I have had microscopic colitis for 2 years - I take Entocort 6 gm daily and 200 mg of Asacol 3 times a day. Initially, things seemed to be ok but now it seems as if my hair is thinning. I know Asacol has hair loss as a side effect but I don't think this is the cause. I question if I'm absorbing nutrients completely. Has anyone else had this issue? I do take vitamins/minerals, fish oil, and flaxseed oil daily. Thanks.
Nurse Mary Lee
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My daughter, who is 11, was just diagnosed with UC this past May. She had a pretty bad flare that landed her in the hospital for 10 days. Now she's experiencing hair loss, although she is doing great otherwise. I too thought it could be the Asacol, but her doctor doesn't think so. He thinks the hair loss is related to her flare and how sick and malnourished she was for a while. I read it takes about 2 months for the hair to begin falling off after a serious illness, but that within 6 - 8 weeks this should stop and hair growth will begin again (although very slowly).
She takes a mulitvitamin and so we don't think it's a vitamin deficiency. If you were sick recently, this could be the cause of your hair loss. Good luck.
Hi Sandy. Thank you for your encouraging message! I had a flare and was in the hospital in both June and August. This does correspond with what seems to be the pattern of my thinning hair. Again, I truly appreciate your reply!
Mary Lee
Mary Lee,
I'm glad this was helpful. The condition is actually called Telogen Effluvium, and it can also be stress-related in adults, in addition to illness-related. If, however, you don't see a difference in the hair loss in several weeks, you may need to be tested for vitamin or other deficiencies. (That's what our Dr. told me as well.)
Hopefully it is just temporary, though!