HCG and Hair Loss

[HappyChick]

Has anyone here experienced significant hair loss beginning at 4-6 weeks after your last dose, on any round?

I've been reading some horror stories. My take is that it can happen on any low calorie diet- but, it seems fairly prevalent with folks who have completed a second round of HCG, both Rx and hhCG.

I Googled HCG and Hair Loss.. pretty scary stuff!!

Please share!

[shelbyla]

It does happen with any extreme diet (take it from a veteran low-fat, low-carb, low calorie dieter!), not just hcg. I had it happen after both, and right around that timeframe. It takes a while for a diet to impact hair. I didn't have any loss on hcg but I take 15,000mg of biotin per day, in capsule form to prevent it. My hair dresser has told me that she has never seen my hair this healthy.

[manders]

I've been thinking about taking a supplement for my hair... I think I will now.

[HappyChick]

Originally Posted by manders

I've been thinking about taking a supplement for my hair... I think I will now.

Me, too!

I'm an avid faster and generally do an all-water fast at least once or twice a year- in all these years, I've never had an issue. I hope that still holds true this year. I mean, you can't get any more low-cal than all-water for 21 days, right?

Reading those stories scared the bajeebies out of me- people are talking about losing up to 60% of their hair or losing entire patches to baldness. None said it was permanent but some said it took 2-3 years to recover.

thanks for the biotin tip, Shelby- I think I'll add it, jic!!

[katiesmemaw]

Hi there,
Yes, I had the same issues with hair loss. It has taken me several months to begin to have stronger hair. I've always had thin, fine hair and I have done 3 rounds of hcg. The last time I began to get really concerned. Thanks to Shelbyla I got Biotin(capsule form) and I also bought Biotin shampoo. That has helped. Good luck.

[junkn]

well this scares me! so i went to the vitamin shoppe to look for biotin and theres the MG and MCG. which one is a good one to take?

or can you just give the name of what you take? thanks!

[shelbyla]

Junkn - the only difference in MG and MCG is that one is measured in milligrams (MG) and one in micrograms (MCG). 5MG = 5000MCG. I recommend a 5000 MCG or 5MG capsule, 3x per day. I usually do 2 in the morning with my other B vitamins and 1 at night. It's important to get the capsules even if they cost more--tablets absolutely do not absorb as well. Also, "hair vitamins" usually do not have anywhere near the biotin that you need, regardless of the RDA listed. I'd go with straight biotin.

[canadiandina]

Originally Posted by shelbyla

Junkn - the only difference in MG and MCG is that one is measured in milligrams (MG) and one in micrograms (MCG). 5MG = 5000MCG. I recommend a 5000 MCG or 5MG capsule, 3x per day. I usually do 2 in the morning with my other B vitamins and 1 at night. It's important to get the capsules even if they cost more--tablets absolutely do not absorb as well. Also, "hair vitamins" usually do not have anywhere near the biotin that you need, regardless of the RDA listed. I'd go with straight biotin.

damn! i bought tablets...and they are only 250 mcg each!
where did you buy yours from?

[shelbyla]

I can't say on here as it's against TOS (Netrition sells vitamins) but google Biotin 5000 and you'll find loads of sources.

[Reddy]

Oh I hope not! I didn't notice if with round one but I will be doing a second round so I am nervous now.

I just finally grew back the hair I lost from having my son and I do NOT want to go through that again. Maybe I'll start taking biotin too!

[verbqueen]

Just chiming in with some anecdotal evidence--I've done many rounds of hcg, and never experienced any hair loss at all. I do eat more protein than is typically allowed, so maybe that helped. Anyway, just wanted to note that hair loss is not inevitable.

[keepingcupsfull]

After my fourth round is when I started with the hair loss. I have a lot of hair so it could have started sooner and I didn't notice it. I now take the Biotin as suggested. My doc said was probably do to low calorie diet. I will continue taking Biotin to see if it helps. It's only been 2weeks so I can't say if it's helping or not. I joke with my Mom who is bald due to chemo that it's sympath hair loss.

Bee

[Sleepy]

take biotin & silica it definately helps
i switched to the 800 cal plan and hairloss completely stopped
was losing a TON on the 500

[Kiley2801]

Originally Posted by verbqueen

Just chiming in with some anecdotal evidence--I've done many rounds of hcg, and never experienced any hair loss at all. I do eat more protein than is typically allowed, so maybe that helped. Anyway, just wanted to note that hair loss is not inevitable.

Yep, no hair loss here either. Ok I've only done one "real" round, but I did not experience any hair issues (and I HAVE undergone hair loss problems in the past so I was really worried!)

I too ate a bit more protein (4 oz instead of 3.5 per meal) and I am vigilant about my supplements! I take a Multi, Vit D, Biotin, and mag/calcium every single day. That may be slightly "rogue" but it's well worth it in my opinion, and for my body/hair.

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by verbqueen

Just chiming in with some anecdotal evidence--I've done many rounds of hcg, and never experienced any hair loss at all. I do eat more protein than is typically allowed, so maybe that helped. Anyway, just wanted to note that hair loss is not inevitable.

I have done hcg for 3 years (not straight, I have taken the breaks ) and no hair loss here either. I also have hypothyroidism and don't notice hair loss from that either. I don't take the biotin. Maybe I just have good genes????

Oh, and I don't do any extra protein. I am a protocol girl through and through and stick with the list Dr Simeons gave us.

[junkn]

Originally Posted by junkn

well this scares me! so i went to the vitamin shoppe to look for biotin and theres the MG and MCG. which one is a good one to take?

or can you just give the name of what you take? thanks!

so i started taking biotin once i read this and wow! what a difference. you can totally tell by my nails which have grown very long. my hair is also thicker- my hubby noticed. i have really long hair- like down to my butt (but not cause of biotin)

but it is thicker because of it. thanks for the info! i love this place!