Expert: Melanie Vonzabuesnig - 10/16/2009

Question
Dear Melanie,
I have been experiencing severe hair loss for a year now and have been tested numerous times and everything came back normal except for my ferritin which is at 14...I have been taken ferrous sulfate for six months and still no improvement. All my hairs are telogen hairs because each hair that falls out has a white bulb at the tip...I dont take birth control or have not given birth...this was sudden and it wont stop. My hair has always been really thin now it just looks lifeless...over the past year Im sure that I have lost 50% of my hair...it is truly devastating and I am desperate to stop this...do you have any advice? Also, can this be an extreme case of chronic telogen effluvium...Im going to a derm that specializes in hair loss next week is there anything that you suggest for me to mention...thank you for taking your time to read my question, I hope to hear from you soon.

Answer
Hello Kathy: Your hair loss does sound like severe telogen effluvium. Many women with chronic telogen effluvium have low ferritin levels but there are also many women with low ferritin levels who do not have hair loss. Increasing ferritin levels is a gradual process requiring consistency and dedication. I prefer using spirulina and chlorella for iron as they are natural sources (not synthetic) making them easy to digest and absorb. Plus, they also include many other valuable nutrients for healthy hair growth and overall health. Obtaining normal ferritin levels may improve your hair condition. You mention that your hair loss was sudden. It may help to think back to the months previous to the shedding. Any type of change or disturbance during that time period could have triggered your shedding. Whenever the body feels an imbalance, change, disturbance or deficiency the hair loss cycle can be disrupted causing more hairs than usual to retreat to the telogen (resting) stage where they will then be shed 2-3 months later. If the body does not quickly adjust or corrections are not made the condition can become severe or chronic. Some common triggers include medications, vaccinations, surgery, trauma, change in diet/weight, extreme stress, medical procedure (including major dental work) etc. You can read about how I used essential oils for my own chronic telogen effluvium at the link provided below. Please let me know how your appointment goes. Let me know if I can help you further.
Sincerely, Melanie Vonzabuesnig
My Hair Loss Story
http://www.vzbotanicals.com/mystory.html
Understanding Female Hair Loss
http://www.vzbotanicals.com/overcomefemalehairloss.html