Shedding after taking Saw Palmetto

[Rizaan]

So I recently got capsules ( just 160 mgsaw palmetto + vitamins) online. Just a day after taking my first capsule, my scalp started to itch from time to time, and now 2 days later I'm shedding heavily. I applied my usual minoxidil in the morning, and after a few hours noticed my scalp was VERY dry. My skin was coming off and when i rubbed my head, I couldn't believe how much dandruff started to get off along with a lot of hair.
I got so scared, i took a shower and used Ketoconazole (2%), and even after that shower when I ran my hand over my head, hair came out which has never happened before. Most of these hairs were thin (miniaturised). Is that of any significance? Does this mean I'm a diffuse thinner + have MPB(I'm a NW1.5)?

I know there isn't much research for Saw palmetto, but it is known to be a DHT blocker and a lot of people use it. I've read from some reviews that there could be some shedding at first but i didn't think it would happen so soon and so much (easily more than 100+ hairs) that too while giving me an itchy, dry scalp; and this was just 160 mg of Saw Palmetto taken orally!
Should i keep taking the supplements and hope to regrow what i lost or should I stop? (please don't tell me to do the later if you dismiss anything aside from the big 3)

[Rizaan]

https://www.*****************/intera...palmetto.2960/
My hopes of Saw palmetto stopping HL are pretty much crushed after reading this; the type of 5AR it blocks isn't the one found in the scalp But I don't get all the reviews from people saying their HL stopped a few months after taking SP.

[Rizaan]

But that is in theory. Everywhere else I search, people say they started shedding AFTER stopping taking Saw Palmetto and that it had either slowed down or stopped their Hair Loss.
Now I can't decide between whether or not I should continue with the SP supplements or if I should start applying SP extract topically. If I do see improvement, and if I ever stop, I'll shed more hair, like how it is with minoxidil and Propecia. I find of feel stuck with minoxidil now because i know I'll go from a NW1.5 to a NW2.5 (probably) if I stop, it's giving me side effects (irritation in eyes + puffiness under eyes). My hair looks like shit now and my confidence is going down

[Rizaan]

I can't believe it: I've lost so much hair now, i can actually see my scalp through my sparse hair It has never looked this worse and I'd never thought it would happen so quickly. I feel crushed

[Rizaan]

If i keep losing more hair I'll be completely bald on top in just a few weeks since my density was already low to begin with. I don't know why my HL is getting so aggressive

[HTsoon]

What questions do you have Rizaan? this is your thread and the appropriate place to ask questions.

[JeanlucBergman]

If i keep losing more hair I'll be completely bald on top in just a few weeks since my density was already low to begin with. I don't know why my HL is getting so aggressive

Get on the big 3 or lose your hair. Get over it.

[Rizaan]

Get on the big 3 or lose your hair. Get over it.

I have been on Minoxidil and Ketoconazole for 2 and a half years. I don't want to touch finesteride even though I'm aware it is the most potent of the 3.

I am wondering if my current shedding was due to telogen effluvium. I don't know much about it but could sudden itchy scalp, lots of dandruff and shedding be symptoms? I did have a stressful period about 4 months ago so I could be losing hair now because of that (based on what i learned about this condition through googling).
Either that or I'm f*cked with my ALA suddenly getting very aggressive

[Rizaan]

What questions do you have Rizaan? this is your thread and the appropriate place to ask questions.

I don't want to spend my youth balding and depressed with my HL, so i think it would be better to get a HT soon. I know I'd have to get more done in the future since I'll keep losing more hair, but I'll take that into consideration while getting my first one done. I am fine with an adult hairline (1.5 cm above the uppermost horizontal brow) and a slightly receded hairline. Also, I've had pretty low density for like 2 years now and most people couldn't tell because my natural hair isn't fine.
I've narrowed down to one of the best HT surgeons in India, so that's not of a concern. I don't know when I can get the surgery done, but probably in my early 20s.

I also considered Hair Systems very recently since i started losing more hair. Earlier I wouldn't even think of it because it's "fake", but I'm desperate now. Do I have to shave my head on the top to use a hair system? What about using it after the HT(until the results) like you suggested?

[DAVE52]

Do I have to shave my head on the top to use a hair system? What about using it after the HT(until the results) like you suggested?

I think YES, they need something to glue the piece to .

How 'bout postings pics of your current state . IT's probably not as bad as you make it seem