hair loss...

[cragsdale]

okay, I lost about 35 pounds in a little under 2 months on Atkins. Yeah! This was about 3 months ago I think. And as expected, I'm losing some hair now. Problem is, I'm losing way to much! I have very thick hair anyway, so losing some never really bothered me. Now in the shower I have to clean the drain at least 2 times while in it, then again when I get out. Even some of my eyelashes are gone this time! My hair is to the point that I may start having "balding" patches. I don't mind a little but OMG! I can't do this anymore. Not to mention, my whole family is sick of finding my hair all over them! Is there any way to stop this? And even if there isn't, is there a way to prevent it since I'm sticking with atkins to lose the rest of it?

[Starmaker]

I too am suffering with handfuls of long hair coming out, I don't believe its low carb related as much as its diet related. If you are under a certain amount of calories a day you lose loads of hair I read, so what I'm doing now is adding in some low glycemic fruit like a handful of nuts and berries every second day or so, and making sure my greens equal my proteins plus take all my vitamins. I'm hoping it will be temporary, but I have to watch my calorie intake as it gets too low and I forget to eat, I know that in my case, the hair loss is likely from that issue. I have to force myself to eat most days. Take a look at your calories.

[cragsdale]

I've heard it has to do with the stress/body changes. Such as after a woman has a baby, her body will lose a lot of hair about 3-6 months after the birth. I'll be looking into my calories now, but is this possible too?

[Starmaker]

Absolutely stress will do it, pregnancy can, any diet I was on I lost hair, I seem to lose more on low carb but if I up my veggies it seems to help too, but your mileage may vary.

[Atkid]

I am totally losing too much hair as well. My hair used to be so thick hairdressers would kid about charging me double. My hair is getting so thin now I am stressing which I am sure doesn't help anything. The one thing I have noticed is that the hair falling out has no new growth (roots) which mean they have been in a resting stage for at least six weeks (since my last color job) and now are falling out.

I am glad I have the board to come to, to see I am not the only one suffering through this. This is the second time I have gone through it, the first was not nearly as severe as this time.

Someone suggested too much protein can cause hair loss. I don't find that I eat an overabundance of protein, but it is food for thought.

[leecy]

this is scary becuase i am having the same problem but thought it might be due to that i am on Diane35 contraceptive pill
i have long black thick hair and now its so thin..
my family complains about my hair all over the place
and u know what i heard once that being on a low carb diet does this
...you begin to just lose your hair

[Ensifer]

While this indeed worrisome take heart in the fact that many others have gone through the same ordeal, myself included, and it does indeed stop. My hair loss went on for a few months, if I recall, but has since stopped and the lost hair has grown back. The stress of weight loss can and does trigger this nasty little side effect, but it will pass in time. Chin up!

- Tom

[Atkid]

Originally Posted by Ensifer

While this indeed worrisome take heart in the fact that many others have gone through the same ordeal, myself included, and it does indeed stop. My hair loss went on for a few months, if I recall, but has since stopped and the lost hair has grown back. The stress of weight loss can and does trigger this nasty little side effect, but it will pass in time. Chin up!

- Tom

Thanks for the positive feedback!

[vJosie]

Are you also experiencing split nails and more-painful-than-normal menstruation? If so, check your library for Protein Power Lifeplan and read the chapter on ecosonoids. It boils down to having the right oils - some people react badly to the fat of red meat and certain oils like flax - I don't remember everything it said, but you can balance your system better by taking specific oils. i had all those symptons to the extent I almost stopped Atkins - I couldn't figure out how not eating bread could cause all that, but it didn't... it was the fact that I was eating way more red meat and egg yolks than I ever had in my life.

[Momtofour]

I went through a period of hair loss after the birth of each of my kids. It is definately stress related. You will find this happens when the body goes through any major stress. My FIL lost alot of hair after having a stroke. I lost alot of hair between months 3-6 while on Atkins. It hasn't been a problem since. Hair gets thinner as you age too. Bald spots would worry me though. Talk with your doctor if it gets any worse.