Regular Member slowjo Posted January 21, 2011 Regular Member Share Posted January 21, 2011 About the same time I started noticing my hair loss I was diagnosed with adrenal gland problems (along with the rest of my endocrine system). I wonder if anyone has heard if the hair returns when the problem is corrected? I've been taking Rogaine which seems to make more hair fall out at times (constantly in my hands while washing my hair). It's getting pretty thing on the top. The interesting thing is my hair seems to go in cycles. It starts to thicken up and not fall out, then gets thin and frail and falls out again a few weeks later. I'm sure genetic hair loss is part of it, but it's really been playing with my mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Swimmy Posted January 21, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted January 21, 2011 About the same time I started noticing my hair loss I was diagnosed with adrenal gland problems (along with the rest of my endocrine system). I wonder if anyone has heard if the hair returns when the problem is corrected? I've been taking Rogaine which seems to make more hair fall out at times (constantly in my hands while washing my hair). It's getting pretty thing on the top. The interesting thing is my hair seems to go in cycles. It starts to thicken up and not fall out, then gets thin and frail and falls out again a few weeks later. I'm sure genetic hair loss is part of it, but it's really been playing with my mind. Not sure if this is relevant. So I don't know exactly what your adrenal problem is. What is Adrenal Fatigue? Adrenal fatigue is also known as hypoadrenia, which is characterized as "exhausted" adrenal function, which often accompanies adrenal atrophy or shrunken glands due to extreme physiologic and/or psychological stress. The primary function of the adrenal glands is to coordinate hormonal balance, under different emotional and physical conditions. These glands act as support to the major organs, yet their role is just as important, as they regulate everything from body temperature to appetite to hormonal balance. Virtually every tissue, organ and gland in the body is affected by adrenal function. Despite that reality, adrenal function is fundamentally ignored in allopathic medicine. The reason is that standard tests are virtually ineffective except in extreme cases. Hence, patients are informed they are "normal," despite not feeling well. Patients who fail to recover from standard treatments, often have accompanying adrenal fatigue. During the flu epidemic in the early part of the 19th century, over 80% of those who died had adrenal atrophy. The endocrine glands involved here are the hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal glands (HPA axis). The hypothalamus initially detects stimuli or stress signals, which elicit a response through the pituitary, and the adrenal glands produce adaptogenic hormones to respond to such stress. Androgenic hormones and the "stress hormone," cortisol are produced by the adrenal glands, are sent to every tissue, gland and organ in the body, in relative proportion to stimuli detected by the hypothalamus. So what does adrenal fatigue has to do with hair loss? Inflammation is always present in adrenal fatigue. What comes with adrenal fatigue accompanies poor wound healing and sodium, potassium and magnesium imbalances. Many with adrenal fatigue have depression who are using prescription antidepressants. It is interesting to note that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are commonly prescribed are relatively ineffective for mild to moderate depression, and only marginally helpful for severe depression. This has been a result of an examination of 50 clinical trials evaluating the net effect of these drugs. PLoS Med 08;5(2):e45 This is even more relevant to hair loss as SSRI's such as popularly prescribed medications such as Effexor (venlafaxine), Luvox (fluvoxamine), Prozac (fluoxetine), Paxil (paroxetine), and Zoloft (sertraline) and cause hair loss due to their effect on the hormone prolactin. Sexual side effects are also evidence of this effect. Recently it was found that some users suffer sustained sexual dysfunction after cessation of antidepressant treatments. J Sex Med. 2008 Jan;5(1):227-33. Physicians often blame depression as a result of stress, however existing adrenal dysfunction itself brings on an increased sensitivity to stress. Resolving depression can be successful when the root or underlying cause is addressed. The adrenal glands, pituitary and thyroid are most likely the fundamental culprits. Secondary to that is gastrointestinal problems, where a malabsorption of amino acids prevents the production of neurotransmitters. Classical symptoms of adrenal fatigue include waking up restless with midday fatigue, followed by better energy in the evening. Often, patients with adrenal dysfunction feel best at night. Hypoglycemia is quite commonly associated with adrenal fatigue. Hypoglycemia very often leads to diabetes. Problems with glucose metabolism as discussed on previous pages is fuel for androgenetic alopecia. Other symptoms of adrenal fatigue include high sensitivity to stress, difficultly focusing, diminished sexual desire, and breathing and/or respiratory problems, which include sensitivity to allergens, and/or are chemically sensitive (multiple chemical sensitivity). Poor adrenal gland function can result in low cortisol secretion, paradoxically this can manifest as symptoms of high