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My hair loss is back after a trip to a tropical country. What can I do?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Three months after I had my second child, I suffered hair loss. It all grew back six to seven months postpartum. Then, I went on a trip about two and a half months ago to a tropical climate and when I got back I am getting the same type of hair loss again. I believe the name for it is called telogen effluvium. My hair is also very weak in general and some strands are similar to a straw consistency. Could the trip have triggered this or could this be a thyroid issue? I also got BPPV postpartum and even now suffer from chronic dizziness. MRI is normal. Ear tests are normal. The blood test is also normal.

Answered by Dr. Shaikh Sadaf

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Shaikh Sadaf is a Specialist in Diabetology and Endocrinology dedicated to providing comprehensive care for patients with hormonal and metabolic disorders. With two decades of clinical experience, she is skilled in managing diabetes, thyroid conditions, and a wide range of endocrine issues. Having trained internationally and earned prestigious memberships from leading medical colleges, Dr. Sadaf combines global expertise with a compassionate, patient-centered approach. She focuses on personalized treatment, preventive care, and long-term wellness to help patients achieve better health outcomes.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I just read your query, and from what you have mentioned, it appears that you have hair fall. Now, there could be many reasons.

1. Postpartum: One-year post delivery of a child and a possible lactation might cause nutritional deficiencies in a woman and also the normalization of the pregnancy and lactation hormones back to the non-pregnant state.

2. Thyroid dysfunction: For which I suggest a TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) test.

3. Iron deficiency anemia: For which it would be best to do a complete blood count and serum ferritin levels.

4. Vitamin D deficiency: For which I suggest doing a vitamin D test.

Treatment: In the meantime, I would suggest that you take

1. Zinc capsules 110 mg once daily for one month.

2. Take a multivitamin supplement.

3. Eat eggs if you are a non-vegetarian.

4. Minoxidil 2 % hairspray can be applied carefully to the scalp only for three to six months while wearing gloves.

5. Oil your hair with coconut oil twice a week, leave it overnight, and wash it off with a mild shampoo.

Try to do the tests and get back for review. Good luck.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply,

My TSH level is 2. B-12 is great. My iron and hemoglobin are within normal limits also. Since my hair grew in after I originally experienced hair loss, could the hair loss now be a result of the vacation I took and being in hot, humid weather?

Answered by Dr. Shaikh Sadaf

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Shaikh Sadaf is a Specialist in Diabetology and Endocrinology dedicated to providing comprehensive care for patients with hormonal and metabolic disorders. With two decades of clinical experience, she is skilled in managing diabetes, thyroid conditions, and a wide range of endocrine issues. Having trained internationally and earned prestigious memberships from leading medical colleges, Dr. Sadaf combines global expertise with a compassionate, patient-centered approach. She focuses on personalized treatment, preventive care, and long-term wellness to help patients achieve better health outcomes.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Yes, hair loss can definitely be due to a change in weather. I asked about vitamin D levels as well. It is good to know about your thyroid function test and iron levels as well. I suggest you take a multivitamin including biotin and other essential vitamins.

Good luck.

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At May 23, 2018
Reviewed At November 5, 2025

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Shaikh Sadaf is a Specialist in Diabetology and Endocrinology dedicated to providing comprehensive care for patients with hormonal and metabolic disorders. With two decades of clinical experience, she is skilled in managing diabetes, thyroid conditions, and a wide range of endocrine issues. Having trained internationally and earned prestigious memberships from leading medical colleges, Dr. Sadaf combines global expertise with a compassionate, patient-centered approach. She focuses on personalized treatment, preventive care, and long-term wellness to help patients achieve better health outcomes.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Shaikh Sadaf is a Specialist in Diabetology and Endocrinology dedicated to providing comprehensive care for patients with hormonal and metabolic disorders. With two decades of clinical experience, she is skilled in managing diabetes, thyroid conditions, and a wide range of endocrine issues. Having trained internationally and earned prestigious memberships from leading medical colleges, Dr. Sadaf combines global expertise with a compassionate, patient-centered approach. She focuses on personalized treatment, preventive care, and long-term wellness to help patients achieve better health outcomes.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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