Scared i'm going bald

by Lisa
(New York)

I was diagnosed with premature ovarian failure from Fragile X two years ago at 36 after irregular periods. I never had a problem with my long & thick hair. My last period was Feb 2010 (estrodial 144) and in March (for the first time) I started having severe menopausal symptoms (estrodial 7.8). I went on Vivelle Patch on April 5 and in the last month have lost 1/3 of my hair and have burning scalp syndrome.

I don't know what caused the TE. My estrogen crash or the HRT. My DR who is a hair/hormonal specialist states it’s the estrogen deficiency. When I mentioned that Vivelle is on the list of medicines that cause hair loss. He states that’s its class labelling (all estrogens state that).

All my other symptoms went away and I feel great except the depression and panic attacks from my hair loss. (I would rather have my hair) My Dermatologist thinks it’s a coincidence as well. I panicked went off for a day and I swear I’m addicted to the estrogen.

My symptoms were 10x worse and my head was on fire. The estrogen mostly numbs the scalp. My Dr. says give it time that the shedding will stop (takes 2-3 months) because estrogen makes hair grow. Will my hair grow or will I have chronic TE from the HRT. I don’t know what to do...help. I also read that a low Ferritin level (mine 18) can cause hair loss. God, I’m a mess…