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Concerned about Hair Loss?
Have you noticed an increasing number of hairs in your sink
or hairbrush? Are you beginning to see more of your scalp
when you look in the mirror? If
so, you are not alone! Millions
of men and women experience
hair loss as they age, sometimes
starting as early as their 20s or
30s. Depending on the reason
for your hair loss, you may be
able to reverse it or at least slow
it down.
First, let’s recognize that some
hair loss is normal. Hair experts
estimate that a loss of approximately 50 to 150 strands of
hair per day represents normal
shedding for the human hair
growth cycle. So, some hair in
the sink or shower is nothing to
be alarmed about. Sudden hair
loss, or thinning hair over your
entire head (and possibly other
parts of your body), or clumps
of hair falling out are considered unusual, and should be
discussed with your healthcare
practitioner. Depending on the
severity of your symptoms, he
or she may recommend seeing a
dermatologist or a hair specialist, known as a trichologist.
The fear of losing more hair is
usually what prompts people
to seek medical attention. Although some people may be
driven by vanity, for others
hair loss is devastating to their
self-esteem. This seems especially true for women. In The
Hormone Solution: Stay Younger
Longer, Dr. Thierry Hertoghe
notes that a hormone imbalance
is just as likely to feed fear and
erode self-confidence as it is to
contribute to hair loss. He says,
“Addressing any imbalance will
not only improve the situation
on top of your head, but within
it as well.”
Possible Causes
Because hair cells are replenished more quickly and
visibly than most other cells,
the condition of your hair is
like a barometer of your overall
Healthy Hair
health. Sudden or excessive hair
loss can indicate an underlying
problem, such as a vitamin or
mineral deficiency, a hormone
imbalance, a toxicity brought on
by something in your environment, or too much stress in your
life.
Sometimes the cause for the hair
loss can be treated or eliminated, resulting in new hair growth
and healthier hair. Those individuals who have a genetic
predisposition for early or excessive hair loss may not be able
to fight it, but they can at least
try to slow it down by being
aware of factors that affect hair
health.
Thinning Hair
Patchy Hair Loss
Hair loss can take a variety of forms, including thinning hair as a result
of excessive hair loss, or circular bald patches that appear where clumps
of hair have fallen out. Any excessive hair loss should be mentioned to
your healthcare practitioner, as it may be a sign of a medical condition
or nutritional deficiency.
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Hair Conditions and Possible Factors
The follwoing conditions may precede or occur in conjunction with hair loss. Paying attention to
your hair condition and treating early symptoms may allow you to prevent or slow down hair loss.
Dry, brittle hair nProtein deficiency, possibly due to poor protein digestion
nEssential fatty acid deficiency
nDeficiencies in vitamin A, sulfur, silicon, or zinc
nImbalance involving thyroid hormones
Oily hair nEssential fatty acid deficiency
nDeficiencies in zinc, vitamin B6, riboflavin, or folic acid
Coarse hair nVitamin A deficiency and possible hypothyroidism (vitamin A
metabolism requires adequate levels of thyroid hormones)
nProtein deficiency
Split ends or untamed hair nIron deficiency
nDeficiencies in vitamin B6, magnesium, or zinc
Loss of texture or shine nEssential fatty acid deficiency
nDeficiencies in vitamin B6, magnesium, or zinc
nImbalance involving growth hormone
Premature graying nUsually related to stress
nHormone imbalance (probably related to stress)
nDeficiencies in B vitamins, sulfur, copper, or folic acid
nImbalance involving testosterone, growth hormone, or ACTH
(a pituitary hormone)
Scalp disorders nFungal infection, accelerated by a high carbohydrate diet
nDisruption of local and systemic immunity
nAggravated by stress
nEssential fatty acid deficiency
nDeficiencies in B vitamins, zinc, biotin, selenium, or copper
(especially if sensitive to the sun)
Excessive hair loss nPoor blood flow or poor circulation to the scalp
nDeficiencies in protein, essential fatty acids, B vitamins,
silicon, and zinc
nImbalance involving thyroid, growth hormone
(especially if hair loss is all over), or ACTH
Patchy hair loss nMetal poisoning
nDeficiencies in folic acid and zinc
nImbalance involving ACTH or cortisol
Pubic or armpit hair loss nImbalance involving DHEA
Hair loss on top of head nImbalance involving cortisol, estrogens, progesterone, or testosterone
Balding all over the head nImbalance involving thyroid hormones, DHEA, or estrogens
(dandruff, seborrhea, psoriasis)
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Different hair conditions such
as dandruff or breakage— prior
to or in conjunction with hair
loss—can be early warning signals for a variety of different
problems or deficiencies (see
chart on page 2). For example,
coarse or brittle hair may indicate low thyroid function. Scalp
disorders such as dandruff,
seborrhea, or psoriasis may indicate a fungal infection that has
been accelerated by nutritional
deficiencies.
