Hair loss is a surprisingly common symptom reported by women in clinic, and can understandably cause much distress. While some hair loss is normal, if you feel you are losing extra hair or have noticed your hair has become thinner, there are a few underlying factors which may be contributing.
IRON
Low levels of iron or iron stores (ferritin) are very common in women, and may be relevant to you if you have also been feeling fatigued and have lowered immunity. While the specific way iron causes hair loss is not well established, it has been shown to be deficient in women with hair loss, and I have seen improvements in hair growth when iron levels are improved. You can read more about iron here.
THYROID FUNCTION
Many women have under-active thyroid function, and just having your TSH tested with your GP does not rule out thyroid issues. While your TSH could be in range, your other thyroid hormones (T3 & T4) could be less than ideal. Your thyroid influences many processes in your body including metabolism and how you build up and break down cells (anabolism and catabolism) - including hair cells! It's thought that thyroid hormones have an influence on the hair follicles and subsequent growth cycles. Low iodine, low iron, stress and chemicals can all impact thyroid function over time. While low thyroid function is more commonly seen, increased thyroid function can also result in hair loss - again demonstrating how our bodies like to be in balance!
ZINC
Low zinc levels may also contribute to hair loss. Zinc is essential in many different processes throughout the body, and due to soil depletion of minerals, there is less of this vital mineral in our foods. Vegetarians or those consuming lots of grains and legumes may be more at risk of deficiency - as plant compounds in these foods (phytic acid and lectins) can bind to and reduce zinc absorption. Other signs of zinc deficiency include increased infections, poor skin healing and white spots on nails.
CORTISOL
Excess or low cortisol can impact hair growth and loss. Excess cortisol is produced during more acute stress, while low cortisol can occur after chronic stress - resulting in adrenal fatigue. Cortisol also impairs thyroid function and can contribute to other hormonal imbalances. Stress management is one of the most important tings we can practice daily to support our hair and total body health! A saliva test with multiple samples over one day can give you the best view of your cortisol pattern - which should be high in the morning and low at night.
PROGESTERONE AND ESTROGEN
Low progesterone is a common finding in clinic which can underly hair loss and changes in mood. An imbalance between estrogens, progesterone and testosterone can create a range of symptoms from painful periods, increased PMS, weight gain and hair loss. These imbalances can develop over time from stress, medications, chemicals and a poor diet. Using a saliva test is the best way to assess your hormone levels and work on correcting any imbalances.
**NOTE - Excess hair growth can also be contributed to hormone imbalances, most commonly excess testosterone and insulin resistance. This type of imbalance is common in PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome).
If you'd like to investigate the reasons you are losing hair, I'd love to help you find the cause.
Marion McConnell is a degree qualified Naturopath who helps women with stress, hormone imbalances, anxiety and fatigue. The clinic is located in New Farm Brisbane, and consultations are also available via Skype. You can contact Marion here.