Hair Loss and MAC

Interesting topic, hair loss. Did you know it can happen with many different illnesses or conditions? Not only did I lose hair when very ill with MAC, and later even a little more from the antibiotics, but I also lost my hair years ago when I had heavy metal poisoning. And during/after pregnancy. And after 3 major surgeries in one year. And when I had Graves Disease (hyperthyroidism.)
Each of these also caused me to have weak or easily broken fingernails and toenails. And dry, delicate skin.
It seems that the body will automatically shut down nourishment to less-essential systems to send it to more critical places.
Sue

How did you get over hyperthyroidism? Also I would think any chronic infection would make you lose hair...

The endocrinologist believes mine was caused by the heavy metals in my body, I was treated with the usual med to calm it down. As the heavy metals left, the thyroid healed. That was fortunate, because I was headed for radiation to kill the thyroid - we had to delay it for some reason, and 2 months later my tests started to normalize just after my metal tests returned to the normal range.

It is still monitored with bloodwork every three months, because I understand it can return.
Sue

That's interesting. I have read about that. I sometimes wonder, too, if the hair dye (which I sometimes use) can cause it. It's tough to know how much it is related to Mac itself, prescriptions, other environmental factors, and so on. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Before being diagnosed with MAC and bronchiecstasis, I was taking nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) supplements. It is a natural product, an immune booster by way of DNA repair. Also some evidence of anti-aging AND hair growth. Boby builders have been using it for years. My biochemist daughter researched NMN and its manufacture in depth, recommended MAAC10 brand (for purity), and now our whole family uses it. We all have grown an astonishing new crop of black hair even though we all had medium to light-brown hair when younger. Dose: 50mg per 50 pounds of body weight. I divide dose, first thing in morning, and just before bed on empty stomach. I'm 84 by the way, survivor not only of a serious MAC infection but also of breast and endometrial cancer. I'm convinced NMN has something to do with my still being alive and in surprisingly good health, even without chemo and inhalers and antibiotics (I'm hypersensitive to chemicals). Every body is unique in some respects, so this is NOT a blanket endorsement, but it might be worth it to research on your own.

Mine had nothing to do with hair dye or the environment. I had metallosis - chromium and cobalt poisoning from deteriorated metal-on-metal hip implants. This was a huge problem in the U.S., Europe and Great Britain in the early 2000's. Fortunately they are no longer used.
Sue

Before being diagnosed with MAC and bronchiecstasis, I was taking nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) supplements. It is a natural product, an immune booster by way of DNA repair. Also some evidence of anti-aging AND hair growth. Boby builders have been using it for years. My biochemist daughter researched NMN and its manufacture in depth, recommended MAAC10 brand (for purity), and now our whole family uses it. We all have grown an astonishing new crop of black hair even though we all had medium to light-brown hair when younger. Dose: 50mg per 50 pounds of body weight. I divide dose, first thing in morning, and just before bed on empty stomach. I'm 84 by the way, survivor not only of a serious MAC infection but also of breast and endometrial cancer. I'm convinced NMN has something to do with my still being alive and in surprisingly good health, even without chemo and inhalers and antibiotics (I'm hypersensitive to chemicals). Every body is unique in some respects, so this is NOT a blanket endorsement, but it might be worth it to research on your own.

Hi, I have just been diagnosed with Mac/Bronchiastisis and my Dr. wants me to start the Big 3, Azithromcyin, Rifampin and Ethambutol. I'm to take them all at once, Mon, Wed and Friday. I had asked to be able to start one at a time, maybe a week or two apart to see if I experience any side effects and they told me no. No mention of Amikacin. How are you taking the meds? Thank you.