Hi all, hope you are all as well as can be on this Wednesday afternoon. Just back from the hairdresser and it’s got me wondering about hair/thinning loss. My consultant said my hair would thin, not much of it as it is, but didn’t say how long into the Hydroxycarbamide it would be. Also nails, he said they would get brittle and flake. Off to Spain in 3 weeks, so any help would be great.
Thanks LynnB
Hi @LynnB
I was on hydroxycarbamide for about 6mths and probably became more aware of hair thinning after about 3 months and darkening of nails (not so much flakey nails or brittle) around the same time.
Have to say since being off it for about 3 months nails are back to a normal/natural colour and hair isn’t as bad as it was so have to agree when they say it’s down to medication.
Hi @LynnB to cloud the waters for you.
I have Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and always been on watch and wait.
I was diagnosed 20 yrs ago.
A few years on my GP nurse, when I was having my blood tests, said my hair was thinning because my body was using all it’s strength fighting the leukaemia and could not cope with my hair as well as we have a temperate climate in this country???
A gynaecologist said my thinning locks could also be exacerbated because I was never offered HRT???
My hair is very thin now but is this because I am ageing as well ???
We are very complex beings.
You have also got Hydroxycarbamide in the mix with hair thinning/loss being a known side effect.
My nails are OK.
Oh @Erica we are so complicated! I had a hysterectomy aged 38, I was on HRT off and on for a while, couldn’t find one to suit me, now my hair is so fine, from my husband saying do you fancy going out, I can be out the door in 10 mins with my hair washed, dried and styled there is so little of it. 
Hi @LynnB - I’ve seen some of your recent posts about your Essential thrombocythemia (ET) diagnosis and treatment - I am a fellow Essential thrombocythemia (ET) patient diagnosed 18 years ago! Had 13 years on Hydroxy then five on Pegasys interferon injections now just back to Hydroxy treatment 
- the game of tweaking and changing that can go with MPNs being looked after! Anyway re hair and nails - yes Hydroxy does tend to affect both and it tends to be after some time - you may notice it after a few months - my hair thinned out when I first was on HU would get quite a bit of hair loss on my brush but not and I lost my eyelashes and eyebrows never returned! But my hair was thin but not noticeable probably to anyone but me and not like the complete hair loss patients on heavy duty chemo regimes get - so you may find it’s ok really not so,stoning to be too concerned about, I found it the same on interferon too nails were weak and would break a lot and be brittle again after a few months - they returned to normal on interferon. But for most Hydroxy is a good treatment and many are on it for many years so you will find you get used to the bits and pieces that go with it - and will enjoy your holiday coming up 
Hi @Jilly20 thanks for the info. I have very thin hair already, so fingeers crossed it’s not noticeable! I have hardly any eyebrows due the the underactive thyroid, you lose about a third of your eyebrows and they are very thin, never go out without them drawn on! 
Hopefully my holiday will help me feel a t bit better. Our weather here on the West Coast of Scotland is awful, been pouring all morning and roads are flooded, doesn’t help with the mood. Thanks again 
Hey LynnB! Sorry to hear that. Hair thinning usually starts 2-3 weeks into chemo and grows back after treatment. For your nails, moisturize regularly and avoid harsh chemicals. Hope this helps and you have a great trip to Spain!
Hello again @LynnB, I hear your concerns about losing hair and nails weakening while taking hydroxyurea and it’s great you’re checking this stuff out.
As a counterpoint to how hydroxyurea has affected others, I seem to be in the minority here as I’ve taken it daily for over a year and not noticed any difference in my hair or nails. Perhaps my 500 mg dose is low enough not to cause those issues.
Do be more careful in the sun now though as hydroxyurea makes our skin photosensitive and more prone to burning than before, plus it raises our risks of developing skin cancers (thanks again @Heidi_BloodCancerUK!).
Have an amazing time in Spain and don’t forget your high SPF skin products and clothing!