I am beginning to think that some diabetics do encounter hair loss when they have had very poor control for a long time. I have seen this same question asked several times on other diabetes sites. The problem seems to occur when there is very poor control so I suspect that after good control is established then the hair loss problem will be solved. Many diabetes complications improve or are completely resolved by gaining good control.
Hair Loss?
Not sure if it's been asked here before or not, but has anyone else experienced hair loss associated with Diabetes?
I've done a lot of research, and most studies seem to imply that hair loss is NOT associated with Diabetes. But I've also found a few studies that say it may be.
I started losing my hair about 7 years ago. It really REALLY thinned out, losing about half it's thickness in a span of the year. The loss slowed somewhat, but it's still very thin. No regrowth. Also, the texture changed, and it won't grow. It used to be halfway down my back, and now it's just above my shoulders, all from breakage.
I have asked my doctors, who seem not to care. They sent me to a dermatologist, who did blood tests and said "you're normal" and assumed I was just on some vanity trip. Since then, I've pushed a few more times for tests, and have pretty much had them all done (vitamin D, B, hormones, iron, PCOS, thyroid, etc etc etc) and no one can tell me anything besides "well, that's unusual". I started taking supplements (omega oils and some others) about a year ago specifically to support hair growth, with very marginal results.
Anyone have any input? Or experience this problem? (I'm 33 y.o. female Dx at age 21)
I've done a lot of research, and most studies seem to imply that hair loss is NOT associated with Diabetes. But I've also found a few studies that say it may be.
I started losing my hair about 7 years ago. It really REALLY thinned out, losing about half it's thickness in a span of the year. The loss slowed somewhat, but it's still very thin. No regrowth. Also, the texture changed, and it won't grow. It used to be halfway down my back, and now it's just above my shoulders, all from breakage.
I have asked my doctors, who seem not to care. They sent me to a dermatologist, who did blood tests and said "you're normal" and assumed I was just on some vanity trip. Since then, I've pushed a few more times for tests, and have pretty much had them all done (vitamin D, B, hormones, iron, PCOS, thyroid, etc etc etc) and no one can tell me anything besides "well, that's unusual". I started taking supplements (omega oils and some others) about a year ago specifically to support hair growth, with very marginal results.
Anyone have any input? Or experience this problem? (I'm 33 y.o. female Dx at age 21)
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What about just the general correlation with age? Two things hitting at the same time?
I personally am of the camp that it is ALL related.
I personally am of the camp that it is ALL related.
I'm not sure that it's an age thing, just based on when and how it started. I was only about 25 when it started falling out in DROVES (large clumps all over my carpet from brushing and drying it). I shed at least a third of the thickness in a span of about a half a year. It continued to fall out after that for a few more years at a steady rate (intermittently growing back with short hairs, which would then too fall out, along with some of the longer hairs). The growth rate has slowed down to the point where it barely grows at all, and it's just breaking off and getting shorter and shorter.
Very frustrating!
Very frustrating!
Have you talked to an endo about it?
Yup. Two endos, a dermatologist, GP, nurse.... I've had a whack of test done, and they say "you're normal".
My answer is that clearly something is NOT normal... but no one has much else to say.
I'm just working really hard on tightening up my control even more and keeping my fingers crossed.
My answer is that clearly something is NOT normal... but no one has much else to say.
I'm just working really hard on tightening up my control even more and keeping my fingers crossed.
i have just encountered this, i have long hair, but over the last 3/4 months it has started to fall out in droves, and i must admit i am very upset about it, but i dont know wat i can do about it, like you none of the perfessionals seem know how to answer,
Hair loss is more commonly associated with thyroid issues which often acompany diabetes but not caused by diabetes itself.
Welcome to Diabetes Forum, Bethney!
Lots of things can cause it . . . hormones, meds, recent illness or childbirth . . . Do I understand you to say you've seen the doc about it, but none of them can figure it out?
Lots of things can cause it . . . hormones, meds, recent illness or childbirth . . . Do I understand you to say you've seen the doc about it, but none of them can figure it out?
Not sure if it's been asked here before or not, but has anyone else experienced hair loss associated with Diabetes?
I've done a lot of research, and most studies seem to imply that hair loss is NOT associated with Diabetes. But I've also found a few studies that say it may be.
I started losing my hair about 7 years ago. It really REALLY thinned out, losing about half it's thickness in a span of the year. The loss slowed somewhat, but it's still very thin. No regrowth. Also, the texture changed, and it won't grow. It used to be halfway down my back, and now it's just above my shoulders, all from breakage.
I have asked my doctors, who seem not to care. They sent me to a dermatologist, who did blood tests and said "you're normal" and assumed I was just on some vanity trip. Since then, I've pushed a few more times for tests, and have pretty much had them all done (vitamin D, B, hormones, iron, PCOS, thyroid, etc etc etc) and no one can tell me anything besides "well, that's unusual". I started taking supplements (omega oils and some others) about a year ago specifically to support hair growth, with very marginal results.
Anyone have any input? Or experience this problem? (I'm 33 y.o. female Dx at age 21)
I haven't and neither my mom...maybe there's something to do with other functions of your endocrine system so I suggest you go check it out as soon as possible.
