Thinning hair and/or hair loss

[momsonhd]

My Mom has been on dialysis for 7 months and her hairdresser told me that her hair is thinning so much that it is hard to style.  Is this a result of dialysis?  Is there some sort of supplememt she can take?

[kellyt]

I think it is, but someone here will be able to tell you for sure!   Give her a big hug for us and tell her to hang in there!     You too!! 

[MiSSis]

Hi momsonhd,  There have been several discussions on this topic because many of us suffer from the same problem.  Here's some links to several of those that you might want to check out.

http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=9783.0

http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=11387.0

http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=6983.0

http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=352.0

Hopefully you'll find some information in one of these threads that you can discuss with your mom's doctor. 

[MIbarra]

Yes, it is a result of dialysis. Dialysis cleans out a lot of stuff the body needs in addition to the toxins. There is a renal vitamine her doctor might prescribe which may slow the process a bit.

[cherpep]

That's why I wear scarves.  I wear them everywhere - even to work.  I have actually learned to love them.  I went to an artist's studio on the west side of Michigan, and discovered some beautiful silk scarves.  I purchased 2 and they were so comfortable and I received so many compliments on them, I had to have more.  I called the studio who put me in contact with the artist.  She made me several more.  I now have these beautiful scarves that go with every outfit. She does have a site on the internet if anyone is interested.  They are fabulous. 

[Stacy Without An E]

My hair loss has gotten to the point where its finally really noticeable.  I'd shave it all off and be done with it, but I know I won't look good bald, so I'm investing in some skull caps to cover my head.

Just another facet of my life that Dialysis had decided it needed to destroy.

[MiSSis]

I've never had thick, luxurious hair(my twin brother got that, what a waste!).  Mine's always been very skinny and fine except for when I took Minoxidil in the very early stages of my kidney failure and my first transplant when my blood pressure was out of control.  Unfortunately, in addition to giving me much thicker hair, Minoxidil makes hair grow EVERYWHERE!  It was awful and when I talked to my transplant doctor about it, his best recommendation was just to shave more often.  Jerk. 

My hair has gotten progressive thinner in the 5+ years that I've been back on PD.  What I'm using now is a line of Redken products called Extreme .... shampoo, conditioner and my favorite product which is call Anti-Snap.  I think this has worked well to prevent the breakage from my hair being weak.  Another thing I'm working on but am not entirely successful is trying to get my Albumin level up to the level desired by my D Docs.  They would like it to be at 4.0 or higher and I struggle with this.  Last month was the first time in over 1 1/2 years that I've been able to accomplish that.  I do take a protein supplement although I don't like it much and can only seem to choke it down once or twice a week.  I've also found that having eggs a couple of times a week has helped me a lot. 

It's certainly something to discuss with your mom's doctor and check to make sure what her blood levels are that might be affecting her hair growth/loss.  Maybe he/she can suggest some dietary changes that would be beneficial.  I know it won't help much but let her know that it's not abnormal for this to be happening and that she's certainly not alone in this struggle.  While doctor's might think it's only cosmetic and shouldn't be of concern, looking as nice and as healthy as we can is a boost to our moral and shouldn't be taken lightly.  IMO.

[paddbear0000]

I'm not quite on dialysis yet, but my kidney failure has already taken a toll on my hair. I've always had very fine hair (nor much of it), but as my kidneys worsen, so does my hair. It's getting duller and duller, as well as breaking like crazy.My doctor says it's because of my extremely low protein diet. I finally get a haircut I like, but now it looks like crap!

[peleroja]

If I recall, it has something to do with protein, which is a very tiny molecule and easily dialyzed out of the system.  I find my hair, which is about 10 inches past my derriere, everywhere!  Drives me crazy.  Every time I vacuum it wraps around the spindle thingy and then I have to take the vacuum apart, remove all the hair (wish there was some way to paste it back on my head!), and put the machine back together.  I'll keep hanging in, though; I love (what's left of) my long hair!!!!!

[Zach]

Take a look at you iron & ferritin levels.

[paddbear0000]

My iron and ferritin levels were low. I had several IV iron treatments a week or so ago, but what can you do to increase ferritin?

[kidney4traci]

I had this problem too in the beginning - but as my labs improved I have not had these problems.  Think it depends on you and why you are on dialysis.  And your general body chemistry.  There are protein hair tratments, but don't use every day as too much of a good thing can be bad.  In this case, too much protein will make it brittle and break.  Use it like 2xs a week. 

[momsonhd]

Thanks everyone for you suggestions!  It is so cool that you are all so knowledgeable!   I wish my mother's eyesight was better so that she could enjoy your "company"!
Thanks again!

[paris]

http://www.healthline.com/adamcontent/ferritin?utm_medium=ask&utm_source=smart&utm_campaign=article&utm_term=Ferritin&ask_return=Ferritin


This will help explain the difference between ferritin levels and iron levels.   Two different types of iron problems. 

Momsonhd,  glad members could help.  Keep asking questions and give our best to your Mom   

[Lucinda]

Even though I haven't started dialysis yet, my hair started to fall out and it was very dry.  I was a long-hair streaked white blonde and now I have very short black hair.  The darker colour looks much healthier and I am use to it now and it is much easier to look after.  There is an upside!

[bette1]

My hair has been very thin since I've been on dialysis.  I've been working on increasing my protein consumption and that seems to help.  I make myself eat zone bars for breakfast even when I'm not hungry.  I have also started wearing the cloth headbands which cover up my balding spots. 

[Sluff]

Hi momsonhd,  There have been several discussions on this topic because many of us suffer from the same problem.  Here's some links to several of those that you might want to check out.

http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=9783.0

http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=11387.0

http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=6983.0

http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=352.0

Hopefully you'll find some information in one of these threads that you can discuss with your mom's doctor. 

Thanks MiSSiS for helping this member.

[MiSSis]

You're welcome, Sluff.  I was glad to help.