Advice Needed on Dermatologist’s Treatment Plan
About 6 months ago my hair was the longest and thickest it has been since I was in high school. I noticed it was started to thin out a bit, but attributed it to being 6 months postpartum (at that time). Long story short, the hair loss picked up and over the past 8 weeks I’ve been shedding a lot of hair, and my hair’s texture is unrecognizable/ends are “fluffy”. I am mad at myself for not recognizing that I had all symptoms of an iron deficiency.
I went to my Dermatologist and my bloodwork confirmed that I am iron deficient, my ferritin is 18, and my vitamin D is low (zinc is in normal range). Per his recommendation I have started supplements. For the past 3 weeks I have been taking a multivitamin, iron supplement with vitamin c, vitamin d supplement, zinc supplement, and beef liver supplement = daily intake of 325mg iron, 3000 IU Vitamin D, 52.6mg zinc.
Now for my questions that I’m looking for advice on:
I’ve been in TE, but the hair loss I’ve experienced in the shower this week has been a lot worse than it has been. Does it get worse before it gets better when you start supplements?
The Dermatologist also recommended that I start using topical minoxidil to help with the hair loss. I’ve never used it before, but I know that you shed a lot when you start, and if you stop using it you won’t maintain results. My question is, is the minoxidil really necessary? Or should I wait until my iron, ferritin, and vitamin c levels are where they should be and reassess?
About 6 months ago my hair was the longest and thickest it has been since I was in high school. I noticed it was started to thin out a bit, but attributed it to being 6 months postpartum (at that time). Long story short, the hair loss picked up and over the past 8 weeks I’ve been shedding a lot of hair, and my hair’s texture is unrecognizable/ends are “fluffy”. I am mad at myself for not recognizing that I had all symptoms of an iron deficiency.
I went to my Dermatologist and my bloodwork confirmed that I am iron deficient, my ferritin is 18, and my vitamin D is low (zinc is in normal range). Per his recommendation I have started supplements. For the past 3 weeks I have been taking a multivitamin, iron supplement with vitamin c, vitamin d supplement, zinc supplement, and beef liver supplement = daily intake of 325mg iron, 3000 IU Vitamin D, 52.6mg zinc.
Now for my questions that I’m looking for advice on:
I’ve been in TE, but the hair loss I’ve experienced in the shower this week has been a lot worse than it has been. Does it get worse before it gets better when you start supplements?
The Dermatologist also recommended that I start using topical minoxidil to help with the hair loss. I’ve never used it before, but I know that you shed a lot when you start, and if you stop using it you won’t maintain results. My question is, is the minoxidil really necessary? Or should I wait until my iron, ferritin, and vitamin c levels are where they should be and reassess?