Letter: Telogen Effluvium Secondary to Starvation Diet

A 47-year-old male experienced significant hair loss after losing 37 kg in 6 months on a low-carb diet and started taking biotin, zinc, iron, selenium, and spectral dcn-n. Replies suggest that while carbs are not directly needed for hair growth, they help regulate hormones and nutrient absorption, and rapid weight loss can also contribute to hair loss.

Creatine is unlikely to cause hair loss as it does not raise DHT levels. Hair loss is more likely due to genetics, medications, or lifestyle changes.

The user experienced hair thinning from chromium and alpha lipoic acid supplements, which stopped after discontinuing them. Someone mentioned this could be telogen effluvium, a temporary condition.

A user shared their experience with telogen effluvium triggered by a keratin treatment, leading to significant hair loss. They found improvement using aloe vera with rosemary, a protein and iron-rich diet, and patience.

A 21-year-old male diagnosed with telogen effluvium and male pattern baldness started oral finasteride, which initially slowed hair loss and slightly thickened hair, but experienced increased shedding after surgery. The doctor recommended iron and vitamin D supplements, and the user is seeking additional advice.

The user has been losing hair for over two years despite taking dutasteride and RU58841, even increasing dutasteride to 2.5mg. They are questioning if their hair loss could be due to telogen effluvium instead.