Hair Loss
A window into internal health. Hair loss signals something is off— thyroid dysfunction, iron deficiency, hormonal imbalance, or stress. The pattern and timing of hair loss often points to the cause. Root cause treatment can restore growth.
Types of Hair Loss
Telogen Effluvium
Diffuse shedding. Stress, illness, surgery, childbirth. Reversible in 3-6 months.
Androgenic Alopecia
Pattern baldness. DHT sensitive. Genetic component. Progressive but treatable.
Alopecia Areata
Patchy loss. Autoimmune. Round spots. Often regrows. Stress trigger.
Thyroid-Related
Hypo or hyper. Diffuse thinning. Hair dry/brittle. Corrects with treatment.
Iron Deficiency
Even without anemia. Ferritin should be 70+. Common in women.
Nutritional
Protein, zinc, biotin, B12. Crash diets common cause. Takes months.
Testing to Consider
Full Thyroid Panel
TSH, Free T4, Free T3, TPO antibodies. Not just TSH.
Ferritin
Iron storage. Optimal 70-100. Lab "normal" too low for hair.
Vitamin D
Hair follicle receptors. 40-60 ng/mL optimal.
Zinc
Often low. Hair structure protein. RBC zinc more accurate.
Hormones
DHEA-S, testosterone, DHT. Especially for pattern loss.
B12
Hair growth requires. Vegans at risk. Check MMA too.
Supporting Hair Growth
Address Root Cause
Thyroid, iron, stress. No supplement fixes wrong cause.
Protein Intake
Hair is keratin protein. 0.8-1g per kg minimum.
Biotin
Hair, skin, nails. 2500-5000mcg. Interferes with thyroid labs.
Iron (if low)
With vitamin C. Ferritin goal 70+. Test don't guess.
Manage Stress
Cortisol shifts hair to shedding phase. Adaptogens, meditation.
Patience
Hair cycle is 3-6 months. Results take time. Stay consistent.