Hair loss and Tamoxifen

[jcg]

I was put on Tamoxifen in March 2001 after being diagnowed with stage 0 breast cancer.  I was then almost 48 years old. After 1 year, due to 50% plus hair loss, my doctor took me off the medication.  Now almost 4 months later, my hair is still falling out as much as it was when I was on the medication. My dermatologist, who says 50 to 100 hairs lost a day is normal.  She had me do a hair count.  I am losing between 200 and 450 hairs on any given day by 8:30 in the morning. I have reduced my shampoos to every three days.  Shouldn't the Tamoxifen be out of my system by now?  Or had it already damaged the hair roots? Should I expect the hair loss to stop?  If so when?  Will my hair most likely start to grow back?  If so when? This is very depressing. I'll need a wig soon.

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear jcg: Hair loss occurs in 1-5% of women taking tamoxifen.  However, it is not uncommon for some women going through menopause to also experience some hair loss - this can be genetic.  The tamoxifen should be out of your system at this point.  You are also at the age where menopause is common.  You might check with your dermatologist to see if there is a specialist in female alopecia that can determine the cause of your hair loss.  He/she may also be able to recommend treatments that may be helpful.  For example, there are some treatments, such as laser treatment that may be helpful.

[lij]

I started tamoxifen in Jan 02 after lumpectomy Dec 29,01 and by mid Feb. found my hair so thin I could not pin it up any more--my hair was hip-length and had not been cut in 40 years.  i am 62.  I had to have it cut short and it still looks pitifully thin to me, esp. on crown.  Plus now I have to mess with hair styling, curling, etc. that I had been freed from for many years!
lij

[leeme]

A related discussion, How long hair loss from Tamoxifen? was started.