Question:
What are the side effects of not enough protien?

I know I am not getting enough protien. My hair is falling out. What are some other signs I should watch for?? I don't want to pass out one day or do real damage to myself. (3 months PO)    — Rebecca K. (posted on September 1, 2003)

September 1, 2003
Rebecca, Could you please give us a little more info on what and how much you eat. Your hair falling out has way more to do with the anesthesia and surgery than the amount of protein you are eating. Unfortunately it is a side effect of surgery, for most people. It should grow back just fine. Your hair is on a growth cycle and what is happening now is a result of what happened to your body months ago. I started noticing it about 4-1/2 months but by 6 months things were growing back. I could tell by the noticeable grey around the temples. It was time for a new dye job. LOL <p>A lot depends on your total eating plan and how it uses maximum ketosis as to whether you need to get in a minimum of 600 calories to stay out of starvation mode. However, at 3 months most plans are not using ketosis as much any more. If you are really low in carbs then it is not as critical to get in the minimum of 60 grams of protein, although at 3 months you would be getting much closer. Are you doing any weight or resistance training? That will help build muscle and the more muscle you have the more your metabolism kicks in. <p>The symptoms might be things like feeling very weak and also your protein level in blood tests would be low. Does your surgeon do blood work at 3 months? If not, go to your PCP and tell him or her your concerns and ask them to run some tests. I'm not sure what other symptoms would indicate low protein. Maybe you need to eat 6 small meals so you can get in more protein. Talk to the surgeon or dietician also and see what ideas they have.
   — zoedogcbr

September 1, 2003
Hair falling out is normal for many people, even if they got enough protein from day one like me. If you check the library you will see that many people, regardless of their vitamins, proteins etc, still have their hair fall out. The hair will come back. Hang in there -
   — M B.

September 2, 2003
I know a lot of folks that never lost any hair -- myself included. I do protein drinks regularly and have since my surgery 2 years ago. Can't for sure say that that's the reason why I never lost a strand though. Your body is going to get the protein it needs no matter what it has to do to get it. And that includes TAKING it from your organs. At 3 months post op, you're probably ok. But you should look into the drinks (meat is fine too but I don't count it as protein -- even "normal" stomachs have problem digesting meat). Anyway...get some samples, try them and get your labs done regularly to make sure your blood is ok. Good luck and God bless!
   — Kimberly L.

September 2, 2003
How much protein ARE you getting? If you know you're not getting enough, why not increase it? Have you had recent labs? Your doctor can/will advise you if it's not high enough. Hair loss is not necessarily a symptom of low protein but if you KNOW you're not getting enough, you need to increase it. I fight the protein battle all the time myself so I know it can be hard but if you set certain times for a protein drink or bar it starts to become a habit.
   — susanje

September 2, 2003
Do an internet search on "symptoms protein deficiency" and you'll see many of the following symptoms: (1) increased secretions from the mouth, nose and eyes; (2) Edema of the hands and feet; (3) Muscle and or increased menstral cramps; (4) Lethargy; (5) Bleeding Gums; (6) Slow healing; (7) Intestinal Upsets. Many people say hair loss is a sign of lack of protein. Since I didn't have any hair loss, I cannot comment on that one. It's best to make sure you get adequate protein in just from the healing perspective.
   — Cathy S.