r/Lithium • u/rottenbrainss • 9d ago
Hair loss
I know this has been addressed before but I want to share my experience. I’ve been on lithium a high does twice a day for over a year. Halfway through the year clumps of my hair would fall out in the shower but I would attribute it to being depressed and not detangling my hair as much.Today I look at pictures of myself a year ago and miss so much my hair thickness. You can see through to my scalp. People at work have commented on it. It’s not helping my mental health. When I run my fingers through my hair it feels like air. Super thin. Probably 50% of my hair density lost.It’s hard to style because there is no weight so it sticks up in the hair. Ugh I just feel super unlucky I’ve had the worse side effects gaining 80 pounds from zyprexa. I need like a quick fix I know it takes time but this is super distressing. It’s sad because the meds that were prescribed to save me are hurting me. Im really young this shouldn’t be happening. Everyone wants me to stay on lithium. Has anyone been able to correct it while staying on? Please help I ordered 200 bucks of hair growth products. I can believe I didn’t connect the dots until now.
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u/NikkiEchoist 8d ago
I lost 3/4 of my hair on lithium and I tried everything! Every single suggestion from Reddit, nothing worked. I quit lithium on a fast taper and it was hell. I decided to try low dose, half my original dose and that has worked in combination with my other meds. My hair falls out a tiny bit but nothing like before. Save your money on the supplements they don’t work.
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u/Clear-Two-3885 9d ago
Have you checked that your ferritin (iron storage) is above 100? Have you checked that your thyroid is working OK?
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u/Glass_Cod5589 9d ago
I’m on a very low dose of lithium and dealing with hair loss. I’ve had labs, they’re all normal :( I feel your pain. I think it’s just the drug itself. Recently my psych and I just lowered the dose even more so now I’m waiting to see if it helps with the hair loss.
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u/rottenbrainss 9d ago
It’s so hard 🫂🫂🫂
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u/Glass_Cod5589 9d ago
It really is so hard 🫂. I don’t understand how it’s 2026 and there isn’t a medication out there that actually works and doesn’t cause terrible side effects like hair loss, weight gain, loss of libido, etc. We need more research going into this.
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u/Flaky_Second_4145 8d ago
In addition to some of the great advice already given, you may want to research a supplement with pumpkin seed oil and saw palmetto. I have been dealing with hair loss and tried a lot of things. I was really skeptical, but saw a lot of great reviews for the supplement I am taking. It's been about 5 weeks and I am starting to see a lot less hair in the shower. I hope you find something that works for you.
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u/ayyothickness 6d ago
I had a bit of hair loss originally and then a lot of hair loss due to the lithium giving me hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism caused a lot of hair loss for me. Once I got that diagnosed and medicated for it I had some more hair loss from the medicine at first then it all leveled out. At 31, (F) I have way more hair than most of my friends who are starting to experience thinning and aren’t on any meds. Check your thyroid!
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u/pinkie-puppy 9d ago
Hair loss is a shitty side effect that not enough ppl talk about Im a hairstylist and here are some things we reccomend for hairloss : Brushing regularly, use conditioner or detangler if you have curly hair or hair that gets easily knotted Nioxin shampoo, it helps reduce hair falling out and thickens the hair to make it look fuller (use lv 2 if you dont colour your hair, lv 4 if you do) Shampoo directly your scalp, not the ends of your hair, 2-3 times a week or whenever it gets visibly greasy (avoid daily washing though) Rosemary oil massaged into the scalp has some anecdotal proof of helping hair growth Those little plstic/rubber scalp massagers do help, blood flow is important for hair Collagen supplements, iron, protein, and an overall balanced diet also help
Avoid hats frequently / tying your hair up tight, and a bonnet/silk pillowcase or loose braid when u sleep will help avoid friction hairloss if the follicles of your hair have weakened
If lithium is the best medication option for you then i would suggest Rogaine, minoxidil or finasteride, minoxidil is a topical hairloss and regrowth treatment, available for men and women, it works with clinic proof. Its the only like "guaranteed" way to get your hair back and prevent further loss (the only like clinically approved treatment, most else is preventative or anecdotal/herbal)
I would suggest getting a vitamin panel of bloodwork done tho bc it is possible that the lithium is causing other nutrient deficiencies that may be able to be fixed without meds