Loosing hair on scalp and eyebrows but...

[Lillabet]

Dear Doctor, I am loosing scalp hair all over but mostly on my left side there is a developing 6" area which never grows back normally!  Is it because I sleep on my left side,just aging or a possible disorder?

My eyebrows are so scraggly, sparce and the end part has completely disappeared! I always had a full head of hair and other hairy areas so much that my father use to call me his little monkey! Pathetic! However,I am trying to grow in some hair (without the usual plucking to make it look better) so I have something to work with as far as "hair" but I still need to add the end part with powder! It just doesn't grow! I do not over pluck my eyebrows! What can cause the loss of the end part of eyebrow hair and be sparce in the front? Of course, the hair grows in places other than you want them to, like the chin!

My eyelashes are sparce but started out with full lashes as a younger person up to age 50; however, there are spaces on the lower lashes which never seem to come back in! Do they at my age? I am now "55"!!!! Look younger than 55 years; about 10yrs!  I am not a vain person but I do not know how to correct these issues and/or for how long should I do it? I am a believer of aging gracefully but what is gracefully?  Is there a disorder that has these symptoms such as hypothyroid, post-menopausal effects, just aging?  Please respond as to your opinion.  Thank you! (E)

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Elizabeth Jane:

From your description, I really can't tell whether what you have is just the thinning which often comes with age, or whether you have a hair or even a hormone problem (such as thyroid.)

The actual frequency of hormone imbalances causing hair loss is very low, but I think a visit to your dermatologist would very likely clear up your questions with just an examination and a few simple tests.  That way you'll know whether you're aging, gracefully or otherwise.

Best wishes.

Dr. R

[Maxine]

I just had a complete blood test done yesterday because adult-set diabetes and hypothyroidism runs in my family.  The doc said one of the signs of hypothyroidism is hair loss “including” the ends of the eyebrows.  I don’t have hair loss but I thought I had other symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite, inability to tolerate cold, weight gain, muscle weakness, constipation, etc. etc.  My tests were normal but it made me feel better to know than to worry about it.  I also read that allergies, contact allergies to eye makeup, certain drugs, and poor diet can cause eyelashes to fall out.  It recommended 50,000 IU daily of Vitamin A, 50-100 mg daily of Vitamin B complex, Vitamin B2 as directed, Vitamin B3 as directed, and 2 tbsp daily of Brewer's yeast.  It also said to gently rub castor oil, linseed oil, or vitamin E oil on your eyelashes and into your eyelids at bedtime.  It’s supposed to help thicken the lashes and promote normal growth.  It didn't say how long to do this but it couldn't hurt to try.  Mine are thinning slowly, probably from makeup so I tried the vitamin E oil.  It wasn't bad but I kept forgetting to use it so I can't say whether this works or not, sorry... but I hope it works for you.  Take care.

[Elizabeth]

Thank you, Maxine! I will try your remedies!! I was dx as having borderline HYPOthyroidism in 1990 but myprimary doesnot check it! I guess it is up tome to inforce this test??!! Thank you again and tothe doctor as wel!!  E