Training and hair loss

[VAfamily1998]

I'm currently training for a LOT of races, including 3 marathons (Oct, Dec, and then Disney World in January). I just finished my peak week of training for the October marathon (ran 22 miles on Sunday) and am starting to taper--but have noticed some hair loss--mostly towards the front, so a receding hairline.

The last time I noticed something like this was about a year ago, when I was training for a marathon (my first and so far, only marathon.) The hair loss stopped after the marathon when I cut WAY back on my running. Unfortunately, that won't happen after this marathon in October, as I will start training again for the Dec. marathon, then the Disney one...and though I haven't registered yet, there is another marathon I'd like to do in March...

So I googled and found an article that talked about exercise and hair loss--and it mentioned that females are more prone to anemia and iron deficiency, that can lead to hair loss.

Has anyone else experienced this? I was wondering if I take an iron supplement, or just make a more concentrated effort to eat foods high in iron, if the hair loss will stop? Or is there no way to stop it without cutting way back on my training?

 

[bumbershoot]

I would make some serious concerted efforts to get in nutrient-rich, really really GOOD for you, foods. Not just iron-containing...not all foods that HAVE a lot of iron can GIVE a lot of iron. But all good foods. Maybe, since this has happened before, find a good sports-based nutritionist to help you with a diet for your training times. Seems like it would be a great investment for you!

 

[whitney250]

I am currently experiencing this as well! Stress will make you lose hair, and even though it's not mentally stressful (well, maybe... lol) intense training stresses out your body. I have an appointment for blood work next week, and we will find out the cause for sure, but he seemed to think my body is just stressed out from working out so hard. I had also read that anemia could cause it, so I started taking vitamins that supplemented iron and it did seem to help with the hair loss.