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What Causes Hair Loss?

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Posted on Thu, 24 Apr 2014
Question: I am 63 years old and my hair has been thinning for the last few years, but recently I am losing a lot of hair when I comb it and the top is getting very thin on the top of head into my crown. I have been trying to lose weight which has be 20 lbs. in the last few months. i know I am not eating a well balanced diet, but I do take a daily vitamin and biotin. What should I do???
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Answered by Dr. Souvik Adhikari (1 hour later)
Brief Answer: Hair Loss Detailed Answer: Hello, There can be a lot of causes for your hair loss from your medical history and your age and one of them would be the medications you take especially the antidepressants. Another cause might be menopause when the hormone DHT exerts more effect on the scalp hairs and cause progressive thinning. Amongst nutrition, it would be wise to have a look at your serum iron level as a deficiency in that can cause hair loss. Also, you have not mentioned whether you have been checked for hypothyroidism or not. To manage your condition, I would recommend the following: 1. Get evaluated for hypothyroidism and serum iron. 2. Eat green leafy vegetables and products like dates which have a high irn content. 3. Talk to your physician about the use of Minoxidil. This needs to be applied locally to your scalp on a daily basis and this opposes the action of the DHT. However, hypotension is a side effect and since you are already on antihypertenisves it would be wise to consult your physician before instituting treatment with this. However, this solution works wonders and you would see results within a few months of starting treatment. Hope my answer helps. Have a great day!! Dr. Souvik Adhikari Plastic Surgeon
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Souvik Adhikari

Cosmetic & Plastic Surgeon

Practicing since :2000

Answered : 249 Questions

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What Causes Hair Loss?

Brief Answer: Hair Loss Detailed Answer: Hello, There can be a lot of causes for your hair loss from your medical history and your age and one of them would be the medications you take especially the antidepressants. Another cause might be menopause when the hormone DHT exerts more effect on the scalp hairs and cause progressive thinning. Amongst nutrition, it would be wise to have a look at your serum iron level as a deficiency in that can cause hair loss. Also, you have not mentioned whether you have been checked for hypothyroidism or not. To manage your condition, I would recommend the following: 1. Get evaluated for hypothyroidism and serum iron. 2. Eat green leafy vegetables and products like dates which have a high irn content. 3. Talk to your physician about the use of Minoxidil. This needs to be applied locally to your scalp on a daily basis and this opposes the action of the DHT. However, hypotension is a side effect and since you are already on antihypertenisves it would be wise to consult your physician before instituting treatment with this. However, this solution works wonders and you would see results within a few months of starting treatment. Hope my answer helps. Have a great day!! Dr. Souvik Adhikari Plastic Surgeon