therapy, and others. Limiting
or eliminating your exposure to
these toxins and harsh products
should be one of the first things
to try if you have excessive hair
loss.
In addition, environmental conditions and harsh hair products
can damage healthy hair and
accelerate hair loss brought on
by other factors. For example,
heavy metals and toxic chemicals can build up in your system
and interfere with your body’s
absorption of nutrients or production of hormones. (In fact,
hair testing is one of the EPA’s
means of testing for toxins.)
Many people also participate
in hobbies or have occupations
that expose them to toxins, including painting, arts and crafts,
landscaping or gardening (unless you are careful to use only
organic products), electrical work, soldering, radiation
Various diseases and medical conditions can also lead to
thinning hair or bald patches.
Thyroid disease (discussed
below) is one of the most common explanations for hair loss.
It may also occur with diabetes
and autoimmune diseases such
as lupus and HIV. Sudden, severe hair loss may indicate a
liver dysfunction or other serious illness, so it is wise to bring
it to the attention of your healthcare practitioner.
Many of the ingredients listed
in shampoos, conditioners, and
other hair treatments are known
allergenics. These ingredients
can cause dermatitis in some
people, and may even be toxic.
Medical Conditions
Parasites, such as ringworm,
and fungal or yeast infections
can also cause hair loss. If left
untreated, these conditions can
rob the body of nutrients by
preventing the proper absorption of proteins, vitamins, and
minerals necessary for healthy
hair. Recognizing and treating
an infection, especially a scalp
infection, is critical to preventing total hair loss.
People often lose some hair
about 2 to 4 months after the
start of a severe or prolonged
illness, or major surgery. This
type of hair loss is most likely
due to the stress of the illness or
surgery and is also temporary,
with hair returning as the body
heals and regains its balance.
Hair loss due to chemotherapy
is also usually temporary, with
new hair beginning to grow
once the treatment is stopped.
Women typically lose some of
their hair shortly after pregnancy and during menopause, most
likely as a result of changing
hormone levels. Most healthcare
practitioners will first explore
hormone imbalance as a possible cause for hair loss, if there
is no other obvious explanation.
Fortunately, when this proves to
be true, hormone treatments can
usually reverse the trend.
Prescription Drugs
Depending on the reason
for your hair loss, you may
be able to reverse it or at
least slow it down.
Many different prescription
drugs identify hair loss as a potential side-effect. If it is listed,
some people may be affected, while others are not, due
to subtle differences in body
chemistry.
Medications known to promote hair loss include many
commonly prescribed drugs, including birth control pills, blood
thinners, those that lower cholesterol, antidepressants,
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anticonvulsants, and drugs
for high blood pressure, to
name just a few.
Nutrition and Digestion
Healthy hair requires good
nutrition, involving a wide
variety of vitamins, trace
minerals, amino acids, and
essential fatty acids (see chart
on page 2). As a result, poor
nutrition will have a fairly
immediate and obvious effect
on hair health. Starvation dieting, rapid weight loss, and
eating disorders often trigger
some hair breakage or hair
loss.
