Vitamin D Vitamin D deficiency can manifest as dry, brittle hair that breaks easily. Moderate to excessive shedding and thinning hair may also occur. Studies have even proven that low levels of vitamin D are also responsible for premature graying.
Vitamin D is essential for creating the cells that develop into hair follicles. It also supports healthy bones and your immune system. If you have hair loss and low vitamin D levels, your doctor may recommend vitamin D supplements.
Only riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12 deficiencies have been associated with hair loss.
Have a healthy diet rich in nutrients that are good for hair, such as iron and biotin. Steer clear of excessive heat styling and use gentle shampoos. FDA-approved treatments like finasteride and minoxidil may be helpful, but before using either, speak with a doctor. To add volume, strategically style your hair.
Nutritional deficiencies
Extreme diets that are too low in protein or certain vitamins, such as iron, can sometimes cause excessive hair shedding. A person should contact a doctor for a blood test to check whether they have a nutritional deficiency that could be causing their hair to fall out.
Among the common causes are high fevers, childbirth, severe infections, severe chronic illness, severe psychological stress, major surgery or illnesses, over or under active thyroid gland, crash diets with inadequate protein, and a variety of medications.
When deficiency disrupts vitamin D in your scalp, the anagen (growth) phase shortens. This prematurely pushes more resting follicles into the telogen (rest) phase. Excessive shedding occurs, resulting in thinner hair. Research clearly demonstrates this link.
You might be able to reverse hair loss, or at least slow it. With some conditions, such as patchy hair loss (alopecia areata), hair may regrow without treatment within a year. Treatments for hair loss include medications and surgery.
Severe and prolonged hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause loss of hair. The loss is diffuse and involves the entire scalp rather than discrete areas. The hair appears uniformly sparse.
Biotin (Vitamin B7)
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy hair. It aids in the production of keratin, a protein that forms the structural foundation of hair. Biotin supplementation can lead to improved hair thickness and reduced hair shedding.
In both reported cases, treatment with 50,000 IU vitamin D3 for 6 weeks and 3 months, respectively, followed by 1,000 IU/daily as a maintenance dose, resulted in noticeable hair regrowth and resolved the deficiency state. In both cases, the patients received no other topical or systemic treatment.
Androgenic alopecia is generally used to describe female pattern hair loss, it is the most common cause of hair loss in women. It usually occurs after menopause because of an excess of androgens (“male hormones”) such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) caused by rapidly decreasing estrogen.
A visible scalp through your hair can be a sign that it's thinning (but not always). The factors that contribute to thinning hair (and thus a visible scalp) include stress, diet, vitamin deficiency and ageing.
Essential Blood Tests for Hair Loss
Vitamin B12 Test– Check for vitamin B12 deficiency, which can cause brittle hair and hair loss. People who follow strict vegetarian or vegan diets or have digestive issues and those over 60 years old must take the Vitamin B12 test.
Where might a person itch with thyroid problems? Itching can occur anywhere on the body, but often occurs in crevices such as the armpits, elbows, and groin.
1. Traditional Eggs or Egg Muffin Cups. Eggs are a great source of not only iodine but also selenium, another crucial nutrient for thyroid health. Pastured eggs contain more nutrients than conventional eggs.
It's typical to lose some hair every day as part of your hair's usual growth cycle. For most people, the lost hair grows back, and you maintain a full head of hair. But illness, hormonal changes, stress, aging and inherited conditions can interfere with your hair's growth cycle.
Low iron levels can lead to hair loss. Iron deficiency can trigger a condition called telogen effluvium, which increases hair shedding and limits hair growth. Iron deficiency hair loss can be reversed if you get your iron levels back to normal. Oral iron supplements can help replenish your body's iron stores.
Vitamin D toxicity, although rare, can occur from high intake of supplements over an extended period. This toxicity can result in a range of health issues, including hair loss, as the body struggles to regulate the nutrient's effects on various bodily systems.