telogen effuvium

Telogen Effluvium

Telogen effluvium is a form of hair loss that can result from multiple conditions including anemia (low blood count), low iron, inadequate levels of protein in the diet, thyroid disease, childbirth, major surgery, severe illness, medications and birth control pills. Generally, once the body feels the insult, hair begins to shed over the entire scalp. This is because the insult causes the hairs to switch from the growth phase to the resting phase of the hair cycle. Some individuals will notice large amounts of hair coming out in their hairbrushes, in the shower or on their pillow. The normal shedding of hair generally increases from 100 to 150 hairs daily to almost 500 hairs. However, once the insult has been withdrawn from the body, the hair loss should resolve within 6 to 12 months. Low blood count (anemia) - Patients with anemia due to excessive bleeding, low blood iron or insufficient red blood cell production tend to develop telogen effluvium. Some people don't have enough iron in their diets or may not fully absorb iron. Women who have heavy menstrual periods may develop iron deficiency. Low iron can be detected by laboratory tests and can be corrected by taking iron supplements. The cause of low blood count should be fully investigated and treated. Once the iron deficiency or low blood count is diagnosed and treated, the hair loss should resolve. Inadequate Protein in Diet - Some people, especially those who go on crash diets that are low in protein, have severely abnormal eating habits, or protein malnutrition in the intestine can experience telogen effluvium. The body will attempt to conserve protein by shifting growing hairs into the resting phase. Massive hair shedding can occur two to three months later, when hair can be pulled out at the roots fairly easily. This condition can be reversed and prevented by eating the proper amount of protein. Thyroid Disease - Either an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) or an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can cause hair loss in men and women. A physician can easily assess thyroid levels through laboratory testing. Hair loss associated with thyroid disease can be reversed with proper treatment. Childbirth – When a woman is pregnant, most of her hairs are in the growth phase. However, after delivery, many hairs enter the resting phase of the hair cycle. This will result in dramatic shedding that can cause thinning hair over the entire scalp. The hair loss can last three to six months, but usually resolves completely in most cases. Severe illness and Major Surgery - Illnesses or major surgery can cause hairs to enter the resting phase. Three to four months after a high fever, severe illness, infection or major surgery, a massive shed of over 250 hairs will occur. This shedding usually corrects itself within six to 12 months. Medications - Some prescription drugs may cause temporary hair shedding. Examples include some of the medicines used for the following: pain (aspirin or ibuprofen), depression, birth control pills, irregular heart beat, high blood pressure, or blood thinning. High doses of vitamin A or Accutane may also cause hair shedding. Birth Control Pills – Certain birth control pills may result in hair loss in women whom are susceptible to female pattern hair loss. This can usually be corrected by switching birth control pills by the physician. Female hair loss may also occur once a woman stops using oral contraceptives. This may continue for six months following the discontinuation of the medication.