Hair Thinning/Hair Loss PCOS/Type 1 Diabetes

[Humy]

Hi,

So I suffer with PCOS from age of 18 and over the years I have been experiencing hair loss. I've tried everything from supplements to oils and it just seems to be getting worse. The hair thinning is mainly top of the head. Currently I wash my hair every other day cause its quite oily. I'm not sure whether the diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes and starting Insulin has made the hair loss worse? I'm only 25 and not even married yet so I'm worried. Any advice will be much appreciated

 

[Martin.A]

Hi,

So I suffer with PCOS from age of 18 and over the years I have been experiencing hair loss. I've tried everything from supplements to oils and it just seems to be getting worse. The hair thinning is mainly top of the head. Currently I wash my hair every other day cause its quite oily. I'm not sure whether the diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes and starting Insulin has made the hair loss worse? I'm only 25 and not even married yet so I'm worried. Any advice will be much appreciated

Diabetes can cause a range of health issues, including hair loss:-

Does diabetes cause hair loss?: Causes and treatment options

Diabetes can cause hair thinning or noticeable hair loss in some people. However, maintaining good blood sugar control may help reverse the effects of hair loss. Some medications are also available and may be beneficial. Learn more here.

www.medicalnewstoday.com

 

[PattiEvans]

Hair loss can be caused by Alopecia Areata which is another autoimmune disease like Type1. A specialist did advise me to use Regaine for men (even though I am female) and it did work for quite a while - until I sunburnt my head and became very sensitive.

 

[Vonny]

I feel your pain @Humera.Turak. I have thinning hair genetically, post-menopause and possibly through diabetes, but I'm nearly 65 so it doesn't feel as important as it probably does to you. I'd love a centre parting again but that is where the bald patch is so I have a side parting these days to cover it up!
I've just started using Champo, both as a shampoo and a serum which you massage into your scalp daily. It claims results within 12 weeks, but as I'm only 2 weeks into the regime I can't confirm that. I too wash my hair every other day due to my hair type.
I will post in 10 weeks if the Champ claims are true!!!

 

[Humy]

I feel your pain @Humera.Turak. I have thinning hair genetically, post-menopause and possibly through diabetes, but I'm nearly 65 so it doesn't feel as important as it probably does to you. I'd love a centre parting again but that is where the bald patch is so I have a side parting these days to cover it up!
I've just started using Champo, both as a shampoo and a serum which you massage into your scalp daily. It claims results within 12 weeks, but as I'm only 2 weeks into the regime I can't confirm that. I too wash my hair every other day due to my hair type.
I will post in 10 weeks if the Champ claims are true!!!

Thank you. It is hard at any age to have hair thinning. With youngsters, they always want to see the hair growth which sucks when they can't understand why it happens. Yes I have a side parting. I used to have a fringe from so so young. And kept the side parting. It helped alot until now when even now the side parting doesn't help.
Thank you. Appreciate it. There is so much out there that I have no idea what actually works and what does not

 

[Humy]

Hair loss can be caused by Alopecia Areata which is another autoimmune disease like Type1. A specialist did advise me to use Regaine for men (even though I am female) and it did work for quite a while - until I sunburnt my head and became very sensitive.

I'm so sorry to hear that. It's not easy with all these autoimmune diseases. The skin becomes so much more sensitive and I feel more prone to infections.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Have you had your thyroid function checked @Humera.Turak ?

Thyroid hormone imbalances (hypo or hyper) can cause hair loss I think, and hypothyroid can be another of those autoimmune conditions that group together.

 

[Satan’s little helper]

Hi,

So I suffer with PCOS from age of 18 and over the years I have been experiencing hair loss. I've tried everything from supplements to oils and it just seems to be getting worse. The hair thinning is mainly top of the head. Currently I wash my hair every other day cause it’s quite oily. I'm not sure whether the diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes and starting Insulin has made the hair loss worse? I'm only 25 and not even married yet so I'm worried. Any advice will be much appreciated

Are you on a calorie restricted diet? This may cause thinning hair.

 

[Leadinglights]

This looks like a useful link for information.

Everything You Need to Know About Hair Loss

Hair loss is when you lose hair from your head. Learn more about the possible causes of hair loss and what you can do to treat it.

www.healthline.com

It does suggest vitamin or mineral deficiency could be a cause.
It may also be that you are washing it too much and by stretching the time between washes will help with it not getting as oily. It may be hard to put up with it at first but that always used to be what was suggested when I was a teenager to only wash once a week as washing encouraged it to be more greasy and to use a 'dry' shampoo in between.

 

[Humy]

Have you had your thyroid function checked @Humera.Turak ?

Thyroid hormone imbalances (hypo or hyper) can cause hair loss I think, and hypothyroid can be another of those autoimmune conditions that group together.

Yes I have done a full blood count and no deficiencies/low or high thyroid, I've just been told to increase iron as I am iron deficient and I am a carrier of the beta-thelaseamia trait.