Sometimes just introducing
different foods into your diet,
such as eating a lot of fried
food over a period of days
when you’re not used to it,
can change the appearance
and health of your hair.
Dr. Cass Ingram explains that
the vegetable oils commonly
used to fry foods can block
the absorption of compounds
critical to hair health. Dr. Jonathan Wright concurs, saying
that “margarine and hydrogenated fats are detrimental
to fatty acid metabolism and
should be strictly avoided.”
Healthy hair requires the
proper combination of vitamins, minerals, and trace
elements. For example, hair
loss can result from too much
vitamin A, not enough iron
(anemia), low levels of zinc,
and a host of other deficiencies or excesses. The difficulty
in providing proper nutritional balance is hinted at by
the number of nutrients identified in the chart on page 2.
Healthy hair requires good
nutrition, involving a wide
variety of vitamins, trace
minerals, amino acids, and
essential fatty acids.
Dr. Hertoghe provides more
specific information in his
book regarding the various nutrients required and
the recommended doses for
maintaining healthy hair.
Improper digestion is another factor that can contribute
to hair loss. Dr. Wright explains that a lack of pepsin
(an enzyme essential for protein digestion) will interfere
with the absorption of key
nutrients. According to Dr.
Ingram, “To have healthy
hair, all eight essential amino acids are required. The
hair, being mostly protein,
will readily reflect poor protein status.” Many elderly
people have problems with
digestion, which can accelerate age-related hair loss.
Hormones
Women often report hair
loss as a result of a change
in hormone balance, such as
occurs with pregnancy and
menopause.
People who lose hair during
a period of hormonal imbalance may be particularly
sensitive to changes in their
hormone levels, even though
their hormone test results
may fall within the “normal”
range. This is especially true
of thyroid hormones.
Hair loss is often associated
with a thyroid problem and
is typically one of the first
clues that your thyroid gland
may not be working properly. Ironically, hair loss is
associated with both an excess (hyperthyroidism) and a
deficiency (hypothyroidism)
of thyroid hormones.
One of the possible explanations for hair loss associated
with low thyroid function
has to do with the drop in
body temperature that is
typical of hypothyroidism.
Even a slightly lower body
temperature can slow or stop
body processes, including
the chemical reactions that
stimulate hair growth.
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ACTH: Circular, patchy hair loss; balding, hair
turning gray or white
balance to keep your hair
healthy. See the chart on
page 5 for a summary of additional hormones known
to have an impact on hair
growth and loss.
Cortisol: Patchy hair loss; in women, hair loss
on top of head; unwanted body hair
Treatments
DHEA: Balding all over the head; in women,
hair loss in pubic area or armpits
Estrogens: Balding all over the head; in women,
hair loss on top of head; unwanted
body hair
Hormone Imbalances Related to Hair Health
(adapted from Hertoghe)
Growth Hormone: Thin, wispy hair; hair that has lost its
wave, body, or shine; hair thinning on
top of head; hair loss around the ears;
graying hair
Progesterone: Balding on top of the head; in women,
hair loss on top of head; unwanted
body hair
Testosterone: Balding on top of the head; graying hair; in men, losing body hair on
abdomen, legs, chest, and having a
sparse beard
Thyroid Hormones: Dry, brittle, slow-growing hair; balding
all over the head
Dr. Hertoghe reports that
women who experience
hair loss on the top of their
heads (a pattern that is usually more common in men),
tend to have deficiencies in
estrogen hormones and progesterone. He also suggests
that low cortisol is another
factor to consider, because
that deficiency can lead to
an excess in DHEA and testosterone, which suppresses
production of estrogens and
progesterone. He also notes
that it is often an imbalance
among the sex hormones
(testosterone, progesterone,
and the estrogens) that leads
to hair loss, rather than an
excess or deficiency of one
specific hormone.