"Yes, most certainly"
Hair loss is definitely related, but when you are not in good control of your sugar levels. I was diagnosed almost a year ago, and I am 21. My entire life I had a thick head of hair, very coarse and healthy; and then I noticed my pony tail had become the size of my pig tail. This was a big deal to me and one of the big signs that something wasn't right. I was diagnosed with an A1C of 16.3, which it's a miracle I was alive at that point. I asked my endocrinologist if my loss in hair was related to the diabetes and he said 100%. When the sugars are so high, your body isn't recieving the nutrients, they are being flushed out into your urine (which is why it smells funny, another big sign). But you are constantly eating because you are technically without meaning to, starving yourself (which is why many people experience sudden weight loss). And your hormones are out of wack, you aren't getting nutrients anywhere, none the less you hair, skin, and bones. The hair grows back, that was my first concern haha. When the sugar levels return to normal your hair should grow back to what it used to be in about 6 months. Which is right, mine grew back nice and thick about 6 months later, also cutting off all the dead and unhealthy hair (I called it my diabetes hair haha) helps a lot too.
Hope this helps!! But in short, yes hair loss is a direct reflection of uncontrolled diabetes.
Hair loss is definitely related, but when you are not in good control of your sugar levels. I was diagnosed almost a year ago, and I am 21. My entire life I had a thick head of hair, very coarse and healthy; and then I noticed my pony tail had become the size of my pig tail. This was a big deal to me and one of the big signs that something wasn't right. I was diagnosed with an A1C of 16.3, which it's a miracle I was alive at that point. I asked my endocrinologist if my loss in hair was related to the diabetes and he said 100%. When the sugars are so high, your body isn't recieving the nutrients, they are being flushed out into your urine (which is why it smells funny, another big sign). But you are constantly eating because you are technically without meaning to, starving yourself (which is why many people experience sudden weight loss). And your hormones are out of wack, you aren't getting nutrients anywhere, none the less you hair, skin, and bones. The hair grows back, that was my first concern haha. When the sugar levels return to normal your hair should grow back to what it used to be in about 6 months. Which is right, mine grew back nice and thick about 6 months later, also cutting off all the dead and unhealthy hair (I called it my diabetes hair haha) helps a lot too.
Hope this helps!! But in short, yes hair loss is a direct reflection of uncontrolled diabetes.
I have to agree with Taylor and say that I shared a similar experience. My hair was falling out in droves. I lost about 3/4 of its volume. I also experienced rapid weight loss. When I was dx'd my A1c was 15.3.
That was 6 months ago. My last A1c was 6.1. My hair seems to be growing back (about 3 inches so far). And the health of the new growth is so much better.
That was 6 months ago. My last A1c was 6.1. My hair seems to be growing back (about 3 inches so far). And the health of the new growth is so much better.
Now that is some good news! Welcome back, Sue!
I have to agree with Taylor and say that I shared a similar experience. My hair was falling out in droves. I lost about 3/4 of its volume. I also experienced rapid weight loss. When I was dx'd my A1c was 15.3.
That was 6 months ago. My last A1c was 6.1. My hair seems to be growing back (about 3 inches so far). And the health of the new growth is so much better.
Hi Shanny
Yes, I'm thrilled my hair seems to be coming back. At the very least the hair loss is back to a normal rate. It definitely seems all linked to BG levels.
Sue
Yes, I'm thrilled my hair seems to be coming back. At the very least the hair loss is back to a normal rate. It definitely seems all linked to BG levels.
Sue
I had a terrible summer with high bgs from inflammation due to a reaction to a statin. I also noticed my hair was coming out in clumps. Once I got off the drug, hair stopped falling out. My hairdresser says sometimes it takes 6 months to start regrowing again. It is getting thicker now.
I had my thyroid checked and it was fine. I was loosing my hair and my eyelashes. I went off the metformin 3 months ago. My hair grew back, the texture is back to normal and my curl came back. So as far as I am concerned it was absolutley a result of the meds.i have just encountered this, i have long hair, but over the last 3/4 months it has started to fall out in droves, and i must admit i am very upset about it, but i dont know wat i can do about it, like you none of the perfessionals seem know how to answer,
I have been able to keep my BS down with diet and exercise. I have my next A1C this month so we will see if I need to go back on the meds.
Joanne
I was diagnosed with this in spring of 2010. My levels were very low. 1st A1C was 6.1. My new doctor insisted on putting me on metformin and that is when I experience my hair loss. Been off the meds for 3 months hair grew back the curl came back. Using diet and exercise to try to keep it under control. I have my next A1C this month so we will see how I have done.Hair loss is definitely related, but when you are not in good control of your sugar levels. I was diagnosed almost a year ago, and I am 21. My entire life I had a thick head of hair, very coarse and healthy; and then I noticed my pony tail had become the size of my pig tail. This was a big deal to me and one of the big signs that something wasn't right. I was diagnosed with an A1C of 16.3, which it's a miracle I was alive at that point. I asked my endocrinologist if my loss in hair was related to the diabetes and he said 100%. When the sugars are so high, your body isn't recieving the nutrients, they are being flushed out into your urine (which is why it smells funny, another big sign). But you are constantly eating because you are technically without meaning to, starving yourself (which is why many people experience sudden weight loss). And your hormones are out of wack, you aren't getting nutrients anywhere, none the less you hair, skin, and bones. The hair grows back, that was my first concern haha. When the sugar levels return to normal your hair should grow back to what it used to be in about 6 months. Which is right, mine grew back nice and thick about 6 months later, also cutting off all the dead and unhealthy hair (I called it my diabetes hair haha) helps a lot too.
Hope this helps!! But in short, yes hair loss is a direct reflection of uncontrolled diabetes.
hair loss
I noticed bad hair loss when on Byetta, however that made me so ill am now on Victoza and the loss has stopped. When I asked at the hospital diabetic unit if Byetta had caused it, I was told they had never heard of it but I know that it did. Was so glad they changed me to Victoza.If it's poor keratin production then your nails will also change. They'll grow noticeably slower. Your fingernails, do you notice that they don't grow as fast as they used to?
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