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Unusually dry hair and hairfall

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I'm 30 year old female with no known help problems. About 4 months ago I noticed that my hair was unusually dry and coming out a little more than usual. I didn't worry about it. Over the past two months it's been breaking off and coming out often. Brushing it and washing it causes it to come out worse. I visited my ob/gyn to see if if could be something hormonal. The only abnormalities in my testing were my testoterone was slightly elevated. Everything else was in normal range including my thyroid levels. My tsh was 3.91. Move started taking vitamins and began Lexapro in case it is stress related. What other things could be causing this?

Category: Family Physician-GP

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Category: HIV- AIDS Specialist
 21 Doctors Online

Thanks for your queries at Doctor Spring. There can be a few possibilities for the dry brittle hair that you are describing. Nutritional deficiencies can often cause the hair to become dry and break often. There is a condition called PCOS or polycystic ovarian syndrome that is associated with hormonal imbalances, increased testosterone levels, and hair loss. Consider this diagnosis and discuss with your local physician, preferrably endocrinologist, the possibility of the condition.

You may benefit from combined oral contraceptive pills which can help balance your hormones and treat associated hair loss. In the meantime I suggest the following.

1. Include more good fats in your diet as this can give your hair strength and luster. Incorporate avocados, coconut oil, butter and nuts such as almonds, walnuts etc into your daily meals. Keep a watch for calories however, but understand the importance of a balanced diet. Eggs and other protein rich foods can also strengthen the hair and improve hair quality.
2. Shampooing too often, especially with harsh shampoos can worsen this phenomenon. Try to avoid washing your hair often and only wash once or twice a week using mild organic (sulfate free) shampoos and conditioners.
3. Adequate exercise (along with diet) is an excellent way to manage your hormones, help you sleep better, keep you healthy, and thereby eliminate stress that can worsen your condition.
4. As mentioned above, talk to your endocrinologist about starting ocp's.

The combination of above efforts can help to reduce your hair loss and ease your frustration. Please ask any follow up questions if necessary. Take care.


Dr. Jaydeep Tripathy
Category: HIV- AIDS Specialist
Experience: 
MBBS from Sri Ramachandra University in December 2011
M.Med (Family Medicine) - TNMGR University, Chennai
MBA-MPH in Public Health in March 2016, SRM University
Finished AFIH in March 2016, SRM University
MRCP ( UK ), Internal Medicine, Royal College of Physicians, June 2016
Fellowship in Diabetology from Martin Luther University in January 2017

Currently Resident Physician, in MD Radiodiagnosis - Kamakshi Memorial Hospital, Chennai
Dr. Jaydeep Tripathy and 4 other Medical Specialists are ready to help you

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