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persevere7
persevere7 posted:
I have been DX with Celiac for over 2 yrs. and am 63 yrs. old. My immune system is very low due to chronic Neutropenia (low white blood cells), prior breast cancer 12 years ago--still in remission!), chronic pain since the mastectomy, osteopenia, 2 herniated disks and sciatica. Now my hair is falling out in great amounts for some unknown reason. I had a full chemical panel work up done including Thyroid and it is fine. I have been to my doctor twice and she really doesn't say much about what to do. She knows all my ailments and probably thinks I am just an old lady who is not aging gracefully so to speak. So could Celiac be involved in hair loss? I wll have to get a wig soon. Thanks.
7 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:persevere7I have been DX with Celiac for over 2 yrs. and am 63 yrs. old. My immune system is very low due to chronic Neutropenia (low white blood cells), prior breast cancer 12 years ago--still in remission!), chronic pain since the mastectomy, osteopenia, 2 herniated disks and sciatica. Now my hair is falling out in great amounts for some unknown reason. I had a full chemical panel work up done including Thyroid and it is fine. I have been to my doctor twice and she really doesn't say much about what to do. She knows all my ailments and probably thinks I am just an old lady who is not aging gracefully so to speak. So could Celiac be involved in hair loss? I wll have to get a wig soon. Thanks.
CalGal37 responded:
It's very possible that the celiac could be the basis of both the hair loss and problems with your bones. Celiac isn't, unfortunately, a 'mild' problem and can cause very serious side-effects especially long-term. However, even saying that should be tempered with a caution to follow-up on the hair loss since it could be due other issues as well.
Report This| Share this:persevere7It's very possible that the celiac could be the basis of both the hair loss and problems with your bones. Celiac isn't, unfortunately, a 'mild' problem and can cause very serious side-effects especially long-term. However, even saying that should be tempered with a caution to follow-up on the hair loss since it could be due other issues as well.
persevere7 replied to CalGal37's response:
Thank you for the reply. I did two things, tapered off slowly on the antidepressant per my docs instructions just in case in was causing my hair loss, and went to the health food store and spoke to the manager who recommended Code brand Vitamin E with a few other vitamins. It seems to be helping a little bit. I am giving it a month. My blood test on my thyroid came back normal. My 78 year old mother in law has three times the amount of hair I have at 63!
Report This| Share this:persevere7Thank you for the reply. I did two things, tapered off slowly on the antidepressant per my docs instructions just in case in was causing my hair loss, and went to the health food store and spoke to the manager who recommended Code brand Vitamin E with a few other vitamins. It seems to be helping a little bit. I am giving it a month. My blood test on my thyroid came back normal. My 78 year old mother in law has three times the amount of hair I have at 63!
persevere7 replied to persevere7's response:
Update on hair loss...still losing hair after stopping the antidepressant. Maybe it is still hanging around in my blood stream. Also had to stop taking the Code E because of back surgery, but have started it again. Got a very pretty wig to wear to my daughters wedding on July 22 just in case. I have had to wear wigs before due to cancer 13 years ago. I survived! Thanks to God.
Report This| Share this:persevere7Update on hair loss...still losing hair after stopping the antidepressant. Maybe it is still hanging around in my blood stream. Also had to stop taking the Code E because of back surgery, but have started it again. Got a very pretty wig to wear to my daughters wedding on July 22 just in case. I have had to wear wigs before due to cancer 13 years ago. I survived! Thanks to God.
grandmotherx4 responded:
Glad your still in remission! I'm 66 & after over 20 yrs of problems & 2 primary drs (both females) who dismissed my constant & worsening symptoms, saw a GI dr. in Jan who promptly knew & confirmed Celiac w/the appropriate tests. After 3 wks GF diet helped but cannot stray from it or I'll pay dearly. I have had hair loss although not to the extent you have. Also have other food sensitivities. Perhaps a GI dr can help w/the symptoms & maybe their correlation w/your past med. history. Hang in there ~ I'm w/ya' 
Report This| Share this:persevere7Glad your still in remission! I'm 66 & after over 20 yrs of problems & 2 primary drs (both females) who dismissed my constant & worsening symptoms, saw a GI dr. in Jan who promptly knew & confirmed Celiac w/the appropriate tests. After 3 wks GF diet helped but cannot stray from it or I'll pay dearly. I have had hair loss although not to the extent you have. Also have other food sensitivities. Perhaps a GI dr can help w/the symptoms & maybe their correlation w/your past med. history. Hang in there ~ I'm w/ya' <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0">
persevere7 replied to grandmotherx4's response:
Thank you for you encouragement and info! I can't eat a crumb of gluten without getting severe d. Hopefully, I don't get any more food sensitivities. I do eat GF Oats from Bob's Red Mill and have no problems. When I go to another GI doctor I will relate to him my hair loss and bone problems. Hang in there is my motto!
Report This| Share this:persevere7Thank you for you encouragement and info! I can't eat a crumb of gluten without getting severe d. Hopefully, I don't get any more food sensitivities. I do eat GF Oats from Bob's Red Mill and have no problems. When I go to another GI doctor I will relate to him my hair loss and bone problems. Hang in there is my motto! <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0">
budie22 replied to persevere7's response:
This is interesting! I have had more hair loss since I was diagnosed with CD a year ago.
I am wondering if stress can cause a flair even though I am eating GF.
I am wondering if stress can cause a flair even though I am eating GF.
Report This| Share this:persevere7This is interesting! I have had more hair loss since I was diagnosed with CD a year ago. <br />I am wondering if stress can cause a flair even though I am eating GF.
persevere7 replied to budie22's response:
budie22: Yes, I believe stress can cause hair loss....probably only temporarily until you get control of your stress. My hair has begun to get a little bit thicker and hardly any falls out anymore. But I believe it had to do with the medication I was taking (antidepressant), more than anything else. I have a LOT of stress in my life and always have due to situations with many family members that cannot be resolved. Like "grandmotherx4" says in her posts: "If I cannot contribute to help the situation then I have to let it go". Try it. Hope we help you.Hugs
Report This| Share this:persevere7budie22: Yes, I believe stress can cause hair loss....probably only temporarily until you get control of your stress. My hair has begun to get a little bit thicker and hardly any falls out anymore. But I believe it had to do with the medication I was taking (antidepressant), more than anything else. I have a LOT of stress in my life and always have due to situations with many family members that cannot be resolved. Like "grandmotherx4" says in her posts: "If I cannot contribute to help the situation then I have to let it go". Try it. Hope we help you.Hugs <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0">
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