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Hairloss while in remission.

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/10/2016 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hey guys! I'm 20yrs old, I've had UC for 8yrs now.

about 8 months ago I noticed that I've lost all the hair on my legs, my arms, one of my eyebrows and half of my facial hair.
My doctor says that it has nothing to do with UC or my medication. The reason to why he says so is because he has never had another patient who has experienced this.

So tomorrow I will see a doctor who is specialized in skin and hair. Is there anything I should point out to her? Any special tests I should ask for?

I've been in remission for a few years now. Had some minor flares, no biggie.

I've checked out my testosteron (26nmol/l) and my T3 & T4 which was also fine.

Currently on 4800mg Asacol, 150mg Azathiophrine, and remicade every 8th week.

Post Edited (Astraand) : 4/10/2016 1:43:33 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/10/2016 9:05 PM (GMT 0)
Inflammation can cause a trigger of hair loss.
Also, nutritional deficiencies can
What is your protien intake?
Get vitamin d labs and iron workups.
Posted 4/10/2016 9:10 PM (GMT 0)

Dikid said...
Inflammation can cause a trigger of hair loss.
Also, nutritional deficiencies can
What is your protien intake?
Get vitamin d labs and iron workups.

I eat 1.3-2gr/kg of proteins. I am also taking Zink, Magnesium and vitamin B6. I think we can rule out inflammation because if I'd have an infection, wouldnt my blood levels be different? All my values are as they've always been.

Gonna try this Biotin supplement tomorrow :)
Posted 4/10/2016 9:14 PM (GMT 0)
Nope inflammation is not always indicated in blood work. Elevated esr or crp can indicate inflammation. But hair loss triggered by major trauma, inflammation, infections takes about 3 months to kick in. So current inflamation would indicate hair would likely fall out in a few months.
If you had inflammation a few months ago....

Biotin probably won't help but it shouldn't hurt. You may get real nice nails from it😄

Why so much protein? Are you working out excessively?
Posted 4/10/2016 9:26 PM (GMT 0)

Dikid said...
Nope inflammation is not always indicated in blood work. Elevated esr or crp can indicate inflammation. But hair loss triggered by major trauma, inflammation, infections takes about 3 months to kick in. So current inflamation would indicate hair would likely fall out in a few months.
If you had inflammation a few months ago....

Biotin probably won't help but it shouldn't hurt. You may get real nice nails from it😄

Why so much protein? Are you working out excessively?

Yes I workout at the gym 6-7 days a week, and ride the bike for about 20-30km's everyday.

Hmm speaking of trauma. In January last year a heat pump (200-300kg) fell and landed on my leg. And on that exact place there is still hair growing. But the rest of the legs are completely silkysmooth.

I dont know if i started losing hair after or before the accident.
Posted 4/10/2016 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
Some dermatologists specialize in hair loss it can take a bit of time to get in bu well worth it (speaking from experiencing lots of hair loss)

Edit: I just realized that you mentioned that it's silly smooth hair loss.
This might be something autoimmune and getting some bloodwork for that (I forget what some of them are called)
Posted 4/11/2016 7:39 AM (GMT 0)

Dikid said...
Some dermatologists specialize in hair loss it can take a bit of time to get in bu well worth it (speaking from experiencing lots of hair loss)

Edit: I just realized that you mentioned that it's silly smooth hair loss.
This might be something autoimmune and getting some bloodwork for that (I forget what some of them are called)

that was my thoughts aswell, since UC is an autoimmune disease and so is hairloss (sometimes).

But i checked my antibodies and they were fine. Gonna see this skin/hair doctor in an hour. Will update later.
Posted 4/11/2016 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
Just about every uc medication out there has thinning hair or hair loss listed as potential side effects. We've had a number of people post about hair loss along with their uc (thining, hair coming out in clumps, etc.). The mesalamines, in your case asacol, seem to be the most common medication cited for it. So, medication involvement is certainly possible. It's a rare side effect but it happens.

If you're anemic (have low iron levels within your blood) then that may also be causing your hair loss. You should be getting regular bloid work for your Imuran and your iron levels should be listed on the CBC blood test. Low vitamin D can also be a cause. I'd check into those things, as well.
Posted 4/11/2016 5:06 PM (GMT 0)

iPoop said...
Just about every uc medication out there has thinning hair or hair loss listed as potential side effects. We've had a number of people post about hair loss along with their uc (thining, hair coming out in clumps, etc.). The mesalamines, in your case asacol, seem to be the most common medication cited for it. So, medication involvement is certainly possible. It's a rare side effect but it happens.

If you're anemic (have low iron levels within your blood) then that may also be causing your hair loss. You should be getting regular bloid work for your Imuran and your iron levels should be listed on the CBC blood test. Low vitamin D can also be a cause. I'd check into those things, as well.

Will call my doctor tomorrow about that, thank you! But mesalamines are essential for keeping me in remission right? Or can i Swap them for something else?
Posted 4/11/2016 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
If you're on remicade and azathioprine then you likely do not need mesalamines any more, anyways. There's a huge difference between remicade and mesalamine in strength, it's like comparing a fire hose to a squirt gun. There's no guarantees that mesalamine is the exact cause, I just see a lot of posts here off and on based on people who're only on mesalamine though, so it's worth considering.

Certainty, anemia is another clear sign as are the vit d levels. These two are easy enough to test with some lab work. Good luck!
Posted 4/11/2016 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
The UC Meds do not cause hair loss.
The reason why it's listed is because if someone reports a side effect of a med it's listed

Ppl think it's a side effect because they experience hair loss related to flaring.
Inflammation, trauma,infections, and many things trigger telogen effluvium hair loss
Look into it.
Posted 4/11/2016 11:14 PM (GMT 0)
My two cents, my 24 year old daughter lost all of her hair while on UC meds, prednisone, Asacol, antibiotics. I have experienced some hair loss with prednisone, but not as bad as my daughter. She has beautiful re hair and it literally all fell out, she had to shave the rest. It was devastating to her. So, I would say, yes, UC Meds definitely cause hair loss. There is Rogaine for men and women now and many other hair growth products on the market. Biotin, 10,000 mg/ day has helped my daughter slowly grow her hair back to just to the bottom of her neck in 3-4 months. I take Biotin every day to help prevent hair loss. Diet is also key. Eat good, fresh, natural foods and this will help. It does for me anyway. Good Luck!!
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