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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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Mentor
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Mar 29 11:52am
In reply to @petoskeyb "Being a laboratory scientist and having worked in hospital laboratories for 38 years, I can say..." + (show)
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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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Welcome to Connect, @petoskeyb Thank you for sharing the information about how biotin can affect certain lab tests.
Since you’re new to the forum, is there anything special that led you to Connect? Were you diagnosed with a blood cancer?

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petoskeyb | @petoskeyb | Mar 29 5:21pm

My platelet and red cell counts and hematocrit showed an increase last April on my annual physical. Monthly monitoring showed them continuing to increase. I was diagnosed with polycythemia vera in February after having a bone marrow biopsy and aspiration in January. Positive for Jak2. Having a laboratory background is helpful when all the lab results come back!

Currently on 1000 mg hydroxyurea daily, along with 81 mg aspirin. Platelets had started to decrease within the first few weeks of taking HU. Red cells/hct just started to drop with my last blood draw Monday. My oncologist is happy and says no therapeutic phlebotomy needed at the present. She will continue to monitor with blood work and may adjust the dosage.

Working in hospital laboratories all my career, Mayo Clinical Laboratory was often used as our reference lab. I have actually toured their wonderful facilities in connection to my job. My bone marrow testing was sent to Mayo. Being on the hospital patient portal, I was able to view my results as they were released. I have used Mayo’s lab site as a resource when I worked in the hospital laboratory and knew them to be an excellent source of information. Exploring the Mayo Clinic site for disease related information led me to Connect.

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spenjen | @spenjen | Mar 30 8:07am

My physician suggested Nioxcin,ProClinical 2, which I have been using about six months. It is available at Amazon.
It absolutely stopped my hair loss. While it did not regrow lost hair,it has made my remaining hair fuller and healthier as well. With a good haircut, plus this Nioxcin, my hair looks really good once again. As per the post above, I will try the rosemary on the areas needing regrowth. Thanks!

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michanthony12 | @michanthony12 | Mar 31 10:26pm

I don't know exactly how to get the proper information concerning hair thinning and color change due to taking warfarin for blood clots. My hair doesn't turn gray but a golden brown, some places yellow and a dirty beige color, my. Beard isn't gray either, it's a dirty beige color, and often times look yellow. It comes out when I comb it in patches.
I don't know if there's something else to do besides dye it bimonthly
Any suggestions will be helpful.
Thank you

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 11 2:07pm
In reply to @petoskeyb "My platelet and red cell counts and hematocrit showed an increase last April on my annual..." + (show)
Profile picture for petoskeyb @petoskeyb

My platelet and red cell counts and hematocrit showed an increase last April on my annual physical. Monthly monitoring showed them continuing to increase. I was diagnosed with polycythemia vera in February after having a bone marrow biopsy and aspiration in January. Positive for Jak2. Having a laboratory background is helpful when all the lab results come back!

Currently on 1000 mg hydroxyurea daily, along with 81 mg aspirin. Platelets had started to decrease within the first few weeks of taking HU. Red cells/hct just started to drop with my last blood draw Monday. My oncologist is happy and says no therapeutic phlebotomy needed at the present. She will continue to monitor with blood work and may adjust the dosage.

Working in hospital laboratories all my career, Mayo Clinical Laboratory was often used as our reference lab. I have actually toured their wonderful facilities in connection to my job. My bone marrow testing was sent to Mayo. Being on the hospital patient portal, I was able to view my results as they were released. I have used Mayo’s lab site as a resource when I worked in the hospital laboratory and knew them to be an excellent source of information. Exploring the Mayo Clinic site for disease related information led me to Connect.

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@petoskeyb, I add my welcome to @loribmt's. Using the group search, you will find many discussions related to polycythemia vera (PV) that you may wish to join.
- Polycythemia Vera: Just been diagnosed https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/polycythemia-vera-1/

- See all https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/blood-cancers-disorders/

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