r/FemaleHairLoss

Long time member here. I have albums of my scalp and diffuse thinning over the last few years.

A few years ago, I started experiencing cold intolerance, fatigue and lost almost all my body hair. I started minoxidil (somewhat inconsistently for years).

In 2024, went to the doctor but my TSH was “within range”. She didn’t test anything else for my thyroid… three years later, my fatigue, cold intolerance, dry skin and hair thinning was getting worse. Just over a month ago, Went back and requested a full panel; b12, ferritin, CBC, TSH etc.

This time, my TSH came back at 22 (high). We did additional testing and my TPOab was 136 (high), with low Free t4. My ferritin while normal is not optimal, 46. And b12 is at 283 (not optimal). I am
Now working with a naturopath for a structured supplement routine to complement my levothyroxine meds.

Now been almost one month on Levothyroxine (75mcg), consistently taking, daily hair wash (with Nizoral one time weekly), daily minoxidil for the last 8 weeks, plus added dermastamp at 0.75 mm 1x every 1-2 weeks. Added in supplementation in the last three weeks.

I feel like this is a major difference.

TLDR: get your bloodwork, no amount of topicals will address internal deficiencies.

I have peach fuzz growing all over my face. If you were me, would you leave it like that or shave it?

I’ve always had long thick lashes, but I do feel like OM has made them thicker than ever! On the flip side my nose hairs are atrocious, and I have to shave the peach-fuzz from my face every week or so

I was diagnosed with AGA and have been using topical minoxidil 5% for about 6 months now. About 2 weeks ago, after my 6-month follow-up with my dermatologist, I started using a compounded topical min/fin/tret solution.
I also had low ferritin (35) and vitamin D (27) back in April. After taking iron supplements, they’re now at 165 and 44, respectively.
I’ve also incorporated caffeine shampoo and Nizoral into my routine. I’m a little scared/nervous to start microneedling, though.
But do you guys see any improvement? I do feel like I see a little progress! I’m just not sure if it’s actually progress or if it’s the lighting. 😅
The April photo was taken by me, and all the others were taken by my spouse.
Thank you all!

Context: Over the past 4 years, my hair has gradually gotten thinner until I finally found the courage to take pictures of my scalp and realized that I could actually SEE my scalp and that I was starting to bald.
I had some bloodwork done, and I found out that I have a vitamin D3 deficiency. My ferritin is at 73.5, which is good, and the rest of the relevant blood tests also came back normal. This led to a diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia.
I’m now using Rogaine 5% minoxidil foam, and as supplements I take 4,000 IU of vitamin D, one capsule of saw palmetto, one capsule of myo-inositol + selenium, and one pumpkin seed oil capsule.
I also use a shampoo aimed at improving hair density, and I recently bought the serum and shampoo from the Pantene grow abundant range, but at this point I can’t say whether I’ve noticed any significant difference from them yet.
The first picture was taken in August, and considering it’s only been 2 months, I do think there has been some progress.
If you have any tips and tricks, I’d be more than happy to hear them! ❤️

Just wanted to share my progress with topical minoxidil. My hair loss started and accelerated during a period of addiction and recovery (whoo hoo!). These photos are a year apart (oct 2024 to Oct 2025) and I should probably post a new one too! I use the generic from Costco.

I dunno who needs to hear this but take your vitamin d deficiency srs. I had bad hair loss on sides of head and have been taking vitamin d, k2, calcium, magnesium and noticed way less shedding and many bby hairs. You may need to take more if you are deficient!!!

Hey everyone, I started noticing how much im thinning on the top of my head about a year ago. I though it wouldn't get at this point but I think it has to do something with my mental illness. I've been seeking therapy and my therapist noticed that I get severe mood swings before my period, even getting diagnosed with depression. I visited a doctor's office and he just decided that a good path for me was either antidepressants or birth control. Any advice or testimonies on either? Thank you

I am Native American and Hispanic and come from a family with extremely thick hair and no known history of hair loss. I had exceptionally thick, dense hair my entire life. Even in my 20s, when my ferritin was as low as 13, my hair remained incredibly thick. What is happening now is a dramatic change from my lifelong baseline.

In 2023, I was not chronically ill, but I went through three surgeries and severe acute medical complications, including sepsis and an ICU stay. Then in 2024 I experienced extraordinary physical trauma, including approximately 12 episodes where I died/required resuscitation. This is around when my hair loss began.

The loss continued through 2025–26. During the same period, my ovarian function deteriorated significantly, and at only 35 I was diagnosed with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI). I am now treating the POI with hormone replacement therapy.

I have had an extensive medical workup. Thyroid disease, cortisol/adrenal abnormalities, and other nutritional or systemic deficiencies have been ruled out—many of these have been checked over three times. My blood work is otherwise normal except for mildly low ferritin, which I am actively working on.

I’ve been actively treating my hair loss for seven months with topical minoxidil/finasteride and for three months with dutasteride. I cannot tolerate oral minoxidil or spironolactone because of systemic side effects.

I work in the electrical trade, wake up around 4 a.m., and work around electrical systems and construction hazards. I have to remain completely alert, so medications that cause dizziness, hypotension, fatigue, insomnia, or brain fog aren’t viable options. I also have to wear a hard hat most of the day, which makes dealing with the thinning even harder.

Emotionally, this has been devastating. I’m beginning electrical apprenticeship classes with mostly men in their 20s, and I’m extremely self-conscious about taking my hard hat off and having my scalp visible under bright classroom lighting.

After everything my body has survived, watching hair that was once extraordinarily thick disappear has been incredibly difficult. Between the hair loss, POI diagnosis at 35, a demanding new career, and limited treatment options, I’m exhausted and depressed, and some days I feel like giving up on all of it.

I want to understand why I’ve lost so much hair compared with my lifelong baseline, whether my follicles are still capable of recovering, and what realistic treatment options remain when oral minoxidil and spironolactone aren’t viable for me.

I’ve seen three dermatologists about this. I cannot do micro needling either. I have seen no improvement in this short time and this is only getting worse.

As a result of maybe my age and/or losing weight from glp-1 meds I have lost a lot of my hair in the past few months.

Doctor put me on 2.5 mg of oral Minoxidil. I just got done reading about side effects and am actually very nervous to start.

I read it can cause rapid weight gain due to water retention and I read one post where someone said it ruined their life 😬

I guess I just want to hear from people that do not regret it and/or female experiences with it.

Oral minoxidil 1.25mg for 2 months. Do you think there’s been any progress?