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What Causes Low LH And FSH Levels While On Oral Contraceptive Pills?
Question: I had blood results come back with very low LH and FSH. I am 27 and experiencing hair loss. I have normal weight. I am on an oral contraceptive, and started that when I was diagnosed with PCOS about 7 years ago. Any ideas?
Brief Answer:
Your FSH/LH results are normal
Detailed Answer:
Hello. and I hope I can help you today.
I am assuming that your FSH and LH were tested during your pill-free week, otherwise the results are not accurate. But a low FSH and LH in the early part of your cycle is normal- these levels go up very high at menopause. Your estrogen and testosterone levels are more relevant that your FSH when evaluating hair loss... if your body is making enough estrogen, and you do not have elevated testosterone, it's unlikely your hair loss is hormonally mediated. And the pill lowers testosterone in women (that's why it helps acne) and it is unlikely you would have low estrogen on the pill.
The causes of hair loss in women can be caused by many things. Birth control pills have been associated with thinning hair in women, but if you have been on the pill for years it is unlikely all of a sudden you would get hair loss without some kind of a change. Other medical conditions an cause thinning hair- like thyroid disease, and other scalp conditions that can be evaluated by a dermatologist. Even wearing your hair up a lot or tight braids or a lot of heat styling can cause thinning hair.
So, in summary low FSH and LH are normal in the first week of your cycle (your pill free week). I would recommend seeing your primary care physician or a dermatologist rather than your OBGYN for further evaluation. Taking the supplement Biotin also have help to improve hair growth.
I hope I adequately answered your question and that my advice was helpful. Please do not hesitate to contact me further if you need more information or have questions.
Best wishes, Dr. Brown
Your FSH/LH results are normal
Detailed Answer:
Hello. and I hope I can help you today.
I am assuming that your FSH and LH were tested during your pill-free week, otherwise the results are not accurate. But a low FSH and LH in the early part of your cycle is normal- these levels go up very high at menopause. Your estrogen and testosterone levels are more relevant that your FSH when evaluating hair loss... if your body is making enough estrogen, and you do not have elevated testosterone, it's unlikely your hair loss is hormonally mediated. And the pill lowers testosterone in women (that's why it helps acne) and it is unlikely you would have low estrogen on the pill.
The causes of hair loss in women can be caused by many things. Birth control pills have been associated with thinning hair in women, but if you have been on the pill for years it is unlikely all of a sudden you would get hair loss without some kind of a change. Other medical conditions an cause thinning hair- like thyroid disease, and other scalp conditions that can be evaluated by a dermatologist. Even wearing your hair up a lot or tight braids or a lot of heat styling can cause thinning hair.
So, in summary low FSH and LH are normal in the first week of your cycle (your pill free week). I would recommend seeing your primary care physician or a dermatologist rather than your OBGYN for further evaluation. Taking the supplement Biotin also have help to improve hair growth.
I hope I adequately answered your question and that my advice was helpful. Please do not hesitate to contact me further if you need more information or have questions.
Best wishes, Dr. Brown
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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