Question:
Biotin, Protein, or Iron
Which is going to help with Hair loss? I am 4 mths RNY post-op, and I am going bald. I have read all the postings, so I have increased my Biotin to 3000mcg, I am trying to get in all my protein,(65-75 grams per day) Taking ALL my vitamins and even an extra Iron supplement. Please tell me what else to do? Also, Can too much Biotin hurt you? I would appreciate your answers, God bless you. 1/31/06-250 down to 189-6/3/06 — crazym68 (posted on June 3, 2006)
June 3, 2006
4 months. Right on schedule. Most of us lose hair at 4 months, regardless
of how much protein/B vites/iron we get. I specifically had time to build
my levels for 4 months before my revision and kept high levels after and
STILL, 4 months. But the good news the hair often comes in better than you
had when it left. The fact that you are feeding the baby hairs so amply is
good! Hold on. It'll end and you'll find a whole new crop of babies at
your roots.
— vitalady
June 3, 2006
Your body is playing catch up right now. Keep doing what you are doing and
like the previous post stated it helps the new hair coming in. Your body
is losing hair due to the time without the protein that it needed. It will
return and get fuller around the seven month mark. A good haircut works
wonders. I myself went shorter due to the hair loss so that when it
started to grow out it wasn't as obvious for the loss. Nothing you can do
except what you are doing and the next thing you know you'll have a full
head of hair and a new figure to go with it. :)
— 1968 Loser
June 3, 2006
Take a look at this website - it's explains why you are going through it
now and answers a lot of questions.
http://www.emedicine.com/DERM/topic416.htm
— Rick Bedard
June 3, 2006
Marina, We have all lost hair, there is not much you can
do to stop the falling out. All the creams & lotions & Vits
wil not stop it. It just part of the WLS journey. The good
news it does come back. Better & usually fuller. It will
last for a couple of months. just wwhen you think it will
never grow back, you start seeing little small hairs working their way
back. The other questions you had, is
yes too much biotin can hurt you it is part of the B family
& too much has results just like lack of B vits can have.
So watch the intake amounts you are taking. Do you take B-12 as well. You
should be, if you are not. Hang
Tough, it gets better & congrats on your weight loss.
Marilyn, the Bearlady
— Marilyn C.
June 3, 2006
Here is a good understandable explanation from this website:
http://familydoctor.org/081.xml.
What causes excessive hair loss?
A number of things can cause excessive hair loss. For example, about 3 or 4
months after an illness or a major surgery, you may suddenly lose a large
amount of hair. This hair loss is related to the stress of the illness and
is temporary.
Hormonal problems may cause hair loss. If your thyroid gland is overactive
or underactive, your hair may fall out. This hair loss usually can be
helped by treatment of the thyroid disease. Hair loss may occur if male or
female hormones, known as androgens and estrogens, are out of balance.
Correcting the hormone imbalance may stop your hair loss.
Many women notice hair loss about 3 months after they've had a baby. This
loss is also related to hormones. During pregnancy, high levels of certain
hormones cause the body to keep hair that would normally fall out. When the
hormones return to pre-pregnancy levels, that hair falls out and the normal
cycle of growth and loss starts again.
Some medicines can cause hair loss. This type of hair loss improves when
you stop taking the medicine. Medicines that can cause hair loss include
blood thinners (also called anticoagulants), medicines used for gout,
medicines used in chemotherapy to treat cancer, vitamin A (if too much is
taken), birth control pills and antidepressants.
Certain infections can cause hair loss. Fungal infections of the scalp can
cause hair loss in children. The infection is easily treated with
antifungal medicines.
Finally, hair loss may occur as part of an underlying disease, such as
lupus or diabetes. Since hair loss may be an early sign of a disease, it is
important to find the cause so that it can be treated.
*******************
I'd add this explanation that I found on a website once that I lost. You
just had major surgery - factor 1. You are starving your body - factor 2.
Your hormones are changing with weight loss - factor 3. Triple whammy.
Not much that protein and vitamins can really help. You just had major
surgery and the body starves the least needed parts to direct it's energy
into healing. The least vital thing is the hair. On top of that you are
starving your body. Extra protein isn't likely to help when you are
experiencing weight loss. Your body perceives an emergency. Then the
hormones....they will always change after wls. So my best advice is to
wait it out and not sweat it. When your hair starts growing back you will
be surprised at how it looks normal again because even though you may only
have 1/2 inch of grow out, it will cover that scalp and you won't look so
bald. Good luck - and try not to stress. That too can cause hair loss!
LOL!
— Dinka Doo
June 3, 2006
I echo what others have said. I don't think you should probably take extra
iron unless directed by your pcp. too much Iron can cause poisoning.I don't
think anything will help. I have been losing hair for 2 yrs following
several operations, diabetes and stress in life. I have tried costly
treatments. I think I have thrown my money away. When it decides to come
back, it will without all the things we've tried. I have lost 75% of hair
on top of my head. I have kept it short and never noticed the hair loss
until my scalp started showing. I was told after wls that my diabetes would
go away and my hair would come back. So I've quit stressing. If it comes
back ok, if it doesn't, I'll wear wigs and hats.
— geneswife
June 4, 2006
This is what I take for my hair & etc....
Nioxin 3 step hair system
I drink at least 50 grams of protein a day
Eat protein first
Try NOT to snack
Smart food choices
B - 12 prescribed vit. from my Dr.
2 Flintstones Complete
2 Citracal +D one in the am and one in pm NOW 3x a day
1 Biotin 2500 from GNC
2 Silica 500 mg.
1 Zinc 100 mg.
SUGAR FREE, FAT FREE, OR NO SUGAR ADDED, LOW FAT
— Janine Greenwood
June 4, 2006
After I read the post about too much biotin, I did a search because I KNOW
this to be false. ALL excess B vitamins get eliminated in your urine. Hear
is the article I read from.
Biotin
Biotin is necessary for the formation of fatty acids and glucose, which are
used as fuels by the body. Biotin also helps to break down amino acids and
carbohydrates in the body.
Nutritionists categorize vitamins by the materials that a vitamin will
dissolve in. There are two categories: water-soluble and fat-soluble
vitamins. Water-soluble vitamins, which include the B-complex group and
vitamin C, travel through the bloodstream. Whatever water-soluble vitamins
are not used by the body are eliminated in urine, which means you need a
continuous supply of them in your food. Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin.
How Much Biotin Is Enough?
There is no recommended daily allowance for biotin because biotin
deficiencies are extremely rare. A normal daily biotin intake for teens and
adults is 30 to 100 micrograms a day. (But we are different, since we have
absorption issues, ask your dr for the amount. I take 10,000mcg a day.
Whatever my body doesnt use, goes out with the urine)
Sources of Biotin
* Liver
* Cauliflower
* Salmon
* Carrots
* Bananas
* Cereals
* Yeast
Can You Have Too Much or Too Little?
A lack of biotin in the body is rare, but certain skin conditions or
genetic deficiencies may cause biotin deficiencies in infants. Biotin
deficiency may cause skin rash, hair loss, high cholesterol levels and
heart problems.
Vitamin Storage
If you want to get the most vitamins possible from your food, refrigerate
fresh produce and keep milk and grains away from strong light. Vitamins are
easily destroyed and washed out during food preparation and storage. If you
take vitamin supplements, store them at room temperature in a dry place
that's free of moisture.
Hope this accurate information helps you. Also, when in doubt, ask your
surgeon or PCP.
— Courtney B.
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