anxiety, heart palpitations, feeling of malaise, tremors, feeling jittery and even a false assumption of being hyperthyroid. Ignoring adrenal function could result in insufficient thyroid support, as often these symptoms are mistakenly presumed that the thyroid is overactive. The reason is that cortisol allows for heightened sensitivity of thyroid hormones, allowing cells to utilize thyroid hormone. When cortisol levels are too low, thyroid levels rise, yet sensitivity decreases--easily giving the physician a false reading. Reviving adrenal function will allow for better regulation of thyroid hormones. How does one accurately test for adrenal fatigue? Answer is cortisol testing, taken four intervals in a day, preferably recorded once per day, at four different times and days. Insist on saliva tests, as blood cortisol is not reliable. If your readings are too high, you may control them with Ashwaganda (Sensoril®) and Phosphatidyserine. If cortisol levels are lower than average, you will need glandular support. I recommend Standard Process products. For adrenal support Drenamin is very effective. Drenamin works best in divided doses and should be taken for several months until improvement is noticed. Standard Process is normally only available by a doctors referral, however it can be purchased here as well. In this day and age, it is very difficult to find a competent physician who is knowledgeable in nutrition and medicine. It is even more of a challenge to find a doctor knowledgeable in natural endocrinology. Thyroid function goes hand in hand with adrenal function, and as such, getting a proper handle of your iodine levels is very important. Many wonder if there are any alternatives to using synthetic or even natural thyroid medications. If iodine replenishment does not solve your problem, there are thyroid preparations to consider. Standard Process offers a product called Thytrophin PMG. It can be purchased here. When treating adrenal fatigue, it is important to treat all the glands to maximize potential of complete recovery. That said, the pituitary gland can be replenished using Pituitrophin PMG by Standard Process. It can be ordered here. These products can be utilized by your endocrine glands to achieve tremendous recovery, which can be in stark contrast to pharmaceutical chemicals, which usually serve to suppress the very function of these glands, literally causing atrophy. Furthermore, these adulterated chemicals disrupt normal feedback loops, creating hormonal chaos. Some doctors believe that Maca (Lepidium meyenii) may aid in adrenal balance, as more research becomes available it seems very probable that Maca will be a rising star. Andrologia. 2007 Aug;39(4):151-8. Food Chem Toxicol. 2007 Oct;45(10):1882-90. Asian J Androl. 2007 Mar;9(2):245-51. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2007 Jun;62(2):59-63. Phytomedicine. 2007 Aug;14(7-8):460-4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member kathie47 Posted January 21, 2011 Senior Member Share Posted January 21, 2011 Since you say the hair loss seems to be coming in cycles, there could be a hormonal correlation that might be corrected once you find your hormonal balance through recommendations from your doctor. I'm not certain your hair loss will not be permanent, however, especially since you think it might be genetic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member slowjo Posted January 22, 2011 Author Regular Member Share Posted January 22, 2011 (edited) I have been diagnosed with Adrenal Fatigue, so I do think most of it is hormonal. Rogaine foam is probably mixed in there exacerbating the problem as well. I don't know if it's hereditary, I just figured it is probably playing a role as well. When I wash my hair it's rare anymore not to have sheds. My hair is very thin and frail most times (although sometimes it does have a thicker texture every month or so for about two weeks). While the overall texture of my hair thickens, I haven't really seen the old hair from my sheds growing back. Just kind of giving up hope of stopping it or getting it to come back. Even if it's hormonal how can the follicle stay alive when it's dormant for such prolonged periods of time? It could be a while before all the doctors I've seen are able to get a grasp of this. Edited January 22, 2011 by slowjo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member slowjo Posted January 29, 2011 Author Regular Member Share Posted January 29, 2011 Since my problem could be hormonal (and it's been a year), would something like PRP be an option to help my hair? I know it's not proven to help with MPB, but thought it might kick mine back into gear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Dr. William Lindsey Posted January 31, 2011 Regular Member Share Posted January 31, 2011 Your next step is to visit an Endocrinologist, or gland doctor. While this is an excellent site for educating yourself on options, its best for typical male pattern baldness sufferers. If you have endocrine issues, or think that you do, see a doctor who will diagnose and treat these. This may stop or reverse your hair issues without surgery. And if it doesn't at least you know that you tried a non surgical option first. Also, consider posting your situation so that others can learn from your experience. Dr. Lindsey McLean VA William H. Lindsey, MD, FACS McLean, VA Dr. William Lindsey is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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