Question:
Biotin, Protein, or Iron

Which is going to help with Hair loss? I am 4 mths RNY post-op, and I am going bald. I have read all the postings, so I have increased my Biotin to 3000mcg, I am trying to get in all my protein,(65-75 grams per day) Taking ALL my vitamins and even an extra Iron supplement. Please tell me what else to do? Also, Can too much Biotin hurt you? I would appreciate your answers, God bless you. 1/31/06-250 down to 189-6/3/06    — crazym68 (posted on June 3, 2006)

June 3, 2006
4 months. Right on schedule. Most of us lose hair at 4 months, regardless of how much protein/B vites/iron we get. I specifically had time to build my levels for 4 months before my revision and kept high levels after and STILL, 4 months. But the good news the hair often comes in better than you had when it left. The fact that you are feeding the baby hairs so amply is good! Hold on. It'll end and you'll find a whole new crop of babies at your roots.
   — vitalady

June 3, 2006
Your body is playing catch up right now. Keep doing what you are doing and like the previous post stated it helps the new hair coming in. Your body is losing hair due to the time without the protein that it needed. It will return and get fuller around the seven month mark. A good haircut works wonders. I myself went shorter due to the hair loss so that when it started to grow out it wasn't as obvious for the loss. Nothing you can do except what you are doing and the next thing you know you'll have a full head of hair and a new figure to go with it. :)
   — 1968 Loser

June 3, 2006
Take a look at this website - it's explains why you are going through it now and answers a lot of questions. http://www.emedicine.com/DERM/topic416.htm
   — Rick Bedard

June 3, 2006
Marina, We have all lost hair, there is not much you can do to stop the falling out. All the creams & lotions & Vits wil not stop it. It just part of the WLS journey. The good news it does come back. Better & usually fuller. It will last for a couple of months. just wwhen you think it will never grow back, you start seeing little small hairs working their way back. The other questions you had, is yes too much biotin can hurt you it is part of the B family & too much has results just like lack of B vits can have. So watch the intake amounts you are taking. Do you take B-12 as well. You should be, if you are not. Hang Tough, it gets better & congrats on your weight loss. Marilyn, the Bearlady
   — Marilyn C.

June 3, 2006
Here is a good understandable explanation from this website: http://familydoctor.org/081.xml. What causes excessive hair loss? A number of things can cause excessive hair loss. 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 is overactive or underactive, your hair may fall out. This hair loss usually can be helped by treatment of the 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. Many women notice hair loss about 3 months after they've had a baby. This loss is also related to hormones. During pregnancy, high levels of certain hormones cause the body to keep hair that would normally fall out. When the hormones return to pre-pregnancy levels, that hair falls out and the normal cycle of growth and loss starts again. 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. Finally, hair loss may occur as part of an underlying disease, such as lupus or diabetes. Since hair loss may be an early sign of a disease, it is important to find the cause so that it can be treated. ******************* I'd add this explanation that I found on a website once that I lost. You just had major surgery - factor 1. You are starving your body - factor 2. Your hormones are changing with weight loss - factor 3. Triple whammy. Not much that protein and vitamins can really help. You just had major surgery and the body starves the least needed parts to direct it's energy into healing. The least vital thing is the hair. On top of that you are starving your body. Extra protein isn't likely to help when you are experiencing weight loss. Your body perceives an emergency. Then the hormones....they will always change after wls. So my best advice is to wait it out and not sweat it. When your hair starts growing back you will be surprised at how it looks normal again because even though you may only have 1/2 inch of grow out, it will cover that scalp and you won't look so bald. Good luck - and try not to stress. That too can cause hair loss! LOL!
   — Dinka Doo

June 3, 2006
I echo what others have said. I don't think you should probably take extra iron unless directed by your pcp. too much Iron can cause poisoning.I don't think anything will help. I have been losing hair for 2 yrs following several operations, diabetes and stress in life. I have tried costly treatments. I think I have thrown my money away. When it decides to come back, it will without all the things we've tried. I have lost 75% of hair on top of my head. I have kept it short and never noticed the hair loss until my scalp started showing. I was told after wls that my diabetes would go away and my hair would come back. So I've quit stressing. If it comes back ok, if it doesn't, I'll wear wigs and hats.
   — geneswife

June 4, 2006
This is what I take for my hair & etc.... Nioxin 3 step hair system I drink at least 50 grams of protein a day Eat protein first Try NOT to snack Smart food choices B - 12 prescribed vit. from my Dr. 2 Flintstones Complete 2 Citracal +D one in the am and one in pm NOW 3x a day 1 Biotin 2500 from GNC 2 Silica 500 mg. 1 Zinc 100 mg. SUGAR FREE, FAT FREE, OR NO SUGAR ADDED, LOW FAT
   — Janine Greenwood

June 4, 2006
After I read the post about too much biotin, I did a search because I KNOW this to be false. ALL excess B vitamins get eliminated in your urine. Hear is the article I read from. Biotin Biotin is necessary for the formation of fatty acids and glucose, which are used as fuels by the body. Biotin also helps to break down amino acids and carbohydrates in the body. Nutritionists categorize vitamins by the materials that a vitamin will dissolve in. There are two categories: water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins. Water-soluble vitamins, which include the B-complex group and vitamin C, travel through the bloodstream. Whatever water-soluble vitamins are not used by the body are eliminated in urine, which means you need a continuous supply of them in your food. Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin. How Much Biotin Is Enough? There is no recommended daily allowance for biotin because biotin deficiencies are extremely rare. A normal daily biotin intake for teens and adults is 30 to 100 micrograms a day. (But we are different, since we have absorption issues, ask your dr for the amount. I take 10,000mcg a day. Whatever my body doesnt use, goes out with the urine) Sources of Biotin * Liver * Cauliflower * Salmon * Carrots * Bananas * Cereals * Yeast Can You Have Too Much or Too Little? A lack of biotin in the body is rare, but certain skin conditions or genetic deficiencies may cause biotin deficiencies in infants. Biotin deficiency may cause skin rash, hair loss, high cholesterol levels and heart problems. Vitamin Storage If you want to get the most vitamins possible from your food, refrigerate fresh produce and keep milk and grains away from strong light. Vitamins are easily destroyed and washed out during food preparation and storage. If you take vitamin supplements, store them at room temperature in a dry place that's free of moisture. Hope this accurate information helps you. Also, when in doubt, ask your surgeon or PCP.
   — Courtney B.