Alopecia and diabetes

[AndyS]

Hi everyone

Just over 2 weeks ago I noticed a couple of small bald patches on the back of my head about the size of a 50p coin.

I now look like a dalmatian! - In 2 weeks I now have about 20 bald patches.

I saw my Doctor last week and he said its alopecia which is more than likely caused by stress (2 family bereavements in 4 months) He also said that it can be caused by diabetes too.

Have any of you guys suffered from or heard of this?

Regards

Andy

 

[Northerner]

Hi Andy, sorry to hear this I haven't personally suffered this, but I know we have other members who have reported it in the past. When I saw the title I was going to say the same thing as your doctor, given the stressful time you have had lately. There have also been reports from time to time where people have reported thinning/losing hair due to diabetes, so it sounds like you have fallen victim to both I hope that it's a brief problem for you, and that it starts growing back soon, sorry I can only offer encouragement rather than any practical help!

 

[Caroline]

I am told male pattern baldness is a form of alopecia and is hererditary. It can also be triggered by stress.

I'm sorry to hear of your losses. You did the right thing in getting advice.

Sorry, I can't offer any advice or words of wisdom either, but someone is sure to be a ong soon who might be able to help.

 

[novorapidboi26]

I haven't heard of any link to diabetes but I do have some friends who suffer from it.......

It seems to be related with stress or at least it comes and goes with no obvious pattern, but the good thing is it does go and hair grows back, I suppose learning your own bodies behavior may shed some light on when its likely to occur and therefore steps may be taken to avoid it.......🙂

 

[AndyS]

Hi Alan, Caroline and Novorapidboi

Many thanks for your replies. I had a search through the forums and found a couple of threads about the same subject.

Being a guy I suppose it isn't really as difficult as it is for a lady, I had my hair shaved on Saturday, a tennis ball haircut 😱)

Thanks again

All the best

Andy

 

[novorapidboi26]

Hi Alan, Caroline and Novorapidboi

Many thanks for your replies. I had a search through the forums and found a couple of threads about the same subject.

Being a guy I suppose it isn't really as difficult as it is for a lady, I had my hair shaved on Saturday, a tennis ball haircut 😱)

Thanks again

All the best

Andy

Number 0 for me tonight............

 

[Northerner]

From googling it would appear that alopecia is thought to possibly be autoimmune - what is it with our stupid immune systems? 🙄 The 'stress' reason also appears to cause as much indignation amongst the alopecia community as the micing up of diabetes types does for us:

http://www.alopeciaonline.org.uk/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11391

Having said that, I was also told that stress may have been the trigger for my Type 1 originally.

 

[AndyS]

Number 0 for me tonight............

That's what I had, luckily over the years I have been having my hair cut shorter and shorter 🙂

 

[Caroline]

Hi Alan, Caroline and Novorapidboi

Many thanks for your replies. I had a search through the forums and found a couple of threads about the same subject.

Being a guy I suppose it isn't really as difficult as it is for a lady, I had my hair shaved on Saturday, a tennis ball haircut 😱)

Thanks again

All the best

Andy

Sometimes I wish I could get away with a tenis ball hair cut, long hair is often a pain in the opposite end to the head and all I do to my shoulder length hair is wash it brush it and keep it trimmed!

 

[AndyS]

Sometimes I wish I could get away with a tenis ball hair cut, long hair is often a pain in the opposite end to the head and all I do to my shoulder length hair is wash it brush it and keep it trimmed!

Hi Caroline

I used to have my hair quite long when I was in my 20's, I'm 42 this year and was going a bit thin on top.

Your signature has just made me smile, "I'm diabetic, not daft" - really made me chuckle 🙂

 

[Caroline]

I was going to put something else for my signature, but this is a family forum and it was rather rude...

being a rather big girl, very short hair would make me look too much like a boy, and as a friend found out to her cost attract too much trouble...

 

[AndyS]

I was going to put something else for my signature, but this is a family forum and it was rather rude...

being a rather big girl, very short hair would make me look too much like a boy, and as a friend found out to her cost attract too much trouble...

Hi Caroline

It's a sad world we live in isn't it? - Just because someone looks or sounds different they are labeled.

When I came out a few years ago I got sick of hearing "ah but you don't sound gay" - that drove me mad..

Take care

Andy

 

[Caroline]

I don't mind looking like a boy and I like both, I just don't want the hassel. One of the things tha made me sad a while ago was when a collegaues hair dropped out because she had had chemo therapy and people made fun of her wearing a hat or scarf indoors because of it. She told me one day when we were chatting because I was one of the few that had accpeted she had no hair and that people often wear hats or scarves because it is fashionable. The lady retired and has been back to see friends and although she still has no hair (I think it suits her), she looks better than she did while she was working.

 

[Bolddog]

OP,
Of course this could be just happening because its happening or indeed caused by stress.
There are lots of other possible reasons.
When I started having clumps of hair fall out I just shrugged and said thats the way it goes.
There is no history of Alopecia in either of my parents families.
About 15 years later I discover that I'm coeliac and most likly have been since pre teen.
Guess what?.........there is an established strong association between Alopecia and coeliac disease 😱 ( due to prolonged vitamin B12 depletion - one of the side effects of untreated CD )
Hindsight is great

 

[newbs]

Hi Andy,

Have no experience of alopecia but just wanted to send you my best and hope you are ok - I went through the same thing 2 yrs ago, my Dad and Grandad passed away within 4 months of each other. Take care.

 

[AndyS]

Hi Andy,

Have no experience of alopecia but just wanted to send you my best and hope you are ok - I went through the same thing 2 yrs ago, my Dad and Grandad passed away within 4 months of each other. Take care.

Hi Newbs

I'm really sorry to hear that. My circumstances are very similar. My Mum and cousin died within 3 months of each other.

Take care

Andy x

 

[AndyS]

OP,
Of course this could be just happening because its happening or indeed caused by stress.
There are lots of other possible reasons.
When I started having clums of hair fall out I just shrugged and said thats the way it goes.
There is no history of Alopecia in either of my parents families.
About 15 years later I discover that I'm coeliac and most likly have been since pre teen.
Guess what?.........there is an established strong association between Alopecia and coeliac disease 😱 ( due to prolonged vitamin B12 depletion - one of the side effects of untreated CD )
Hindsight is great

Hi Bolddog

I will mention it to my Doctor next week. I have the B12 injection every 3 months (it was picked up 3 years ago that I am anemic.

Regards

Andy

 

[Bolddog]

..... (it was picked up 3 years ago that I am anemic......

Has the reason for your anemia been established ?

If not, then I'd suggest trying to get your GP interested in the topic rather than just let them shoot you up with B12 every few months.

Good Luck

Bolddog

 

[AndyS]

Hi all

Just a quick update.

Most of the alopecia has gone now. It lasted about 3 months.

You can still see a few bald spots but it's nowhere near as bad as it was. (the picture below is what it was like a few weeks ago)

Regards

Andy

 

[lizabetic]

I was like a golden retrevoir after diagnosis... my hair fell out everywhere! Fortunately I had so much anyway it didn't leave me with bald patches but it was pretty bad.

sorry to hear this!