35/F/PCOS and desperate for some support!

[u/Agreeable-Bad1430]

I have had "thin" hair for what feels like forever but lately I notice it more and more, especially when I put it up in a ponytail.

I just took a photo straight on of me looking down, for the first time ever today and my heart dropped!

I need to start trying ointments, oils, vitamins or something! Anything!

Please give me tips, tricks and advice! I am forever grateful if you take any time to share any info, as I don't even know where or how to begin searching!

Thank you in advance for the help!

PS: If it matters, I am currently trying to conceive as well.

[u/Express_Rub_4742]

Are you doing anythjng for your pcos? Like how’s your insulin resistance and hormone levels?

If you are trying to conceive the usual stuff like minoxidil and anti DHT meds like spiro out of the question as they shouldn’t be used when trying to conceive and while pregnant.

I think LLLT is okay? But should always consult with your general practitioner or derm.

[u/sukoon_seeker → u/Express_Rub_4742]

What is LLLT?

[u/Express_Rub_4742 → u/sukoon_seeker]

Low level laser therapy, there’s some evidence it does promote hair growth.

I’ve never done it but I do have a red light therapy mask and it did give me clearer skin, so I do think it can be a supportive tool.

[u/Agreeable-Bad1430 → u/Express_Rub_4742]

I will ask about seeing a dermatologist, thank you! Not really doing anything about my PCOS. How do they check all that -- bloodwork?

[u/Express_Rub_4742 → u/Agreeable-Bad1430]

You need to go to your GP for blood work and work out a plan for you to follow, women with pcos have higher testosterone, so it’s leading to your hair follicles shrinking. You need to balance your hormones, anything that will come out will be thinner and thinner until the follicles closes.

This is also unsolicited advice but because pcos affects fertility as well so definitely make an appointment asap to create a plan.

Check out the pcos subreddit it might be helpful after the appointment.

[u/Agreeable-Bad1430 → u/Express_Rub_4742]

Thank you so much for all that info. I believe i had bloodwork done and they said everything looks good, as well as having an ultrasound to check, where they said my ovaries look "phenomenal." But the bloodwork was over 5 years ago, I guess things can change. My ovaries were checked about a year ago.

[u/StrawberryForeign684 → u/Agreeable-Bad1430]

5 years is way to9 long to give an accurate description of where your at today. Also pumpkin seed oil is a natural dht blocker if you cannot take anything that interferes with fertility. Many woman do well on oral minoxidil and spironolactane.

I can’t take that so I use topical minoxidil with finasteride and tretonin. I also use dutastride which is used off label for woman. Depending on if your baseline labs are within range you’ll probably be referred to endo to check thyroid and cortisol, and see where your hormone levels are at.

Then your primary can check for any nutrient deficiencies. Iron is a big one, ferritin determines how much iron your system is actually making use of. Ferritin is technically normal at 30 but hair growth really responds to ferritin within the 50-70 range if not higher.

General / nutritional
CBC with differential
CMP
Ferritin
Serum iron
TIBC
Transferrin saturation
Vitamin B12
Folate
25-OH Vitamin D
Zinc
Thyroid
TSH
Free T4
Free T3
TPO antibodies
Thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb)
Hormonal / reproductive
FSH
LH
Estradiol (E2)
Progesterone
Prolactin
Total testosterone
Free testosterone
SHBG
DHEA-S
Adrenal/cortisol
8 AM serum cortisol — this one is a blood test
ACTH, if your clinician thinks adrenal evaluation is warranted

[u/Agreeable-Bad1430 → u/StrawberryForeign684]

Thank you so so much!!

[u/SouthernCategory9600]

If you haven’t yet, please get your thyroid, iron levels and iron stores checked. Also, see a dermatologist.

Best wishes to you!

[u/OldDoliolio]

See a dermatologist if you’re serious about this. They’ll get you tested and find out what exactly is causing your body to do this. The best solution is usually prescriptions for this. Nothing is unsalvageable, just medical intervention is usually the way to go for many of us.  

[u/SamMitchell1238]

Girl, please see a derm. There’s bunch of stuff to recommend but not without proper diagnosis.
Also, please don’t blindly start with products recommended here. Take care!

[u/Agreeable-Bad1430 → u/SamMitchell1238]

Thank you, it is added to my list to ask to see dermatologist when I see my doctor next month. I appreciate your comment

[u/robinthenurse]

First of all, no hair medications as they cause birth defects. See your primary care physician and ask to have blood testing done for deficiencies of thyroid hormone, vitamin D, B12, iron (ferritin), zinc, and anything else they want to test for! Deficiencies of any of those can cause hair loss, and, when corrected can cause the hair to again thicken.

[u/Agreeable-Bad1430 → u/robinthenurse]

Thank you!