Will my hair grown back?

[hieverybody]

I've been on 6-mp (Mercaptopurine) for a year and only recently in the last couple of weeks have I experienced drastic hair thinning and it is becoming increasingly harder to cope with. I'm starting to notice tiny bald spots around the front and top of my head where hair used to grow fine just a couple of months ago. When I wet my hair I can for the first time in my life see my scalp and styling has gone from making my hair look good to hiding the bald spots that expose my scalp. I'm in general good health (symptom free) and have been for many years.

All I want to know is if my hair loss is likely to go on if I continue with the drug or will I have to stop taking the drug for my hair to grow back out again? I've been searching the internet for answers with no avail. Does anyone have experience with, or know about, discontinuing the drug and then see their hair grow back normal? I understand that I need to make these decisions in consultation with my doctor, but right now my biggest worry is about whether or not the hair grows back after the use of the drug has been discontinued. Knowing this would ease my mind.

I'm grateful for the help!

 

[Jo-mom]

Okay quick question - what is your age and are you male or female? Was it a gradual loss since taking the drug or more of late?

 

[LuckyD]

I know that for most of us with IBD, hair loss tends to happen a few months after recovering from a flare. But since you mentioned you have been in good health, it could be a variety of other things causing this. Early on in my diagnosis with UC last year, I came across this video explaining hair loss in IBD patients (Telogen effluvium). There's a list of possible things that could cause this such as: recovering from a flare, anemia, weight loss, anesthesia, etc. In some few cases, medications can cause hair loss.



I would encourage you to talk to your GI if none of the things mentioned in the video is something that's happened to you. You can always get seen by a dermatologist to rule out other conditions.

I too experienced hair loss at one point and was seen by a dermatologist after mentioning it to my GI. In my case, my hair loss was associated with me recovering from a flare, weight loss and anemia. Again, all things associated with IBD. Once my UC was under control and I was in better health, my hair grew back.

 

[StanlyCooper]

If I were you, I would have turned to a trichologist or at least to a therapist.

try oil warming masks in order to disperse the blood in the scalp and thus speed up the growth of new hairs. Look for a set of hair shampoos and conditioners. They will be able to restore and prevent hair brittleness (so that those that already exist do not deteriorate)

 

[Carabop]

I also had bad hair loss. Mine was due to very low iron. I had 2 iron infusions and the hair loss is gone. I would ask the doctor about your iron levels.

 

[StanlyCooper]

yes, Carabop is right