Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Did you have hair loss?

sella

Recommended Posts

sella Explorer
sella
Posted

Hello,

I have been on a gluten-free diet for 2 years after celiac diagnosis. I have had hair loss in the temple and frontal hairline area. It has still has not grown back. Actually, it is fine baby hairs that do not grow longer than an inch or so. Although my hemoglobin is in the normal range at 13, my iron level is low around 40. I don't know if it's due to my iron level or nutritional deficiencies I may be still experiencing two years on the gluten-free diet. 

Did you have hair loss? If so, how long did it take to grow back?

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


manasota Explorer
manasota
Posted

I've been gluten free for 5 1/2 years.  My hairline has advanced, seriously!  I have more hair, thicker hair, including lots of hair where it never was before.  My hairline has advanced toward my eyes & down my neck.  Wish I had this when I was younger.

Sorry that I can't help you with your hair loss issue.  Maybe you could have your doctor test for nutrient deficiencies?  Maybe it's not even related to the Celiac?  Could it be age-related?  Or genetic?  Other family members with similar issue?

I know whenever I have a new issue, I tend to jump on the Celiac bandwagon even when it has nothing to do with Celiac.

Celiac can be sooooo frustrating!  There is no real authority for us to go to for answers!  :-(

sella Explorer
sella
Posted
  • Author

How long did it take for your hair to start growing back?

It's interesting that you mentioned hair loss down your neck. I never wear pony tails because I am missing hair on one side down my neck. I don't know if this is called the hairline at back neck.

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

How is your thyroid?  Running hypothyroid can be one reason for hair loss.  

sella Explorer
sella
Posted
  • Author

I often get my thyroid levels checked, which show up in the normal range.

manasota Explorer
manasota
Posted

Sella, I never really suffered hair loss.  I probably had Celiac ever since infancy & my hair was always thin and slightly sparse.  After going gluten free, I was quite surprised to gain thicker hair that also advanced down my forehead, toward my face, & down the back of my neck.  My ponytails became much thicker.  I think I was probably gluten free for 2-3 years before my hair got thicker.  I wish I had a better answer for you.  One of the most maddening things, for me, is that Celiac is so individualistic in symptoms and in recovery.

Babygirl6915 Explorer
Babygirl6915
Posted

Hi Sella,

I know you said you had your thyroid checked but have you had a full blood panel done? While I don't have Celiac (well, I haven't been tested for it), I do have a severe gluten allergy (IgE) as well as gluten sensitivity (IgA). When I started my gluten-free diet, I did experience pretty serious hair loss that I still struggle with today almost 10 years later. Turns out, the hair loss is a symptom of my PCOS (which is what triggered my gluten issues according to my doctors), not the gluten-free diet or gluten in general. In my efforts to get healthier I replaced old symptoms with new ones. Try talking to your doctor about the hair loss & see if there is anything else going on that could be behind it.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


beachbum Newbie
beachbum
Posted

I had hair loss but it was a secondary response to my Celiac disease.  I was so anemic and malnourished that I had significant hair loss, including on legs, forearms, the fine hairs on the finger and toe joints. I also developed thyroid issues which took significant time to diagnose even though I had been seeing an endocrinologist...I had ALL the symptoms of hypothyroid except the test results kept coming back inconclusive. Once I started thyroid Med hair loss stopped but still didn't have regrow the of loss.  That finally happened once my anemia was under control AND my vitamin D was up.  I swear the balancing of my vitamin D was when my hair started to regrow. I now have hair on my arms and legs though more sparse than before.  I also have fine hairs on my fingers and toes again.  My hair on my head is thicker and grows better.  I am female close to menopause, but my hair is fabulous.  

If you find that you're vitamin D is insufficient, I would suggest Super Daily D drops by Carlson.  I have found that I don't absorb tablets as well as liquids due to irreversible gut damage this product worked for me.

TeenaMarie Newbie
TeenaMarie
Posted

I would suggest that you iron levels and Vitamin D levels are tested.  Hair loss is one of my issues pertaining to gluten sensitivity. 

sella Explorer
sella
Posted
  • Author

My iron level is 40, which was noted as low on my blood test. But it is not that low. 

My vitamin D level has alos been low, but fight at the border of normal, which I think is 30. I thought most people have vitamin D deficiency?

 

TONKA Newbie
TONKA
Posted

I lost SO much hair before I was diagnosed.  It stablized but has tecently started to come out a lot.  I had been eating McDonald's fries with no sign of gluten but guess this was my 'sign'.  ?

Gelea Newbie
Gelea
Posted

McDonalds fries contain wheat. They aren't real potatoes. They are made of a slush of a mixture of potatoes wheat and other things then extruded to look like fries. 

Dr. Cheryl Reichert Newbie
Dr. Cheryl Reichert
Posted

I lost SO much hair before I was diagnosed.  It stablized but has tecently started to come out a lot.  I had been eating McDonald's fries with no sign of gluten but guess this was my 'sign'.  ?

Hair loss is quite common with gluten sensitivity. Make sure that your hair products don't contain gluten. Some hair products like Andalou claim to be "gluten free" but actually contain hydrolyzed barley protein and/or wheat germ. This can be especially damaging to someone with non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Also you must avoid anything that has been fried in oil where battered foods are also cooked or your food will be coated with an invisible layer of flour that bubbles up from the bottom of the fryer. In addition, some "reformatted" french fries may contain gluten to hold the fake fry together. If you are going to eat french fries, I suggest making your own with sweet potatoes and coconut oil.

sella Explorer
sella
Posted
  • Author

Manasota,

Just curious if you are using a gluten-free shampoo?

manasota Explorer
manasota
Posted

Sella, all of my personal products are gluten free.  Most of them are Certified Gluten Free.  The shampoo I use is by a company called EO.  It is a gentle daily shampoo French Lavender for normal hair.  I don't put anything else on my hair, except a tiny bit of EO unscented everyone lotion to tame the flyaway hairs.  I try to use gluten free everything--to the best of my ability anyway!

