Hair Loss Update

I came across this picture and laughed. First, Paxton's face. Such a character, that one. I was 6 weeks pregnant when this I took this. I remember thinking how huge I looked.  {{eyeroll}} Twenty-two weeks later, and my perspective has changed drastically.

As for my hair loss update: the problem has been solved and my hair is growing back. Hallelujah!

My initial blood-work showed normal iron levels, but low protein levels. I was put on a high protein diet (80g minimum!), but after a month, the hairloss wasn't improving.  I eventually went to a dermatologist and was told that the trauma of my miscarriage months prior plus the emotional nature of moving to California was the cause, but that it would resolve in three to six months.

I maintained my high protein diet, but something didn't feel right. I knew we were missing something, so I went back to the doctor.  He noticed that although we had checked my iron levels, we hadn't checked my Ferritin levels, or the iron stored in my body. A basic iron test is affected by the foods you've been eating at the time of a blood draw, while a Ferritin test gives a more accurate indicator of iron levels in the blood and body.

As it turns out, I was incredibly anemic. My body was giving EVERYTHING to baby, apparently, which left me with absolutely nothing. My midwife put me on Floradix (a liquid iron supplement) and almost immediately my hair loss stopped. I also felt 1000% more energized.

Good news: Hair loss problem solved.

Good news: Hair is growing back.

Good news: I no longer *have* to go to bed by 7:00 due to exhaustion.

Funny news: I rarely have good hair days. I lost a LOT of hair, and the regrowth is less than attractive. TONS of short hairs protrude from my scalp, too short to lay flat, and with just enough curl to look like a lion's mane.  I was delusional enough to think that I could leave my frizzy hair problems in the humid Texas climate.