 

[Humy]

Are you on a calorie restricted diet? This may cause thinning hair.

No I am just measuring my carb intake as you would with type 1. But no to any diet, just eating normally.

 

[Humy]

This looks like a useful link for information.

Everything You Need to Know About Hair Loss

Hair loss is when you lose hair from your head. Learn more about the possible causes of hair loss and what you can do to treat it.

www.healthline.com

It does suggest vitamin or mineral deficiency could be a cause.
It may also be that you are washing it too much and by stretching the time between washes will help with it not getting as oily. It may be hard to put up with it at first but that always used to be what was suggested when I was a teenager to only wash once a week as washing encouraged it to be more greasy and to use a 'dry' shampoo in between.

I did try to prolong the washing but my scalp gets so itchy. And I don't use dry shampoos or straighten my hair. I just use waterman shampoo. No conditioner either. Any suggestions of good hair shampoos for hair growth/oiliness?

 

[Leadinglights]

I did try to prolong the washing but my scalp gets so itchy. And I don't use dry shampoos or straighten my hair. I just use waterman shampoo. No conditioner either. Any suggestions of good hair shampoos for hair growth/oiliness?

If you have also got an itchy scalp then I would ask at your pharmacy for a recommendation for a lotion to apply or a specialist shampoo. You may be reacting to something in normal shampoo.

 

[Humy]

If you have also got an itchy scalp then I would ask at your pharmacy for a recommendation for a lotion to apply or a specialist shampoo. You may be reacting to something in normal shampoo.

OK. Thank you for the advice.

 

[Sarahp]

I have PCos and am type 2 and there’s a known link between insulin resistance and PCOS, I have hair loss two, improved with weightloss surgery but came back as I hit perimenopause recently. I know PCOS can show up too for those that are underweight but don’t know what treatment is offered.
Definitely think updated bloods are needed to rule out other issues.

 

[Humy]

I have PCos and am type 2 and there’s a known link between insulin resistance and PCOS, I have hair loss two, improved with weightloss surgery but came back as I hit perimenopause recently. I know PCOS can show up too for those that are underweight but don’t know what treatment is offered.
Definitely think updated bloods are needed to rule out other issues.

Yes I've heard there's a link between the two. However I feel there isn't much out there for those with PCOS and Type 1 Diabetes. I'm just focusing on getting my blood sugar levels regulated and I did manage to get my PCOS symptoms down with losing weight, hirsutism and hair loss but since my diagnosis it's only gotten worse.

 

[Sarahp]

Yes I've heard there's a link between the two. However I feel there isn't much out there for those with PCOS and Type 1 Diabetes. I'm just focusing on getting my blood sugar levels regulated and I did manage to get my PCOS symptoms down with losing weight, hirsutism and hair loss but since my diagnosis it's only gotten worse.

Sorry you are going through the same, definitely get checked again re your bloods, when I lost weight it took two to two and a half years to see the benefit. Have you visited the verity pcos forums? They might have more info on latest hormone and homeopathy treatments too.

 

[Pam123]

Hi,

So I suffer with PCOS from age of 18 and over the years I have been experiencing hair loss. I've tried everything from supplements to oils and it just seems to be getting worse. The hair thinning is mainly top of the head. Currently I wash my hair every other day cause its quite oily. I'm not sure whether the diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes and starting Insulin has made the hair loss worse? I'm only 25 and not even married yet so I'm worried. Any advice will be much appreciated

I suffered from Hair loss years ago and the cause was an underachieve thyriod, and my hair grew back to normal after several months, however last year I was really poorly and after 3 weeks of not eating hardly anything I collapsed and ended up in hospital along with several infections, one was my Kidneys I was diagnosed with T2 Diabetes and put on insulin, about 3 weeks after coming out of hospital my hair started falling out it was so bad, Lost handfuls every day, i tried all sort of supplements and shampoos etc until I was recommended to try Redkin extreme Shampoo for damaged hair, I purchased the the whole range and now 4 months later its made a massive difference, in conclusion i think my problem was down to not eating, illness and the T2.

​

 

[Humy]

I suffered from Hair loss years ago and the cause was an underachieve thyriod, and my hair grew back to normal after several months, however last year I was really poorly and after 3 weeks of not eating hardly anything I collapsed and ended up in hospital along with several infections, one was my Kidneys I was diagnosed with T2 Diabetes and put on insulin, about 3 weeks after coming out of hospital my hair started falling out it was so bad, Lost handfuls every day, i tried all sort of supplements and shampoos etc until I was recommended to try Redkin extreme Shampoo for damaged hair, I purchased the the whole range and now 4 months later its made a massive difference, in conclusion i think my problem was down to not eating, illness and the T2.

​

Thank you for sharing. I am really sorry this happened to you. Doesn't get any easier with symptoms getting worse after so much effort of getting yourself on track. I'll have a look into this and see how I get on. Thanks.