Hair Loss on hydroxyurea: Any experience with hair loss products?

Posted by juelie @juelie, Mar 21 8:57am

I have been on hydroxyurea for about 4 years. The only side effect I have is hair loss. I have talked to both my GP and Hematologist about the risk or value of using products such as Nutrifol or Hers and they are both pretty dismissive. Does anyone have experience with any hair loss products?

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Hola, yo estoy usando minoxidil tópico. Da resultado después de unos meses de uso constante. La mayor dificultad es que si suspende su uso el pelo se vuelve a caer.

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ALOPEXY 50MG/ML | Minoxidil Solution for Moderate Androgenic Alopecia

I use this product which was recommended by a dermatologist. It stops progression, but if you stop using it the loss of hair starts again.

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Profile picture for mcgirene @mcgirene

ALOPEXY 50MG/ML | Minoxidil Solution for Moderate Androgenic Alopecia

I use this product which was recommended by a dermatologist. It stops progression, but if you stop using it the loss of hair starts again.

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@mcgirene. I'm using rosemary oil drops from the pharmacy, the thin area (oddly only on the right side) is filling in. I rub it on and let it absorb for as long as possible before shampooing.

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Profile picture for maine @maine

@mcgirene. I'm using rosemary oil drops from the pharmacy, the thin area (oddly only on the right side) is filling in. I rub it on and let it absorb for as long as possible before shampooing.

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@maine Thanks for this. I'm going to try it!

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I have been on Nutrafol for about 5 years because my hairstylist recommended it. I have always worn my hair short and it does make my hair grow faster but what I’ve found is that it keeps me from having hair loss on a daily basis. Got me it does not necessarily make my hair fuller but keeps me from losing what I have. Plus my nails are so strong on these four daily capsules….

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Interesting. I've lost a lot of hair and it's thin now. Good to know.

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I was told by my hematologist that if I take Biotin it will affect lab “numbers”. And when I did a little research it said that if you take Biotin to discontinue use a couple of weeks before labs.
I decided I couldn’t be bothered but someone else may know more about this.

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Being a laboratory scientist and having worked in hospital laboratories for 38 years, I can say biotin does affect certain lab tests. Depending on the test methodology, it can either falsely lower or elevate your test result by binding to the chemicals/reagents used in testing.
Tests affected are:
Troponin—a test used to help diagnose heart attacks
Thyroid hormone tests, such as thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) tests
Other hormones, such as parathyroid hormone (PTH), cortisol, follicle -stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)
Vitamin D levels
Recommendations are to stop taking biotin supplements at least 72 hours before any blood draws for lab tests.
Hope this helps.

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My hair loss accelerated after the Covid vaccine. I take 10,000 units Biotin daily. I stop the supplement about 3 days before my labs. I also use the Harlikken hair system. I use a Dyson hair dryer to minimize further damage. The shedding has stopped and I have some regrowth. It is a struggle, I must admit.

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Profile picture for petoskeyb @petoskeyb

Being a laboratory scientist and having worked in hospital laboratories for 38 years, I can say biotin does affect certain lab tests. Depending on the test methodology, it can either falsely lower or elevate your test result by binding to the chemicals/reagents used in testing.
Tests affected are:
Troponin—a test used to help diagnose heart attacks
Thyroid hormone tests, such as thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) tests
Other hormones, such as parathyroid hormone (PTH), cortisol, follicle -stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)
Vitamin D levels
Recommendations are to stop taking biotin supplements at least 72 hours before any blood draws for lab tests.
Hope this helps.

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@petoskeyb
Thanks, Petoskeyb. This is an important point—even primary care physicians should keep it in mind before routinely ordering blood tests.
I do have a question: do you have any information about hair loss that can occur when tapering hydrocortisone 20mg in patients with adrenal insufficiency?

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