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Imuran and hair loss?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 12/13/2015 11:07 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on Imuran for the last 4 months, 100 mg daily. I noticed more hair in my hairbrush for about the last 6 weeks. My ponytail feels much thinner too. Is this Imuran or typical post-menopause symptoms? I can't get in to see my GI for another month but I am getting my blood tested this week.

Any ideas?

Thanks!
Posted 12/14/2015 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
This is very common that about 3 or so months after inflammation hair starts to fall out. My GI said that it happens to basically all of his patients. Many people assume it's the medications because they notice the hair falling out after those new medicines.

Look into telogen effluvium (spelling?) hair loss related to colitis.
Posted 12/14/2015 12:53 AM (GMT 0)
My hair started falling out a bit 2 months ago. If I ran my hands through my hair I would always have a bunch of hairs fall into my hands and I was noticing it building up in the drain in the shower. It only lasted for about 6 weeks though and I haven't been losing any the last two weeks or so.

I thought maybe it was remicade doing it. I think it's just UC itself doing it.
Posted 12/14/2015 3:13 AM (GMT 0)
Pretty much all UC drugs can cause hair loss. Folic acid can help. In my experience, hormones play a huge role. Birth control pills helped big time for me, so maybe hormone replacement would help someone post-menopausal?
Posted 12/14/2015 2:15 PM (GMT 0)
I have noticed that my hair loss has slowed down once I got the anemia in control. Anemia can cause hair loss too....which is caused by the darn UC inflammation. It is a vicious cycle chicken vs. the egg cycle. Unfortunately, you may never know if the medication is to blame. I actually suspect both play their part.

If you are on Imuran, you should be taking folic acid at the same time too. They are prescribed together. (At least they were for me.)
Posted 12/15/2015 2:41 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you to everyone who responded! I never know if what I'm going through is part of UC or something else. I didn't know about needing folic acid - I'll get some.

Thank you all!
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