[pictures taken in May 2025, June 2025, August 2025, October 2025, May 2026]
My hair loss journey began in May 2025, or at least that’s when I noticed it. From December 2024 to January 2025 I had a devastating break from my boyfriend by his initiative. At the time, I was also having challenges with doing my PhD.
I immediately went to a dermatologist who diagnosed it as TE. She suggested full blood panels (thyroid, vitamin D and ferritin). Only ferritin came out really low, only 15. The derm said that ferritin should be at least 70 for normal hair growth. She also looked at my hair with some device and said that there is no miniaturization so she ruled out AGA and other conditions. I remember back then I felt also this pulling and tender feeling in my scalp, which has been associated with TE.
I then went all in and fell into the fear-based marketing traps of hair serums, shampoos, oils, vitamins, silk pillows, bamboo towels and scalp massagers. I started taking iron+vitamin C and even stopped drinking coffee to help with the absorption. I’ve drank coffee since I was 12 so that was a difficult one. I started eating meat also after being vegetarian for 10 years. In December 2025 I went to check my ferritin levels again and I had got it up to 91! I continued going to CBT and tried to relax my life a bit more and be gentle with my hair. I even bought a Dyson air wrap to get some volume in my hair and it has made me really happy.
In May 2026, I’m still shedding but mostly when I brush my hair. I guess the shedding could be described as diffuse thinning. The parting is not as visible as in the beginning and I’ve had baby hair and regrowth since about Autumn 2025. Be that as it may, the regrowth still doesn’t even out all the shedding. I’ve spent countless of hours of studying the differences between AGA and chronic TE. I’m still not sure. I don’t come from a family with great hair either. I used to be the one with nice, though very fine, Nordic hair.
I haven’t used minoxidil nor any other medication. I’m trying to be patient with this gradual progress and hoping the shedding will stop at some point. Honestly don’t know how I still have any hair left. 😅
I’d like to start a family in a couple of years (33F) and I’m afraid that I will lose the rest of my hair if I’m lucky to go through pregnancy and childbirth.
I guess I just wanted to share my journey with others who might have experienced the same. I truly appreciate this community - it’s so lovely knowing that there are other hair loss warriors supporting one another in this painful and mentally damaging experience.
Sending lots of virtual hugs! 🤗 Edit: sorry the title is wrong, automatic correction…