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

Thinning/balding Hair?

Guest ajlauer

By Guest ajlauer
in Related Issues & Disorders

Recommended Posts

Guest ajlauer
Guest ajlauer
Posted

Does anyone have a problem with premature thinning/balding of the hair? I'm 27. Trying to figure out what course of treatment to try and get my hair back. Here's the thing.... My hairdresser friend recommended Nioxin vitamins. Do vitamins even work for celiacs that aren't gluten free?????? I probably won't know for awhile whether or not I have celiac disease. I know it takes a few weeks for the tests, and I don't even have an appointment with the GI yet. So assuming I can get in immediately, and he isn't a jerk, and would be willing to test.... I'm still 2 weeks away.

Anyways, is hair problems a symptom? And what is anyone else's experience with treating it?

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


SueD Newbie
SueD
Posted

Several years before I figured out that I was sensitive to wheat, I noticed that my hair was thinning (dramatically). I could pick up handfulls of hair after I shampooed. I tried multiple shampoos, no improvement. Then I started using just a bath soap (which I have since found is gluten-free) to wash my hair, and the problem quickly resolved. Now I'm using a gluten-free shampoo, and my hair is thicker and shinier than it has been in years. I think vitamins could help, but I'd suggest a gluten-free shampoo, too.

Guest Viola
Guest Viola
Posted

Hair loss is also a common thing with low vitamin B12, which is also a possible symptom of Celiac.

Guest ajlauer
Guest ajlauer
Posted

Thanks for the replies! Sue, what is the name of the shampoo you use? Are there some "over the counter" types found at Walmart? Or do you have to go to a salon? My hair is very dry and frizzy, but scalp gets oily very quickly. Color treated also, but it's pretty much faded by now. Thanks.

hthorvald Rookie
hthorvald
Posted

Yes, my hair is falling out, too. I complained to my doctor, who immediately tested my thyroid and my hormone levels (I'm at that age). All were normal, so I'm thinking my shampoo my be the culprit.

A gluten free shampoo was mentioned. Can you post the name of this shampoo and how to get it? Conditioner, too. I use Neutrogena, and as I found out today, it's wheat free, but the company doesn't guarantee that others grains aren't used. So, maybe I've solved the problem of my hair falling out.

Thanks,

Helen.

SueD Newbie
SueD
Posted

I've been using products from the Gluten-Free Savonnerie (www.gfsoap.com). They're gluten, casein, soy, nut, fragrance, and colorant -free, but make wonderful lather. The owners of the company are very responsive to requests and can ship you a travel pack (sample sizes) if you want to try it before buying bigger sizes. It is a little expensive, but it's been worth it for me (since I'm still new at this) not to have to try to decipher the labels.

hthorvald Rookie
hthorvald
Posted

Sue, thanks for the URL. Can you recommend one of these shampoos that leaves your hair shiney? My hair is a little dry, but can get oily by the end of the day.

Thanks,

Helen.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


KaitiUSA Enthusiast
KaitiUSA
Posted

I use Dove shampoo and conditioner...Dove will not hide anything.It really is good for my hair even though I have not had a problem with my hair dry or thinning if fact my hair is thick. It does help after it goes through processing like coloring and my hair used to get oily with certain shampoos. I really like Dove brand so just check the labels.

SueD Newbie
SueD
Posted

The GFSoap folks have 3 kinds of bar soap, one liquid soap, one shampoo and a conditioner, and a lotion -- all gluten-free. I think some folks also use Garnier fructis (available at the local grocery and drug stores).

Guest gfinnebraska
Guest gfinnebraska
Posted

I use Pantene, which is also gluten-free. They have several varieties for different hair types. I have also read that Suave products are gluten-free.

KaitiUSA Enthusiast
KaitiUSA
Posted

I have read that Suave does not add any gluten containing ingredients but they do not test...

cdford Contributor
cdford
Posted

Not all the Pantene ones are gluten-free. I checked on the brunette one last week and it was not. Neither are any of the others of those type that I have checked so far. Bummer...I don't want to color my gray, just help it not look so obvious. Anybody else noticed that upon going gluten-free their gray hair began to look less gray?

