Endocrine System Problems And Hair Loss

[slowjo]

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.

[Swimmy]

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.

[kathie47]

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.

[slowjo]

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

[slowjo]

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.

[Dr. William Lindsey]

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