Does Diabetes or the Medication Metformin Cause Hair to Thin?
Monday, August 17th, 2009 at
2:21 pm
misty_news asked:
I have type 2 Diabetes and up until about 9 months ago I had really thick, wonderful hair. Now, although it’s not falling out and a faster rate than what is normal, it is getting so thin – not only in the amount of hair I have, but also the actual strands of hair, they seem thinner too.
I noticed this thinning shortly after I started taking 1000 mg of Metformin twice a day for my diabetes.
Has anyone else experienced this?
I have type 2 Diabetes and up until about 9 months ago I had really thick, wonderful hair. Now, although it’s not falling out and a faster rate than what is normal, it is getting so thin – not only in the amount of hair I have, but also the actual strands of hair, they seem thinner too.
I noticed this thinning shortly after I started taking 1000 mg of Metformin twice a day for my diabetes.
Has anyone else experienced this?
Tagged with: Diabetes • Medication • Thick Hair
Filed under: Diabetes
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no medication can cause that
It could be a hormonal imbalance. You need to tell your doctor your concerns.
I experienced it when I had gestational diabetes, which reacts in a similar way to type 2 diabetes. And I was never on any diabetes medications or insulin. I think in some people diabetes causes the hair to fall out. Don’t worry, just keep control of your blood sugars and your hair will stop falling out and will grow back
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Hair loss is not a side effect normally associated with Metformin but you should report the hair loss to your medical practitioner so that the cause can be ascertained.
This is not a common side effect of Metformin (Glucophage). You are still below the recommended daily dosage. Your kidney and intestines (pain) are the first this drug would attack. Other symptoms include tiredness. The only suggestion I have is to look at your intake of adequate vitamins and supplements. Advanced neuropathy may also cause some pain and reduced blood circulation could reduce the proper supply of nutrients to your hair roots. If you are convinced that Metformin causes your trouble, you could get from your physician another prescription, like a combination of Metformin with another type of effective diabetics drug. This could reduce the Metformin dosage you take.
Dr. Nicolas
I looked in my drug book. Hair loss wasn’t a side effect, but it does have a precaution for thyroid problems because it can cause problems with your thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism causes hair loss. You can get a blood test to see if this is the problem, get your doctor to run a Tyroid Stimulating hormone Level
And the other comment was no from a doctor, of course medication can cause hair loss…..
Hi there,
There are many things that can cause hair loss. Diabetes is one of them. As for Metformin causing thinning of the hair, there have been no documented cases of this medication causing this problem. However, I have had an increase in hair thinning due to my Diabetes.
Medications that can cause hair loss are primarily chemotherapy drugs.
I hope this has helped you.
I did not have the problem when I was on Metformin. I have heard some people talk about hair loss while on this med. Ask a pharmacist…….
Yes ihave diabetes and i have lost body and hair on my head. This is normal with the disease. Is your sugar under control??? Keep it down and you will have much fewer problems!!!
i had wondeful hair befor i got diabetes and when i was put on metformin my hair become like straw and was horrid everyone i knew noticed my hair becoming rank, i came off metformin and now my hair is back to it wonderful ways, i spoke to my nurse befor coming off it and she said it was fine, talk to your dr that all you can do