LIVING WITH FMD AND FND: KELLY’S JOURNEY TO A DIAGNOSIS

In this deeply personal episode of Let’s Talk About It with Kelly, the roles are reversed. John Ranney asks Kelly about her experience living with two rare and frequently misunderstood conditions: Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD) and Functional Neurological Disorder (FND).

Kelly shares her story openly, including her frightening symptoms, physical pain, emotional struggles, repeated medical appointments, and the difficult journey to finding answers. She discusses what it feels like to know something is wrong with your body while struggling to be heard, understood, and properly diagnosed.

Fibromuscular Dysplasia is an uncommon blood-vessel disorder that can cause narrowing, enlargement, twisting, aneurysms, or tears in the arteries. It most commonly affects women and is often found in arteries supplying the kidneys, neck, and brain. Because symptoms can differ greatly between patients, obtaining a diagnosis can be complicated.

Kelly also opens up about Functional Neurological Disorder—a condition in which the brain’s communication with the nervous system is not functioning properly. FND can cause genuine and disabling neurological symptoms, even when conventional medical testing does not reveal the type of structural damage doctors may initially expect to find.

In this episode, Kelly and John discuss:

• Kelly’s first symptoms and warning signs
• Her experience being diagnosed with Fibromuscular Dysplasia
• Arterial dissections and vascular complications
• The physical pain and uncertainty of living with a rare disease
• Why FMD awareness is especially important for women
• The long and complicated road to an FND diagnosis
• Symptoms that can be difficult to explain or understand
• The frustration of feeling dismissed by medical professionals
• The emotional effects of not having clear answers
• Advocating for yourself within the healthcare system
• The importance of listening to women’s health concerns
• Living with two complex and misunderstood conditions
• Finding strength, support, and hope during an uncertain journey

This is a vulnerable, emotional, and honest conversation about the realities of rare and invisible illnesses. Kelly shares not only the medical side of her experience, but also the fear, exhaustion, frustration, and isolation that can accompany a condition other people cannot always see.

FND symptoms are real and are not imagined or “all in someone’s head.” The condition can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms may resemble those of other neurological disorders. A thorough medical assessment is important to identify the condition and determine appropriate treatment and support.

By sharing her story, Kelly hopes to raise awareness of Fibromuscular Dysplasia, Functional Neurological Disorder, women’s health, medical dismissal, and the need for patients to feel heard. She wants other people living with unexplained symptoms or rare conditions to know that they are not alone—and that continuing to ask questions and advocate for their health matters.

This special episode of Let’s Talk About It with Kelly creates space for the conversations people are often afraid to have. It is a story about illness, resilience, advocacy, vulnerability, and the search for answers.

Follow the podcast and share this episode to help raise awareness of FMD, FND, rare diseases, neurological conditions, vascular health, and women’s experiences within the healthcare system.

Please note: This podcast shares Kelly’s personal experience and is intended for awareness and general education only. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Symptoms, complications, and experiences vary between individuals. Anyone concerned about possible vascular or neurological symptoms should consult a qualified healthcare professional.

#FibromuscularDysplasia #FMDawareness #FunctionalNeurologicalDisorder #FNDawareness #RareDiseaseAwareness #WomensHealth #WomensHealthAwareness

PSYCHOLOGICAL HAIR LOSS: THE CONNECTION BETWEEN STRESS, MENTAL WELL-BEING AND HAIR HEALTH

In this episode of Let’s Talk About It with Kelly, Kelly Ranney sits down with John Ranney, Certified Clinical Trichologist and President of Freedom Clinic Toronto, to discuss the powerful connection between hair loss and psychological well-being.

Can emotional stress contribute to excessive hair shedding? How can hair loss affect confidence, relationships, work, and everyday life? John explains how stress and significant life events may influence the hair-growth cycle—and why the emotional effects of losing your hair should never be dismissed.

Hair loss is not “just cosmetic.” For many people, their hair is closely connected to identity, self-expression, confidence, culture, and personal well-being. When it begins to thin or shed unexpectedly, the experience can feel frightening, isolating, and difficult to explain to others.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• The connection between stress and hair loss
• Psychological and emotional triggers for excessive shedding
• Telogen effluvium and stress-related hair shedding
• Why shedding may begin months after a stressful event
• How hair loss can affect confidence and quality of life
• The emotional impact of female and male hair loss
• Anxiety surrounding washing, brushing, and styling the hair
• Trichotillomania and hair-pulling behaviours
• The relationship between scalp health and overall wellness
• Why psychological hair loss requires a compassionate approach
• How a clinical trichologist investigates unexplained shedding
• When medical or mental-health support may be helpful
• The importance of personalized hair-loss management

John also explains that stress should not automatically be assumed to be the cause of every case. Genetics, hormones, nutritional deficiencies, thyroid conditions, medications, illness, autoimmune disorders, inflammatory scalp conditions, and other medical factors may contribute to hair loss.

