Hair loss is often associated with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. It is thought that certain problems caused by diabetes may result in hair loss, including an immune system disorder called alopecia areata, poor circulation, and high blood sugar.
People with type 1 diabetes are more likely to have a condition called alopecia areata. With alopecia areata, the immune system attacks the hair follicles, leading to the loss of patches of hair on the head and other parts of the body.
Growing hair after experiencing hair loss due to diabetes is possible, but it can take longer than you might wish.
In alopecia areata, the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, causing inflammation. Researchers do not fully understand what causes the immune attack on hair follicles, but they believe that both genetic and environmental (non-genetic) factors play a role.
Maintaining balanced blood sugar levels is the most important way to protect blood vessel health and reduce the risk of experiencing hair loss from damaged blood vessels. This means eating a healthy diet, regular physical activity, and taking medication to control glucose if your doctor prescribes it.
In some people, diabetes can cause hair thinning or hair loss. The primary causes of hair loss in people with diabetes are uncontrolled blood sugar levels, emotional and physical stress, and hormone imbalances.
Doctors prescribe metformin to treat high levels of blood sugar and insulin in people with type 2 diabetes or PCOS. In rare cases, there may be a link between hair loss and taking metformin. It is also possible that metformin may cause hair loss indirectly.
Asthma, hay fever, atopic dermatitis, thyroid disease, vitiligo, or Down syndrome: Research shows that people who have one of these diseases are more likely to get alopecia areata.
This is also called androgenetic alopecia. MedlinePlus identifies a number of additional medical conditions that may cause this type of hair loss. These include high blood pressure, heart disease, prostate cancer, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Alopecia areata is sometimes triggered by viral infections such as influenza that causes excess production of interferons (IFN). IFN- γ is one of the key factors that lead to the collapse of immune privilege.
Biotin supplements have been shown to improve blood sugar control in people with diabetes. Consequently, supplementing with biotin could reduce blood sugar levels in people with taking insulin, potentially resulting in abnormally low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia).
Anyone with type 1 or type 2 diabetes should have their thyroid levels checked once per year to ensure they aren't developing hypo- or hyperthyroid disease. Especially common in patients with type 1 diabetes, hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disease that can cause significant hair loss.
Your diet may be the culprit. Hair loss is often caused by genetic factors. Androgenic alopecia, also called male or female pattern baldness, is a very common condition that is largely hereditary. But diet and nutrition can also contribute to increased hair loss.
Metformin has been shown to support hair growth in people who had PCOS and were being treated with it. In general, metformin does not exert a direct effect on hair, but may promote healthy hair by supporting normal glucose and insulin levels.
It is believed that the person's genetic makeup may trigger the autoimmune reaction of alopecia areata, along with a virus or a substance the person comes into contact with. Alopecia areata is an unpredictable disease. In some people, hair grows back but falls out again later. In others, hair grows back and remains.
There is no cure for AA. While treatments may promote hair growth, new patches of hair loss may continue to appear. The treatments are not a cure. Only the body, itself, can eventually turn off the condition.
A variety of factors are thought to cause alopecia areata (al-o-PEE-she-uh ar-e-A-tuh), possibly including severe stress. With alopecia areata, the body's immune system attacks the hair follicles — causing hair loss.
Female-pattern baldness is a pattern of hair loss (alopecia) caused by hormones, aging and genetics. Unlike male-pattern baldness, female-pattern baldness is an over-all thinning which maintains the normal hairline.
Most people know alopecia to be a form of hair loss. However, what they don't always know is that there are three main types of the condition – alopecia areata, alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis.
Metformin isn't a known cause of hair loss. However, the conditions treated by metformin — type 2 diabetes and PCOS — often list hair loss as a possible symptom. Therefore, your hair loss might be caused by the underlying condition as opposed to the treatment.
Metformin is a common drug for the treatment of diabetes. If you successfully manage your diabetes to remission, it's possible to stop taking metformin. Lifestyle and dietary changes can help you manage your blood sugar levels and possibly reach diabetes remission.
Risks of stopping metformin
If left untreated, high blood glucose levels can lead to complications, such as: impaired vision, or diabetic retinopathy. kidney problems, or diabetic nephropathy. nerve damage, or diabetic neuropathy.
An A1C of 6.5% or higher indicates diabetes. Dangerous levels of A1C are 9% and higher. An A1C above 9% increases the risk of long-term diabetes complications like blindness, nerve damage, and kidney failure. 1 Under 7% is considered good diabetes control.