair loss without any medical cause, then it is highly likely that the trigger for the process has been ‘pulled’. Like a bullet from a gun, once the trigger is pulled, you can not call the bullet back. You need a thorough examination with a doctor skilled in quantifying miniaturization and the distribution of miniaturized hairs. Also, you will have to be evaluated with your complaint clearly outlined and understood. With that information, there might be some hope in the transplant arena, limited by the supply quality and quantity, and the size of the areas of need. You also need a good endocrinologist or gynecologist to ascertain hormone balances. I fully appreciate the traumatic impact of hair loss on women, but there is much I do not know about your unique situation. There is no substitute for a good doctor / patient relationship as a starting point. Find a good doctor and establish a trusting relationship with him/her.