Binks Newbie
Binks
Posted

I too have had problems with my hair ever since the onset of celiac disease. It has been about ten years now of progressive thinning, with my hair getting weaker, more brittle, dry, dull, lusterless, flakey scalp....Nioxin is terrible and contains wheat. I have tried many shampoos but am sensitive to the sodium laureth and larutyl sulfates which make my scalp intolerbly itchy.

What I have come to discover helps is using Shen Min Activator scalp treatment twice daily, and taking lots of B-vitamins, essential fatty acids, enzymes to absorb and digest it all. It seems that poor nutrition and hormone imbalance are involved. Avoding foods that I am sensitve to and taking DIM (diinolymethane) to modualte hormones like DHT and estrogen has helped the most. I am actually regrowing hair.

I guess it's tough to say whether it's from celiac disease or the other dozen aiments I seem to have which all seem to be a result of having celiac disease....Hope this helps.

Archived

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

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. JudyLou
      - JudyLou replied to JudyLou's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      11

      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      Thanks so much!
    2. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to JudyLou's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      11

      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      I have osteopenia and have cracked three vertebrae. Niacin is connected to osteoporosis! Do talk to your nutritionist and doctor about supplementing with B vitamins. Blood tests don't reveal the amount of vitamins stored inside cells. The blood is a transportation system and can reflect vitamins absorbed from food eaten in the previous twenty-four...
    3. JudyLou
      - JudyLou replied to JudyLou's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      11

      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      Thank you so much for the clarification! Yes to these questions: Have you consulted dietician? Have you been checked for nutritional deficiencies? Osteoporosis? Thyroid? Anemia? Do you take any supplements, or vitamins? I’m within healthy range for nutritional tests, thyroid and am not anemic. I do have osteopenia. I don’t take any medications, and the...
    4. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to JudyLou's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      11

      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      @JudyLou, I have dermatitis herpetiformis, too! And...big drum roll... Niacin improves dermatitis herpetiformis! Niacin is very important to skin health and intestinal health. You're correct. dermatitis herpetiformis usually occurs on extensor muscles, but dermatitis herpetiformis is also pressure sensitive, so blisters can form...
    5. trents
      - trents replied to Mark Conway's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      5

      Have I got coeliac disease

      And I agree with Wheatwacked. When a physician tells you that you can't have celiac disease because you're not losing weight, you can be certain that doctor is operating on a dated understanding of celiac disease. I assume you are in the UK by the way you spelled "coeliac". So, I'm not sure what your options are when it comes to healthcare, but I might suggest...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,155
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Beccad611
    Newest Member
    Beccad611
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • JudyLou
      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      By JudyLou · Posted

      Thanks so much! 
    • knitty kitty
      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      I have osteopenia and have cracked three vertebrae.  Niacin is connected to osteoporosis! Do talk to your nutritionist and doctor about supplementing with B vitamins.  Blood tests don't reveal the amount of vitamins stored inside cells.  The blood is a transportation system and can reflect vitamins absorbed from food eaten in the previous twenty-four to forty-eight hours.  Those "normal limits" are based on minimum amounts required to prevent disease, not levels for optimal health.   Keep us posted on your progress.   B Vitamins: Functions and Uses in Medicine https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9662251/ Association of dietary niacin intake with osteoporosis in the postmenopausal women in the US: NHANES 2007–2018 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11835798/ Clinical trial: B vitamins improve health in patients with coeliac disease living on a gluten-free diet https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19154566/   Nutritional Imbalances in Adult Celiac Patients Following a Gluten-Free Diet https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8398893/ Nutritional Consequences of Celiac Disease and Gluten-Free Diet https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7422/15/4/61 Simplifying the B Complex: How Vitamins B6 and B9 Modulate One Carbon Metabolism in Cancer and Beyond https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9609401/
    • JudyLou
      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      By JudyLou · Posted

