About Cynthia Donlan Expertise I am comfortable answering questions about Systemic Lupus, diagnosis , lab results. Coping strategies.. I am not as comfortable answering questions about medications and interreactions.
Experience I am a woman who suffers with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus along with other autoimmune phenomenon. I am the Lower County Representwtive for the Lupus Foundation of PA, I am also the local support group facilitator.
Organizations Lupus Foundation OF PA
Publications I have been on several local talk shows discussing lupus. I have had a few articles published in Lupus Foundation of PA Newsletter. My story was published in the Platelet Foundation of America book on ITP a few years ago and I am always having articles in our local papers.
Education/Credentials I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Arts from College Misericordia and Masters of Science degree in Special Education from Bloomsburg University
Question Hi, my name is Bailey and I'm 16 years old. My doctors think I have lupus and I'm getting tested for it next week. My hair isn't falling out, and while I know that is just a "classic symptom", I was wondering if I was preventing it. I've been taking prenatal vitamins for a couple of months because my hair was really thin and I wanted it thicker. And now it is. Is that delaying and/or preventing hair loss? My other question was if the medicine given to lupus patients causes hair loss as well.
Thank you!
Answer Dear Bailey:
I am sorry to see that you have not been feeling good.
Hair loss is a symptom of Lupus but it is not seen all the time nor is it the only symptom seen in patients.
For a physician to detect lupus, a person must have 4 or more of the following symptoms at some time
during his/her illness:
1. Rash over the cheeks.
2. Discoid rash (red raised patches).
3. Photosensitivity this is when you go out in the sun and you get red and not sunburned or you develop hives or flu like feeling.
4. Ulcers in the nose or mouth (usually painless).
5. Arthritis and or Muscle Pain and inflammation
6. Pleuritis or pericarditis (inflammation of the lining of the heart or lung).
7. Kidney disorder Protein, Casts and or Blood in urine. You can tell if you have potentially protein in urine by looking at the bowl afterwards. Is it frothy and foamy like the head on a mug of root beer?
8. Neurologic disorder (seizures/convulsions and/or psychosis).> Mood swings, depression, panic attacks, paranoia, Forgetfulness, balance and gait issues.
9. Hematologic disorder. A Low White cells, Platelets and or Low Red Cells.
10. Antinuclear antibody (ANA).
11. Immunologic disorder (positive double stranded Anti-DNA test, positive Anti-Sm test, positive antiphospholipid antibody such as anticardiolipin, or false positive syphilis
test (VDRL).
Hair loss occurs in 50% of patients. Typically manifested as reversible hair thinning during periods of disease activity, it is demonstrated by the ease with which hair can be plucked from the scalp and the development of "lupus hairs" (i.e. short strands at the scalp line).
Hair loss can have many other causes.
For example, about 3 or 4 months after an illness or a major surgery, you may suddenly lose a large amount of hair. This hair loss is related to the stress of the illness and is temporary.
Hormonal problems may cause hair loss. If your thyroid gland problems your hair may fall out. This hair loss usually can be helped by treatment thyroid disease. Hair loss may occur if male or female hormones, known as androgens and estrogens, are out of balance. Correcting the hormone imbalance may stop your hair loss.
Some medicines can cause hair loss. This type of hair loss improves when you stop taking the medicine. Medicines that can cause hair loss include blood thinners (also called anticoagulants), medicines used for gout, medicines used in chemotherapy to treat cancer, vitamin A (if too much is taken), birth control pills and antidepressants.
Certain infections can cause hair loss. Fungal infections of the scalp can cause hair loss in children. The infection is easily treated with antifungal medicines.
Also some nutritional deficiencies.
I know hair loss can be scary but trust me it is treatable and hair loss that comes from lupus typically corrects in self in time. It may take up to 6 months for the hair to grow back but in most cases it does. So I wouldn’t panic.
There is no way for me to tell if your hair had become thicker due to the vitamin supplements you had taken but I would not doubt it.
Good Nutrition does aid in healing and helps our mind body and spirit to do better!
I must caution however you against taking herbs and vitamin supplements without consulting with a physician.
There have been numerous incidents of individuals getting ill and dying by self medicating, especially if one is on prescriptions.
Over the counter remedies can react with prescription drugs and also with other non prescription supplements and remedies.
The best way to improve our nutritional status is through food.
If your interested in knowing more about proper eating habits and
How to help eliminate deficiencies of vitamins or minerals.
You can consult with a nutritionist. They specialize in assisting people to eat healthier. They are especially important for individuals with diabetes and other disorders were special diets are involved.
Yes unfortunately many of the drugs used to treat Lupus do have Hair loss as a side effect. However it is reversible and sometimes such as in the case with Immuran it goes away after the body adjusts to the medication.
Plaquenil has been seen as the drug of choice for Lupus related hair loss.
I hope I gave you enough information. If you need further Info please write me.