Almost any hormone imbalance can have an effect on
hair health because of the intricate relationships that exist
among the various hormones
that regulate and control our
body functions.
Hormones affect the absorption of nutrients, the body’s
growth processes, and nearly all aspects of health, so it
is important to pursue and
maintain optimum hormone
The hair loss treatment industry is booming, along
with the aging baby boomers. Unfortunately, many of
the so-called treatments are
scams that simply do not
work. There is no “quick fix”
to natural hair recovery.
There are two FDAapproved drugs for
treating hair loss. The first is
Rogaine® (minoxidil), which
appears to work by increasing circulation to the scalp.
It is available without a prescription and can be used
by men and women. The
second is Propecia® (finasteride), which is a smaller dose
of a drug called Proscar®,
which is used for treating an
enlarged prostate.
Rogaine seems to work for
some people, but must be
used continuously to maintain results.
Propecia also seems to promote hair growth for some
men (it is not recommended
for women, and does not appear to work for women).
However, serious and irreversible side effects affecting
sexual function, emotional
well-being and memory loss
are coming to light, resulting in class action lawsuits in
Israel and Canada, so it is a
dangerous tradeoff.
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References
Topical hormone treatments show some promise for treating hair loss. Some practitioners
are now requesting pharmacies to add progesterone to shampoos, and there is research
suggesting that melatonin in shampoo may
also help reduce hair loss and foster new hair
growth. A European study suggests that topical
application of estrogen could also be a possible
treatment for pattern baldness in both men and
women.
nThe Hormone Solution: Stay Younger Longer by Thierry Hertoghe, MD; Harmony
Books; New York, NY; 2002.
nHow to Eat Right and Live Longer by Cass
Ingram, MD; Knowledge House Publishers; Buffalo Grove, IL; 2001.
nDr. Wright’s Guide to Healing with Nutrition
by Jonathan V. Wright, MD; Keats Publishing; New Canaan, CT; 1993.
Most treatments that deal with hair loss, especially hormone therapies, tend to work very
slowly. Although you may feel other beneficial effects from the treatment relatively soon,
new hair growth may take months. While you
are undergoing treatment, Dr. Hertoghe recommends against the temptation to wear a wig
because it “slows down the blood flow to the
scalp, preventing full effectiveness of the helpful hormones.”
n”Adverse Side Effects of 5-alpha-Reductase Inhibitors Therapy: Persistent
Diminished Libido and Erectile Dysfunction and Depression in a Subset of
Patients” by A.M. Traish, PhD, et al; The
Journal of Sexual Medicine; Volume 8, Issue
3, March 2011.
Conclusion
Most hair loss can be corrected if the cause can
be identified—and the sooner, the better—but
proper testing is essential. Guessing based on
symptoms can make matters worse or lead to
a misdiagnosis because an excess of a nutrient
or hormone can sometimes generate the same
symptoms as a deficiency. Work with your
healthcare practitioner to determine the cause,
and you are more likely to find an effective
treatment.
Connections is a publication of Women’s International Pharmacy, which is dedicated to the education and management of PMS, menopause, infertility, postpartum depression, and other hormone-related conditions and therapies.
This publication is distributed with the understanding that it does not constitute medical advice for individual problems.
Although material is intended to be accurate, please seek proper medical advice from a competent healthcare professional.
Publisher: Constance Kindschi Hegerfeld, Executive VP, Women’s International Pharmacy
Co-Editors: Julie Johnson and Carol Petersen, RPh, CNP; Women’s International Pharmacy
Writer: Kathleen McCormick, McCormick Communications Illustrator: Amelia Janes, Midwest Educational Graphics
Copyright © October 2013, Women’s International Pharmacy. This newsletter may not be reproduced or distributed
without the permission of Women’s International Pharmacy.
®
For more information, please visit www.womensinternational.com or call (800) 279-5708.
Women’s International Pharmacy | Madison, WI 53718 | Youngtown, AZ 85363
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