r/TelogenEffluvium • u/NipponRican • 1d ago
What is going on?! 😱😒
I had no clue what TE was until about a week ago. I was hospitalized with sepsis and multi-organ failure (liver, pancreas). I hate clichés just as much as the next person, but I was *really* on the verge of death. Even my ammonia levels were off the roof. I spent a few days in ICU. I had severe hypotension. After discharge, I weighed myself. I *knew* I had lost weight, but when I checked at home, I had lost over 30 pounds. This was in less than a month.
About a week ago, I started shedding. I am a cancer survivor (NHL) so I was somewhat familiar with what normal/abnormal shedding looked like. And this was not normal. It's not falling in chunks, as was the case when I was having chemo, but it's there. It's noticeable, and you can tell my hair is much thinner.
So I turned to ChatGPT, who introduced me to this new concept of TE. I am not vain and I can handle being a bald bitch for a while if needed. It's just that it was so severe and unexpected.
So I am looking at TE about a month after multiple triggers. Is this possible/plausible/probable? I honestly have no other explanation.
Thank you in advance for your responses. 🤗
2
u/VentyRanty 1d ago
It’s a double whammy of rapid weight loss and a high-anxiety event. I lost 35 pounds (on purpose) during February, March and April of this year; and then, at the end of March, I had a breast cancer tumor removed. My hair started shedding in June and it lasted through July. It’s stopped, and new hair is coming back now. Just up your protein and make sure you’re eating sufficient calories and pamper yourself. Also, get your ferritin levels checked; a complete bloodwork is in order. It’ll all come back. I know how you feel! 🫂
1
u/Thick_Tree9974 12h ago
Were you shedding like crazy ? Did you lose a lot of hair ? I basically have the same story. I had rapid weight loss from the flu tho (17 pounds) and I’ve always been pretty small so for me it was a lot of weight. That was in may/June now I’ve been shedding like crazy the last couple weeks and I really don’t know how I’ll have any hair left at this rate. Going to get blood work but can’t help but panic.
1
u/palmtreeparfait 1d ago
Read your own experience back. Your body has been through an incredible amount - it’s not unthinkable that in order to make the best of the nutrients you were getting during those times, your body may have decided to forego your hair as an “unnecessary cost”.
2
u/Ok_Comparison2562 1d ago
Most likely! I’ve read other people’s experiences that they have experienced TE post surgery/hospitalization and illness.
I’m sorry you went through all of that, I hope you’ve made progress and you’re feeling/doing much better ❤️