Have you seen a dermatologist?  Your hair issues are much more serious than mine ever were.  I didn't even know I had any hair issues until it started growing in thicker.

The EO products can be purchased by the gallon to save money.  Also, Whole Foods frequently has them on sale.  I buy them online when they're on sale too.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,855
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Tara M
    Newest Member
    Tara M
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • cristiana
      Ibuprofen

      By cristiana · Posted

      @Colleen H   I am just curious,  when you were tested for coeliac disease, did the doctors find out if you had any deficiencies? Sometimes muscle pain can be caused by certain deficiencies, for example, magnesium, vitamin D, calcium, and potassium.   Might be worth looking into having some more tests.  Pins and needles can be neuropathy, again caused by deficiencies, such as iron and B12,  which can be reversed if these deficiencies are addressed. In the UK where I live we are usually only tested for iron, B12 and vitamin D deficiencies at diagnosis.   I was very iron anemic and supplementation made a big difference.  B12 was low normal, but in other countries the UK's low normal would be considered a deficiency.  My vitamin D was low normal, and I've been supplementing ever since (when I remember to take it!) My pins and needles definitely started to improve when my known deficiencies were addressed.  My nutritionist also gave me a broad spectrum supplement which really helped, because I suspect I wasn't just deficient in what I mention above but in many other vitamins and minerals.  But a word of warning, don't take iron unless blood tests reveal you actually need it, and if you are taking it your levels must be regularly monitored because too much can make you ill.  (And if you are currently taking iron, that might actually be making your stomach sore - it did mine, so my GP changed my iron supplementation to a gentler form, ferrous gluconate). Lastly, have you been trying to take anything to lessen the pain in your gut?  I get a sore stomach periodically, usually when I've had too much rich food, or when I have had to take an aspirin or certain antibiotics, or after glutening.  When this happens, I take for just a few days a small daily dose of OTC omeprazole.  I also follow a reflux or gastritis diet. There are lots online but the common denominators to these diets is you need to cut out caffeine, alcohol, rich, spicy, acidic food etc and eat small regularly spaced meals.   When I get a sore stomach, I also find it helpful to drink lots of water.  I also find hot water with a few slices of ginger very soothing to sip, or camomile tea.  A wedge pillow at night is good for reflux. Also,  best not to eat a meal 2-3 hours before going to bed. If the stomach pain is getting worse, though, it would be wise to see the doctor again. I hope some of this helps. Cristiana    
    • Me,Sue
      Knowing what to do when feeling unwell.

      By Me,Sue · Posted

      I was diagnosed with coeliac disease a couple of years ago [ish]. I love my food and a variety of food, so it's been hard, as it is with everyone. I try and ensure everything I eat doesn't contain gluten, but occasionally I think something must have got through that has gluten in. Mainly I know because I have to dash to the loo, but recently I have noticed that I feel nauseous after possibly being glutened. I think the thing that I have got better at is knowing what to do when I feel wiped out after a gluten 'episode'. I drink loads of water, and have just started drinking peppermint tea. I also have rehydration powders to drink. I don't feel like eating much, but eventually feel like I need to eat. Gluten free flapjacks, or gluten free cereal, or a small gluten free kids meal are my go to. I am retired, so luckily I can rest, sometimes even going to bed when nothing else works. So I feel that I am getting better at knowing how to try and get back on track. I am also trying to stick to a simpler menu and eat mostly at home so that I can be more confident about what I am eating. THANKS TO THOSE WHO REPLIED ABOUT THE NAUSEA .
    • Francis M
      The Happy Tart review

      By Francis M · Posted

      Thanks. Since the back and forth and promises of review and general stalling went on for more than six months, the credit company will no longer investigate. They have a cutoff of maybe six months.
    • Scott Adams
      The Happy Tart review

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Is this the same restaurant? https://www.facebook.com/TheHappyTartFallsChurch/ Is it too late to take this up with your credit card company? Normally you have a few months to do a chargeback with them. It seems very odd that they are taking this approach with someone who is likely to be a regular customer--not a good business-minded way of handling things!
    • Scott Adams
      Stomach burning and neuropathy

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Many people with celiac disease, especially those who are in the 0-2 year range of their recovery, have additional food intolerance issues which could be temporary. To figure this out you may need to keep a food diary and do an elimination diet over a few months. Some common food intolerance issues are dairy/casein, eggs, corn, oats, and soy. The good news is that after your gut heals (for most people who are 100% gluten-free this will take several months to two years) you may be able to slowly add some these items back into your diet after the damaged villi heal. This article may be helpful: The most common nutrient deficiencies associated with celiac disease that may lead to testing for the condition include iron, vitamin D, folate (vitamin B9), vitamin B12, calcium, zinc, and magnesium.  Unfortunately many doctors, including my own doctor at the time, don't do extensive follow up testing for a broad range of nutrient deficiencies, nor recommend that those just diagnosed with celiac disease take a broad spectrum vitamin/mineral supplement, which would greatly benefit most, if not all, newly diagnosed celiacs. Because of this it took me decades to overcome a few long-standing issues I had that were associated with gluten ataxia, for example numbness and tingling in my feet, and muscle knots--especially in my shoulders an neck. Only long term extensive supplementation has helped me to resolve these issues.        
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.