Hair loss
From MEpedia, a crowd-sourced encyclopedia of ME and CFS science and history
Hair loss is a symptom that occurs occasionally in ME/CFS. It can also be a symptom of comorbid illnesses such as hypothyroidism or systemic lupus erythematosus. Hair loss can occur either in patches (alopecia areata), or, more commonly, as a general thinning across the head.[1]
Prevalence[edit | edit source]
The Canadian Consensus Criteria recognizes hair loss as a neuroendocrine system symptom in ME/CFS.
Katrina Berne reports a prevalence of 20-35% for hair loss.[2]
Potential causes[edit | edit source]
- Endocrine changes
- Medication side effect (e.g. DHEA, Ampligen, Elmiron)
- Lysine deficiency
- Excessive Vitamin A intake
- Excessive selenium intake
- Increase in stress hormones[1]
Potential treatments[edit | edit source]
- Treatment of comorbid illnesses such as hypothyroidism or systemic lupus erythematosus
- Avoidance of harsh hair products
- B vitamins
- Coenzyme Q10
- Ginkgo biloba
- Inositol[1]
Learn more[edit | edit source]
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Erica Verrillo (September 14, 2012), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Treatment Guide, 2nd Edition (Kindle eBook)
- ↑ Berne, Katrina (December 1, 1995), Running on Empty: The Complete Guide to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFIDS), 2nd ed., Hunter House, p. 58, ISBN 978-0897931915