Hair Loss, Eyebrow & Eyelash Thinning

Loss of hair
Photo: Lavizzara/Shutterstock
Q: I'm at my wit's end and don't know what else to do. My hair just keeps getting thinner and thinner, and it's becoming really distressing. The thinning actually started before I went on birth control pills about seven months ago. Back then, I was dealing with terrible mood swings, depression, and just feeling absolutely miserable overall. The birth control pill has been a godsend for those symptoms and I'm definitely staying on it, but unfortunately my hair loss has continued to worsen.
 
I pride myself on eating really well - plenty of lean proteins, fresh vegetables, and I'm religious about taking my vitamins. Despite all this, I'm still losing hair at an alarming rate. What's even more concerning is that I've started losing my eyebrows and eyelashes too, which is completely new since starting the pill seven months ago. I never had this problem before.
 
I had comprehensive blood work done recently, and everything came back normal. My thyroid levels were 2.18 and my free T4 was 1.1, which my doctor said were fine. They weren't able to do hormonal testing because I'm on the pill, which is frustrating. I'm starting to wonder if I should request testing for thyroid antibodies since that wasn't included in the initial workup.
 
This whole situation feels completely insane. I'm 43 years old and feel like I'm going bald, and nothing I do seems to make any difference. Do you have any suggestions for what I should try next?
 
A: I want to start by saying how deeply sorry I am that you're going through this experience. Hair loss can be incredibly emotionally challenging, and I can only imagine how frustrated and powerless you must feel watching your hair continue to thin despite all your efforts to maintain good health and nutrition. Your distress is completely understandable, and you're absolutely right to be seeking answers.
 
However, I need to be completely transparent with you about the limitations of what I can offer as a hairstylist. This situation you're describing goes well beyond what any hairdresser or stylist is qualified to address. We receive training and licensing that allows us to recognize potential signs of medical issues affecting the hair and scalp, specifically so we can refer clients to appropriate medical professionals when necessary. Our expertise lies in caring for and styling the hair that emerges from the scalp, but we're neither licensed nor qualified to diagnose the underlying causes of hair loss or recommend medical treatments.
 
What you're experiencing sounds complex and multifaceted, involving not just scalp hair but also eyebrows and eyelashes, which suggests this could be a systemic issue rather than just a localized scalp problem. The timing coinciding with your birth control use is worth noting, though correlation doesn't necessarily mean causation, especially since your hair thinning began before you started the medication.
 
Since you've already taken the important step of consulting with a physician and having blood work done, I would strongly encourage you to continue pursuing medical evaluation, but perhaps with a more specialized approach. A dermatologist who specializes in hair disorders would be your best next step. Dermatologists have extensive training in diagnosing and treating all types of alopecia, and they're equipped to perform more specialized testing that might not be standard in general medical practice.
 
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See also:
 
Hair loss
 
Thyroid disease and hair loss
 
Birth control pills and hair loss
 
The side effects of medications on your hair