Eek! My hair is falling out!

Have u gone to a naturopath dr/ clinic?
Thyroid meds checked?
Cortical levels?

I started Letrozole in December 2020 and am shocked at the amount of hair I am losing. My Care Team never told me about this, and sounded surprised when I mentioned it.... 4.5 more years to go!! Ugh! But grateful to be cancer free!

I have only been on Letrozole for 40 days after trying the anastrazole and exemestane. I have trigger finger really bad now in one thumb and the other thumb is a getting there. Not sure what to do with it. Do I see my GP or my oncologist. I am trying exercises to no avail.

See whomever you get into the soonest! Keep up with the exercises and good luck.

I also have a severe problem with hair loss. i had chemo and loss all hair and have been taking Letrozole for 7 years and will continue another three years. I recently had my Ferritin checked. That is your iron store. The iron/hemoglobin can be fine and the Ferritin low. It is not normally checked so you might need to ask for the test. It is an easy blood test. Solution is over the counter iron tablet. My ferritin was 6 when I started taking iron. Does not take long for it to improve.

Below is some info that I found. A ferritin level below 50 for most women is an indication that supplementation is needed. Increasing ferritin levels to 70 or higher nanograms per milliliter for at least 3 months has shown to be beneficial for hair loss as a result of iron deficiency.

It is hypothesized that the reason ferritin levels need to be up significantly before hair loss stops and regrowth occurs, is because the ferritin in your hair follicle is one of the last places the body is concerned about replenishing. Reduced ferritin in the hair follicle weaken the hair itself and lead to hair loss. Just be sure to also consume enough protein to maintain the infrastructure needed for vibrant hair.

Another option to consider is minoxidil 2.5mg tablet. My oncologist prescribed it. I am taking a half of the 2.5mg. Some people take a whole tablet and are pleased. It is the product that is in Rogaine but in a tablet form so easier to use than the foam/liquid. It is not an overnight cure. I have read it could take a year. I have just started so are waiting for results and will report later.

My best to all the women suffering with hair loss and thinning hair.

Thank you for all the suggestions, I have been on Letrozole for 2 weeks and my hair thickness is half of what it was. Even my hairdresser that cut my hair during the first week on meds can’t believe the loss.
My oncologist’s nurse gave me a few suggestions and I found a few others. Biotin shampoo/conditioner, Rosemary Oil for hair (an ingredient in minoxidil) and that some patients find their body adapts to the medicine in a month or so (some) and the hair loss stops. Prayers for all of you going through BC and treatment!

Thanks for sharing your experience. I hope you do see improvement over time. Do let us know if you see results. Best to you.

@splendrous , I noticed that you wished to post a URL to an article with your post. You will be able to add URLs to your posts in a few days. There is a brief period where new members can't post links. We do this to deter spammers and keep the community safe. Clearly the link you wanted to post is not spam. Please allow me to post it for you:

- Liquid biopsies: Understanding ctDNA and circulating tumor cells - https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/liquid-biopsies--understanding-ctdna-and-circulating-tumor-cells.h00-159463212.html.

My hair was falling out and I started taking vitamin Biotin. Helped a lot no longer have handfuls coming out when brushing my hair.