Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Noheroicsplease on August 23, 2024, 09:29:08 AM

Title: Has anyone experienced hair shedding using Testogel?
Post by: Noheroicsplease on August 23, 2024, 09:29:08 AM: Historically, I have had periods of Telogen effluvium - hair shedding. Typically, related to low ferritin. My ferritin levels are currently fine, but my hair has been shedding for a couple of months.

I wondered, at first, if it was a reaction to a bereavement but the timing is a bit off.

Then I realised I've been on Testogel for some months, and wondered if it was causing hair shedding?

Has anyone else experienced this? It's not female pattern baldness. It's from all over the head.
Title: Re: Has anyone experienced hair shedding using Testogel?
Post by: bombsh3ll on August 23, 2024, 02:55:31 PM: It is possible, however there are other causes and you're right it doesn't fit the pattern of androgenic alopecia.

Are your other hormone levels optimal eg thyroid, estradiol?

The only way to clarify if it is the testogel is to do a therapeutic dechallenge ie stop taking the testogel and see if it improves, and if so then decide which is more important to you.

I have had frontotemporal alopecia since puberty and I take androgen replacement for health reasons because I have worn wigs for years anyway and choose my quality of life over the possibility of a few more straggly hairs that would probably be grey now anyway 😂

I'm not saying this is going to happen to you in a million years just that it is a legitimate option to prioritise your wellbeing over what others MIGHT think (but probably don't) about your appearance.
Title: Re: Has anyone experienced hair shedding using Testogel?
Post by: joziel on August 23, 2024, 03:55:45 PM: You might want to wait till you get your T levels checked, which you should be doing after being on it for 3 months?

They might be too high and this can cause hairloss. Wait till you get bloods done... and get them done ASAP.
Title: Re: Has anyone experienced hair shedding using Testogel?
Post by: Noheroicsplease on August 23, 2024, 07:43:00 PM: Hi, i had my T levels done and it was fine
Title: Re: Has anyone experienced hair shedding using Testogel?
Post by: joziel on August 23, 2024, 07:51:34 PM: Probably not T then. I'd look into thyroid and ferritin levels...
Title: Re: Has anyone experienced hair shedding using Testogel?
Post by: Noheroicsplease on August 24, 2024, 07:52:56 AM: As I said, my ferritin (and my thyroid) levels are fine.
Title: Re: Has anyone experienced hair shedding using Testogel?
Post by: joziel on August 24, 2024, 11:50:32 AM: What are they? Not being weird, but doctors will tell you that a ferritin of 30 is fine, when really it needs to be over 100....
Title: Re: Has anyone experienced hair shedding using Testogel?
Post by: Noheroicsplease on August 24, 2024, 12:41:10 PM: Honestly, I'm all over the ferritin. Thanks. I know about levels. I've seen consultants in the past.