Short answer, there's really not much you can do. Premature graying has been associated with certain medical conditions such as thyroid disorders, vitiligo, vitamin B12 deficiency, and anemia. Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition in which the cells that make pigment (melanocytes) are destroyed, resulting in patches of hair and skin that become white.
For your information, there may also be a link with decreased bone mineral density in post menopausal women, which is a risk factor for osteoporosis. In a study of 293 healthy post menopausal women, those who had experienced premature graying of a majority of their hair by age 40 had decreased bone density throughout their bones compared with comparable women who did not have premature graying. But more recent research published in Osteoporosis International showed the opposite -- that going prematurely gray is not necessarily an indicator of osteoporosis. Since you are nowhere near being post menopausal, this does not apply to you.
You'll probably want to make an appointment with the doctor, who can do blood tests to rule out anemia, thyroid disorders, vitiligo, and vitamin B12 deficiency. Beyond those possible issues, you're going to probably become very good friends with the colorist at the salon.
2007-03-10 09:55:36
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answer #1
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answered by CJ 4
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