Before you start looking for a miracle shampoo or magical fairy dust online for your vanishing hair, let’s take a moment to dissect this issue. If your hair sucks and it is breaking off and you don’t have over-processed hair then it may be time to see a doctor. No special shampoo is going to fix this. I am going to walk you through some health issues that may pertain to you and guide you to the right tests to request from your doctor. If you have hair breakage or hair loss, you need to get some blood work done. Below is a list of what to look for.
- Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D deficiencies are actually fairly common. Even living in a sunny state, you cannot always get enough vitamin D. Even if you have a super healthy and strict diet, you still may not be getting enough. For some, deficiencies are caused by malabsorption from leaky gut, celiac disease or other inflammatory bowel issues that can cause damage. Low vitamin D can cause hair loss, infertility, depression, bone pain and a weak immune system. If you are critically low, it may take at least a month to get balanced. It is important to see your levels in case you need a prescription strength supplement. Most doctors do not test your D levels so ask specifically and then get a copy of your labs for records and to make sure. Sometimes, “Everything looks good, you’re fine” or “it’s probably stress” is not true. Check the damn D!
- Thyroid Disorders
Hair doesn’t grow continuously; it goes through cycles. One of the phases in the hair cycle is telogen, during which hair sheds and is replaced by new growth. Shedding hair is a natural process, and the cycle is typically balanced by new hair. However, stress or illness can cause hair to remain in the resting phase, temporarily halting growth. The human hair cycle lasts about 7 months, so it can take some time before changes in hair growth become noticeable.
Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can lead to hair loss. The key to managing hair loss caused by thyroid issues is treating the underlying thyroid condition.
It’s also important to note that if a shampoo promises to make your hair “detox” or grow back dramatically, it’s likely not effective. There is no magical product that will suddenly make your hair grow back tenfold. If you experience significant hair shedding after using a product like this, it’s best to discard it and consult a professional.
Normal hair shedding is typically 50-100 strands per day. If you have thick or dense hair, it’s normal to shed more than average. Similarly, if you haven’t brushed or shampooed your hair in a while, you may notice more shedding once you do. Everyone has their own baseline shedding amount, so it’s important to track your normal. If you notice an increase in shedding or if your normal pattern changes, it may be a sign that something is affecting your health, and it could be worth discussing with a healthcare provider.
- Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune Diseases are unfortunately not understood enough by doctors. Hopefully, in the future we will have more research and more answers but at the moment, a lot of doctors do not really understand how they work. Rheumatologists typically handle autoimmune diseases. If you are suspicious that you have an autoimmune disease, ask your primary care physician for an ANA blood test, which tests antinuclear antibodies. If you are ANA positive you can then be referred to a rheumatologist. However, most rheumatologists just prescribe. No one seems to wonder WHY is my body freaking out and attacking itself? I personally believe autoimmune diseases are caused by something such as Lyme Disease, malabsorption due to intestinal damage, Epstein Barr Virus, Deficiencies, etc.
- Nutrition
Malabsorption due to intestinal damage, a messed up gut biosphere from processed foods and overprescribed antibiotics, alcohol, sugar, too much bad bacteria and less good bacteria are a few reasons to throw off your gut balance. Do I sound like a broken record? I am sorry, but you are reading this for a reason, right? Think about it… food is nutrition. We eat food and our bodies function from the vitamins and minerals in our food. For example, potassium (found in bananas) helps our heart rhythm. Muscle spasms? That is magnesium. No energy and a headache? Vitamin B. Food helps us function and we are literally putting garbage in our bodies. While you choke down your McDonalds cheeseburger, bag of Doritos, Diet Coke and Zebra Cake, you are filling your veins with sugar, preservatives, aluminum, dyes, artificial flavors, and whatever other fillers and junk that are used to make a cheap snack. Then, we bitch about achey joints and a headaches. Get your body right and treat yourself to the self care you deserve, which is nutrition.
- Iron Deficiency – Anemia
Anemia, particularly caused by iron deficiency, can also lead to hair loss. In addition to hair shedding, common symptoms of anemia include brittle nails, headaches, lethargy, and restless leg syndrome. Anemia occurs when your blood doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your body’s tissues, which can result in fatigue and various other health issues. Addressing the underlying iron deficiency with proper diet or supplementation can help manage these symptoms, including hair loss.
- Hormones
Before you try any “magical” shampoos, know that red clover can mess with your hormones, especially if you already have hormonal issues. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is common with male pattern baldness by shrinking hair follicles. Women’s hormone levels decline as menopause approaches. Men have their peak hair period at the age of 17 and women at the age of 19 and it goes downhill from them.
Now that we have learned a little about the ROOT cause of hair loss (pun intended) we can try to correct these issues and get healthy. I also suggest Biotin for hair help and Vitamin C, which helps with collagen production and our immune system. It also takes time for our body to get in balance so a 30 day program or fad diet will not suffice. It is a lifestyle changing, habit breaking zone you need to get in. Inflammation causes hair loss and our bodies are inflamed from the many inflammatory things we consume. Stay hydrated, eat clean, check your blood work and treat your body right.
