Can vitamin D deficiency cause bald spots?

Author: Mallie Schiller  |  Last update: Wednesday, April 2, 2025

A 2021 review found that low serum vitamin D levels may lead to androgenetic alopecia. Androgenetic alopecia is a common type of hair loss. It is also known as male pattern baldness and female pattern hair loss. Genetics and environmental factors can play a role in the development of androgenetic alopecia.

Does vitamin D deficiency cause bald patches?

Some of the key symptoms signalling low vitamin D levels include hair loss or thinning, fatigue, bone/muscle weakness, frequent sickness, depression and impaired wound healing. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's completely valid to feel concerned.

Is vitamin D baldness reversible?

Early signs of vitamin D-related hair loss include increased shedding, thinning across the scalp, and slower hair growth. With proper diagnosis and treatment, vitamin D-related hair loss can often be reversed, leading to healthier, fuller hair.

What are 5 signs of vitamin D deficiency to not ignore?

Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency may include:
  • Fatigue.
  • Not sleeping well.
  • Bone pain or achiness.
  • Depression or feelings of sadness.
  • Hair loss.
  • Muscle weakness.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Getting sick more easily.

Can lack of vitamin D cause spots?

Some emerging evidence suggests that vitamin D can help with the symptoms of acne for those who have a vitamin D deficiency. Exposure to sunlight is a significant source of vitamin D. People might also get vitamin D from supplements or creams. People with vitamin D deficiencies are more susceptible to acne.

Vitamin D and Hair Loss

What happens to skin when vitamin D is low?

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with the risk of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, and several clinical/observational studies have suggested the beneficial effect of vitamin D in the therapy of these 2 inflammatory skin disorders.

What does B12 acne look like?

High-dose vitamins B6 and B12 have also been linked to rosacea fulminans, a condition that looks like acne. Rosacea is marked by large red bumps and pustules that typically appear on the nose, chin, and/or cheeks.

What are the red flags of vitamin D deficiency?

When vitamin D levels are low and the body isn't able to properly absorb calcium and phosphorus, there is an increased risk of bone pain, bone fractures, muscle pain, and muscle weakness. In older adults, severe vitamin D deficiency (levels less than 10 ng/mL) may also contribute to an increased risk of falls.

How long does it take to fix vitamin D deficiency?

Obesity, polluted environments, and malabsorption syndromes (such as Crohn's disease) are just some factors that can increase the time it takes for vitamin D supplements to increase vitamin D levels. Research has found that vitamin D insufficiency resolved with 12 weeks of weekly high-dose vitamin D.

What blocks vitamin D absorption?

Because vitamin D is fat soluble, its absorption depends on the gut's ability to absorb dietary fat [4]. Fat malabsorption is associated with medical conditions that include some forms of liver disease, cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis [1,63].

How long does vitamin D deficiency take to correct hair loss?

With vitamin d, new hair follicles are able to form, meaning you do not need a hair transplant. You can begin to restore hair growth immediately, with a full recovery time usually taking between 6 and 8 months for those with long hair.

How to increase vitamin D quickly?

Good sources of vitamin D
  1. oily fish – such as salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel.
  2. red meat.
  3. liver (avoid liver if you are pregnant)
  4. egg yolks.
  5. fortified foods – such as some fat spreads and breakfast cereals.

Can you take too much vitamin D?

The main concern of vitamin D toxicity is a buildup of calcium in the blood. This is called hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemia can cause upset stomach and vomiting, weakness, and frequent urination. It also can lead to bone pain and kidney troubles such as kidney stones.

What vitamin am I lacking if my hair is falling out?

Only riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12 deficiencies have been associated with hair loss. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is a component of two important coenzymes: flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) [22].

Can biotin regrow hair?

Despite its popularity in the media and amongst consumers, biotin has no proven efficacy in hair and nail growth of healthy individuals. Only 1 study has shown decreased levels of biotin in healthy individuals, though this data was confounded by multiple factors, including patient history.

What happens if your vitamin D is low for too long?

Vitamin D deficiency can lead to a loss of bone density, which can contribute to osteoporosis and fractures (broken bones). Severe vitamin D deficiency can also lead to other diseases: In children, it can cause rickets. Rickets is a rare disease that causes the bones to become soft and bend.

Can you feel vitamin D working immediately?

So, when it comes to vitamin d deficiency treatments, how long till you start to feel better? Those with the lowest levels should feel an improvement after just a few days, while those who only need to top up their levels may have to wait a week or two before they begin to feel healthier and more energised.

How will I feel if my vitamin D is low?

Fatigue. Bone pain. Muscle weakness, muscle aches or muscle cramps. Mood changes, like depression.

How to flush vitamin D out of system?

But how do you flush vitamin D out of your system – and can you even do that? Yes, by ensuring you consume plenty of water. This will encourage urination, allowing your body to shed the excess vitamin D and calcium more quickly. Prescription diuretics like furosemide can also be helpful.

What to avoid when taking D3?

If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use vitamin D supplements without first talking to your health care provider.
  • Atorvastatin (Lipitor). ...
  • Calcipotriene (Dovonex). ...
  • Calcium channel blockers. ...
  • Corticosteroids (prednisone). ...
  • Digoxin (Lanoxin).

What are the facial signs of B12 deficiency?

The deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause specific skin manifestations, such as hyperpigmentation, vitiligo, angular stomatitis, and hair and nail changes [1].

Can D3 cause acne?

This is due to its anti-inflammatory properties helping to rapidly repair and rejuvenate the skin. However, studies [1] have shown that too much Vitamin D can trigger hormonal acne. This is because excessive amounts of Vitamin D can stimulate testosterone production, which is the primary aggravating hormone for acne.

Can deficiency in B12 cause hair loss?

Vitamin B12 is not synthesized by the body, so it is only provided by food. However, it plays an essential role in the normal functioning of all the cells in the body, particularly those of the hair follicle. Vitamin B12 deficiencies can therefore be a cause of hair loss and must be compensated for.

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