A thorough investigation may include a detailed health history, review of recent life events and illnesses, scalp and hair analysis, medication review, blood work ordered by a qualified healthcare professional, and referrals when necessary.

Kelly and John also discuss the difficult cycle that can develop when stress contributes to shedding—and the shedding itself creates more worry. Compassionate care, accurate information, realistic expectations, and the right professional support can help people feel less alone and more in control of their next steps.

If hair loss is affecting your emotional well-being, you deserve to be taken seriously. Seeking support is not an overreaction, and psychological symptoms do not mean that the hair loss is imaginary or “all in your head.”

Freedom Clinic Toronto has been helping people with hair loss, scalp conditions, trichology, hair restoration, and non-surgical hair replacement since 1978. Its multidisciplinary team takes an evidence-based and compassionate approach to each client’s individual hair-loss journey.

Listen to Let’s Talk About It with Kelly for honest conversations about hair loss, trichology, scalp health, mental wellness, confidence, and the subjects people are often afraid to discuss.

Follow the podcast and share this episode with someone who may be struggling with stress, unexplained hair shedding, or the emotional impact of hair loss.

Please note: This podcast is for general educational purposes only and does not provide a diagnosis or replace personalized medical or mental-health care. If hair loss or emotional distress is affecting your daily life, speak with a qualified healthcare or mental-health professional.

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BLOOD WORK FOR HAIR LOSS: WHICH TESTS MAY HELP UNCOVER THE CAUSE?

In this episode of Let’s Talk About It with Kelly, Kelly Ranney sits down with John Ranney, Certified Clinical Trichologist and President of Freedom Clinic Toronto, to discuss blood work that may be considered when investigating hair loss, excessive shedding, or changes in hair growth.

Can low iron contribute to hair shedding? What do thyroid function, vitamin levels, hormones, and overall health have to do with your hair? John explains why blood work can be an important part of a comprehensive hair loss investigation—and why simply being told that your results are “normal” may not always answer every question.

Hair loss can have many possible causes, including genetics, nutritional deficiencies, thyroid conditions, hormonal changes, illness, stress, medications, autoimmune disease, and inflammatory scalp conditions. Blood testing may help a qualified healthcare professional identify or rule out some underlying factors, but the appropriate tests will depend on each person’s symptoms, health history, medications, age, and type of hair loss.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• Why blood work may be recommended for hair loss
• Complete blood count and general health markers
• Iron, ferritin, and iron-deficiency concerns
• Thyroid testing and changes in hair growth
• Vitamin D, vitamin B12, folate, and zinc
• Hormonal factors that may affect hair loss
• Female hair loss and menstrual or menopausal changes
• Male and female pattern hair loss
• Telogen effluvium and excessive hair shedding
• Nutritional deficiencies and restrictive diets
• The connection between overall health and hair health
• Why test results must be interpreted in context
• When additional medical assessment may be needed
• The importance of combining blood work with a scalp and hair analysis

John also discusses why there is no single blood test that diagnoses every form of hair loss. A proper investigation may include a detailed medical and family history, scalp examination, assessment of the hair-loss pattern, review of symptoms and medications, and appropriate testing ordered by a licensed healthcare professional.

Blood work is only one piece of the puzzle. Results should never be interpreted in isolation, and supplements should not be started simply because hair is shedding. Taking unnecessary vitamins, minerals, or iron can be ineffective and may sometimes be harmful. Personalized medical guidance is essential.

If you are experiencing unexplained hair loss, sudden shedding, thinning hair, bald patches, scalp discomfort, or changes in your hair’s density, this episode will help you understand which questions to ask and why a thorough, evidence-based investigation matters.

Freedom Clinic Toronto has been helping people with hair loss, scalp conditions, trichology, hair restoration, and non-surgical hair replacement since 1978. Its multidisciplinary team provides personalized solutions based on each client’s individual needs.

Listen to Let’s Talk About It with Kelly for honest conversations about hair loss, trichology, scalp health, wellness, confidence, and the health concerns people are often afraid to discuss.

Follow the podcast and share this episode with anyone searching for reliable information about blood tests, vitamin deficiencies, thyroid health, iron levels, or unexplained hair loss.

Please note: This podcast is for general educational purposes only. It does not provide a diagnosis, recommend a specific set of tests, or replace personalized medical care. Blood tests should be ordered and interpreted by a qualified healthcare professional familiar with your complete health history.

#BloodWorkForHairLoss #HairLossBloodTests #HairLossPodcast #HairLossCauses #IronDeficiency #FerritinAndHairLoss #ThyroidHairLoss #VitaminD #VitaminB12 #HormonalHairLoss #FemaleHairLoss #MaleHairLoss #TelogenEffluvium #ThinningHair #HairShedding #Trichology #ClinicalTrichologist #FreedomClinicToronto