      Thank you so much for the clarification! Yes to these questions: Have you consulted dietician?  Have you been checked for nutritional deficiencies?  Osteoporosis? Thyroid? Anemia?  Do you take any supplements, or vitamins? I’m within healthy range for nutritional tests, thyroid and am not anemic. I do have osteopenia. I don’t take any medications, and the dietician was actually a nutritionist (not sure if that is the same thing) recommended by my physician at the time to better understand gluten free eating.    I almost wish the gluten exposure had triggered something, so at least I’d know what’s going on. So confusing!    Many thanks! 
    • knitty kitty
      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @JudyLou,  I have dermatitis herpetiformis, too!  And...big drum roll... Niacin improves dermatitis herpetiformis!   Niacin is very important to skin health and intestinal health.   You're correct.  dermatitis herpetiformis usually occurs on extensor muscles, but dermatitis herpetiformis is also pressure sensitive, so blisters can form where clothing puts pressure on the skin. Elastic waist bands, bulky seams on clothing, watch bands, hats.  Rolled up sleeves or my purse hanging on my arm would make me break out on the insides of my elbows.  I have had a blister on my finger where my pen rested as I write.  Foods high in Iodine can cause an outbreak and exacerbate dermatitis herpetiformis. You've been on the gluten free diet for a long time.  Our gluten free diet can be low in vitamins and minerals, especially if processed gluten free foods are consumed.  Those aren't fortified with vitamins like gluten containing products are.  Have you consulted dietician?  Have you been checked for nutritional deficiencies?  Osteoporosis? Thyroid? Anemia?  Do you take any supplements, medicine, or vitamins? Niacin deficiency is connected to anemia.  Anemia can cause false negatives on tTg IgA tests.  A person can be on that borderline where symptoms wax and wane for years, surviving, but not thriving.  We have a higher metabolic need for more nutrients when we're sick or emotionally stressed which can deplete the small amount of vitamins we can store in our bodies and symptoms reappear.   Exposure to gluten (and casein in those sensitive to it) can cause an increased immune response and inflammation for months afterwards. The immune cells that make tTg IgA antibodies which are triggered today are going to live for about two years. During that time, inflammation is heightened.  Those immune cells only replicate when triggered.  If those immune cells don't get triggered again for about two years, they die without leaving any descendents programmed to trigger on gluten and casein.  The immune system forgets gluten and casein need to be attacked.  The Celiac genes turn off.  This is remission.    Some people in remission report being able to consume gluten again without consequence.   However, another triggering event can turn the Celiac genes on again.   Celiac genes are turned on by a triggering event (physical or emotional stress).  There's some evidence that thiamine insufficiency contributes to the turning on of autoimmune genes.  There is an increased biological need for thiamine when we are physically or emotionally stressed.  Thiamine cannot be stored for more than twenty-one days and may be depleted in as little as three during physical and emotional stresses. Mitochondria without sufficient thiamine become damaged and don't function properly.  This gets relayed to the genes and autoimmune disease genes turn on.  Thiamine and other B vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients are needed to replace the dysfunctional mitochondria and repair the damage to the body.   I recommend getting checked for vitamin and mineral deficiencies.  More than just Vitamin D and B12.  A gluten challenge would definitely be a stressor capable of precipitating further vitamin deficiencies and health consequences.   Best wishes!    
    • trents
      Have I got coeliac disease

      By trents · Posted

      And I agree with Wheatwacked. When a physician tells you that you can't have celiac disease because you're not losing weight, you can be certain that doctor is operating on a dated understanding of celiac disease. I assume you are in the UK by the way you spelled "coeliac". So, I'm not sure what your options are when it comes to healthcare, but I might suggest you look for another physician who is more up to date in this area and is willing to work with you to get an accurate diagnosis. If, in fact, you do not have celiac disease but you know that gluten causes you problems, you might have NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity). There is no test available yet for NCGS. Celiac must first be ruled out. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that damages the lining of the small bowel. NCGS we is not autoimmune and we know less about it's true nature. But we do know it is considerably more common than celiac disease.
×
×
  • 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.