Hair Loss During HCV Therapy
Hair loss or breakage is common during interferon therapy, approximately one third of people may experience noticeable hair loss. The severity of this side-effect varies enormously from person to person.
When I reflect upon my own experience a few things stand out. I was obsessed with any hair loss, so I noticed all thinning, more than those around me (unless they lied).
When I reflect upon my own experience a few things stand out. I was obsessed with any hair loss, so I noticed all thinning, more than those around me (unless they lied).
I already have a thyroid problem, so it may have played a roll; it was more dysfunctional then I was. Research indicates that Thyroid disease is a frequent side effect of interferon. A dysfunctional thyroid can cause hair loss and people loss. Yes, I myself and my hair were lost.
I used "Nioxin" a special type of shampoo and conditioner designed specifically for people with mild hair loss due to adverse effects from immune stimulating (and chemotherapy) medications. However, for me it did nothing and going against all the advice from my treatment nurse, forgive me, but I highlighted my hair. My hair felt thicker, it made me feel better. If I was going to be ugly during treatment - I was going to have almost good hair. Here is some info on HCV treatment and thyroid dysfunction.
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.2010 Aug.
Thyroid dysfunction in a UK hepatitis C population treated with interferon-alpha and ribavirin combination therapy..
Costelloe SJ, Wassef N, Schulz J, Vaghijiani T, Morris C, Whiting S, Thomas M, Dusheiko G, Jacobs M, Vanderpump MP.
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, The Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust, Pond Street, London, United Kingdom.
Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2010 Aug;73(2):249-56. Epub 2010 Feb 10.
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Department of Clinical Biochemistry, The Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust, Pond Street, London, United Kingdom.
Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2010 Aug;73(2):249-56. Epub 2010 Feb 10.
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OBJECTIVE:
To assess the incidence of thyroid dysfunction (TD) in a UK cohort of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection treated with interferon-alpha (IFNalpha) and ribavirin combination therapy (IFN/RBV).
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DESIGN, PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS:
A retrospective study of 288 patients who received IFN/RBV for HCV during a 2-year period from January 2006 was performed. Thyroid function was assessed during a 24-week or 48-week course of IFN/RBV. If serum thyrotrophin (TSH) became undetectable (less then 0.01 mU/l) and serum free thyroxine (T4) was raised, a diagnostic thyroid isotope scan was performed.
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RESULTS:
Full medical records were examined for 260 patients (172 men, 88 women) included in the study, of whom 22.3% (16.9% of men, 33.0% of women) developed TD during IFN/RBV. In total, 10.4% developed a suppressed serum TSH (0.8% Graves' disease, 9.6% transient thyroiditis) while 11.9% developed an elevated serum TSH with 1.5% becoming permanently hypothyroid and requiring levothyroxine therapy.
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Women had a relative risk (RR) for developing TD of 1.96 (CI: 1.75-3.03, P = 0.004). A serum TSH > or =1.75 mU/l and a positive thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibody titre pretherapy were associated with RRs for progression to TD of 6.02 (CI: 2.95-12.78, P less then 0.0001) and 4.35 (CI: 2.58-6.52; P less then 0.0001), respectively, while combination of baseline TSH and TPO antibody data predicted progression to TD with a sensitivity of 94.7%..
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CONCLUSIONS:
Although Thyroid dysfunction=TD was common in this cohort, just 2.3% developed TD that required ongoing therapy. Pre-IFN/RBV serum TSH and TPO antibody titre were found to predict progression to TD in this group of patients.. .
PMID: 20148905 [PubMed - in process]
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From : Annals of Hepatology 2008;
May also be viewed here: January-March: 72-77
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"Use the zoom tool to view presentation"
.Also See: Thyroid and Hepatitis C ..
Iron Deficiency Not Likely Culprit in Female Hair Loss
Researchers find no difference in rate of iron deficiency between subjects and controls
FRIDAY, Dec. 3
(HealthDay News) -- Although past research has suggested a correlation between iron deficiency (ID) and female pattern hair loss (FPHL) or chronic telogen effluvium (CTE), a recent population-based study published in the December issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology finds no such association.
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Hair Loss and Interferon (Oldie But Goodie)
Interferon can cause hair thinning, hair loss, hair breakage, and can change the texture of hair. However, some women are under the impression that interferon therapy will cause them to lose all their hair. (Well, that’s what Pamela Anderson stated as one of her main reasons for not starting therapy!). This is a total misconception. In fact, hair loss while on interferon therapy is infrequent. If it occurs at all, the amount of hair lost is often minimal and usually unnoticeable to others. Women on interferon do not experience hair loss in the way that a cancer patient on chemotherapy does. Hair loss from interferon appears to be most frequent in Caucasians with black hair, and in Orientals.
It typically occurs around the third or fourth month of therapy. Hair loss may continue for up to three months after treatment is discontinued. Hair loss is more common among women then it is among men (as well as less socially acceptable).
If hair loss does occur, there are many steps that women can take to minimize this side effect. Women should refrain from dying or bleaching their hair while on interferon therapy, since this may exacerbate hair loss. A mild hair rinse may be used as an alternative to coloring. Avoid permanents and hair straightening procedures while on therapy. Many women have found the vitamin biotin (a B vitamin) to be helpful. It is advisable to take this vitamin daily a few weeks prior to beginning therapy and to continue while on therapy. A mild shampoo and a detangling conditioner are advisable. Nioxin shampoo, Nioxin conditioner and Nioxin hair growth promoter can help keep hair loss to a minimum while on therapy. Nioxin hair loss treatment should be started about a month prior to starting antiviral therapy. Other recommended shampoos include Tricomin, Revivogen and Nizoral. Minoxidil (Rogaine) liquid topical medication may be of some benefit. It should be applied only to the scalp and not ingested. It may stop hair loss and thicken the remaining hair, but continued use twice daily for at least 4 months is typically required before obvious results are noted.
Other tips for diminishing hair loss include: the use of a wide tooth comb, avoidance of curling irons and rollers, and avoidance of daily shampooing. Avoid cornrowing, tight braids and pulling hair back in a ponytail with tight rubberbands. A short haircut may be in order. If hair loss becomes a major problem, medical insurances will typically cover the cost of a wig or a hairpiece. Often a doctor’s note or prescription along with a receipt of purchase is all that is required for insurance reimbursement.
Fortunately, any hair loss induced by interferon therapy is temporary, and regrowth typically occurs within three to six months from the drug’s discontinuation. The color and texture of hair may differ from the person’s original hair type. In fact, many women have noted that their hair grows back thicker, straighter, and shinier than before!
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ALOPECIA
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
nterferon affects the hair follicles and changes the texture of the hair, thereby making it
more sensitive to breakage. Hair loss, which has been described as a possible side effect
of treatment with interferons,1 occurs by one of two mechanisms. First, loss via a
shearing or friction effect at the scalp level (often during sleep as the hair moves across a
pillow) is caused by the weak, brittle nature of hair changes. Second, loss can occur via a
spontaneous release of the hair from the follicle, leaving the follicle empty, which is
usually seen with vigorous shampooing or brushing. Alopecia is frequently observed
when therapy is continued for longer than 3 to 4 months, and is characterized by thinning
and slight-to-mild hair loss. It appears to be the most common cutaneous reaction
associated with interferon alfa treatment. Alopecia may become more pronounced when
interferon is discontinued and may continue for 1 to 3 months.3 In general, alopecia
associated with interferon is reversible. In some patients, hair regrowth occurs during
treatment continuation.
Total revealed alopecia is seen more often with high-dose interferon or long-term
interferon maintenance therapy.
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