Episode 5

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Published on:

27th Apr 2024

Episode 5: Hair Loss in Hyperparathyroidism

In this short episode, Lisa Marie shares the impact Hyperparathyroidism has had on her own hair, the inappropriate comment from an endocrinologist, and her tips for maintaining and protecting the hair during your parathyroid journey.

RESOURCES

The information shared in this podcast has been provided by several sources. These include outcomes from personal consultations with medical professionals, my own experiences, published research by expert medical professionals, and the NHS website. Please click on the links below for more information.

Hyperparathyroidism

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hyperparathyroidism/

Normocalcemic Hyperparathyroidism

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7923978/

Hyperparathyroidism Support & Information - Patient to Patient Support Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/406980976340533

NICE Guidelines

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng132

DISCLAIMER: Lisa Marie is not in any way medically trained, she is not providing medical advice, and the information that is shared is in no way a substitute for qualified medical advice. If you believe you may have this disease, then you must seek the most appropriate medical advice, this podcast aims to help you navigate your way to the right medical support and diagnosis.

Transcript
Lisa Marie: [:

I remember when I raised this symptom with, or this problem with one of the doctors that I saw, the doctor looked at me straight in the eye and she said, do you dye your hair? It was if to insinuate that this may be in some way the cause of all my hair problems and not the disease.

And as a former hairdresser I can tell you that there is nothing that I was putting on my hair at that time or have put on my hair since that could

[:

cause that kind of damage. Certainly not a receding hairline and certainly not the breakage and the thinning of the hair.

I have been suffering from all of that since The very beginning of the disease and it was very gradual to begin with. , and then as my symptoms worsened and my numbers, my, blood levels of my , PTH et cetera

increased. So did my hair issues I was getting and still get hair loss when I was washing or showering.

, sometimes it's more, sometimes it's a little bit. less lose hair when I'm brushing, whilst I'm sleeping. Often the bathroom floor is covered in hair. I have very thin patches, particularly around the front of the hair and my hairline. And, specifically for me, the left side of my hairline seems to recede significantly when

[:

my bloods are up.

I can see now much more of my scalp than I could before I had hyperparathyroidism and there is constant breakage at various points. My hair has completely changed texture and has become quite frizzy, where it hadn't been before. With that said, I thought I would share my tips for keeping hair as healthy as it can be whilst you're on your hyperparathyroidism journey.

For me, it's down to choosing the best shampoo and conditioner that I can afford within my budget. I've chosen a customised, formula to combat the specific issues that I'm having. And I find that paraben and sulfate free shampoos and conditions are much better. When styling my hair I always use a protective serum and leave in conditioner to help protect the weak areas and wherever

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possible I let my hair dry naturally.

If I am drying my hair then I use the coolest setting and the largest barrel brush that I can to help prevent over drying and tangling. Whilst all the aforementioned will not prevent hair loss or any other hair related symptoms. it should help keep the remaining hair more manageable and in the best possible condition.

Hopefully that's helped give you a little insight as to hair loss in relation to hyperparathyroidism and the very small steps that we can all take , to help preserve what we have left. Thank you for listening. I hope that you will join me in Episode 6 where we discuss dental issues in relation to hyperparathyroidism.

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Show artwork for Hyperparathyroidism: A Patient's Perspective

About the Podcast

Hyperparathyroidism: A Patient's Perspective
Lisa Marie candidly shares her personal journey with the disease, providing invaluable insights from a patient's perspective. Lisa Marie delves into the symptoms, challenges, and unique experiences associated with hyperparathyroidism, shedding light on its impact on daily life.

This is not a podcast about thyroid problems, underactive, overactive or thyroid cancers. This is a podcast about parathyroid disease, relating to the 4 tiny glands that sit behind your thyroid gland.

Throughout the podcast, listeners gain a deep understanding of the diverse symptoms that accompany hyperparathyroidism. Lisa Marie discusses the physical manifestations, such as fatigue, muscle weakness, and bone pain, that can significantly disrupt a person's quality of life. She emphasizes the importance of recognising these symptoms and seeking medical attention for proper diagnosis and treatment. Please see the RESOURCES guide below.

One of the lesser-known aspects of hyperparathyroidism that Lisa Marie explores is its effects on dental health. She shares her own struggles with dental issues, including bone loss, which are common complications of the condition. By sharing her experiences, she aims to raise awareness about the importance of dental care in managing hyperparathyroidism and improving overall well-being.

Hair loss is another topic that Lisa Marie bravely addresses in the podcast. She discusses how hyperparathyroidism can contribute to hair thinning and loss, highlighting the emotional toll it can take on individuals already grappling with the challenges of the disease. Through her candid storytelling, she offers empathy and support to listeners who may be experiencing similar hair-related concerns.

Ultimately, "Hyperparathyroidism: A Patient's Perspective" provides a platform for patients like Lisa Marie to share their journeys, fostering understanding, empathy, and solidarity within the hyperparathyroidism community. By sharing her story, Lisa Marie hopes to empower others to advocate for their health, seek support, and navigate the complexities of living with hyperparathyroidism with resilience and hope.

ABBREVIATIONS:

HPT - Hyperparathyroidism.
nHPT - Normocalcemic Hyperparathyroidism.
PTH - Parathyroid Hormone Level.
ng/L - Blood chemistry measurement.
MP - Member of Parliament -UK

CLARIFICATIONS:
Hyperplasia verses single adenoma.

Hyperplasia affects all four glands and the glands become enlarged.
A single adenoma usually a benign (non-cancerous) tumour of the gland.

RESOURCES
The information shared in this podcast has been provided by several sources. These include outcomes from personal consultations with medical professionals, my own experiences, published research by expert medical professionals, and the NHS website. Please click on the links below for more information. It also includes a link to a well-organised and run patietn to patient support group.

Hyperparathyroidism
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hyperparathyroidism/

Normocalcemic Hyperparathyroidism
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7923978/

Hyperparathyroidism Support and Information - Patient-to-Patient Support Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/406980976340533

NICE Guidelines
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng132

Fibromyalgia
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/fibromyalgia/symptoms/
https://www.fmauk.org/

Menopause
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/
https://www.newsonhealth.co.uk/

Thyroid Function
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/underactive-thyroid-hypothyroidism/
https://www.btf-thyroid.org/what-is-thyroid-disorder

DISCLAIMER: Lisa Marie is not in any way medically trained, she is not providing medical advice, and the information that is shared is in no way a substitute for qualified medical advice. If you believe you may have this disease, then you must seek the most appropriate medical advice, this podcast aims to help you navigate your way to the right medical support and diagnosis.

About your host

Profile picture for Lisa Marie Olson

Lisa Marie Olson

I am Lisa Marie, a patient with hyperparathyroidism and more specifically a variation of the disease called normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism with hyperplasia. Hyperparthroidism, is NOT thyroid disease.

I have been navigating this disease for what may be 19 years, a large proportion of my 23-year marriage and my 25-year relationship with my husband.

I am extremely passionate about raising awareness of this often debilitating disease, the damage it can cause if left undiagnosed and untreated, by sharing my journey here and where ever I can.