Know that if you do have any form of hair loss, it is important to investigate what the cause is.
Hair loss associated with hormone imbalances are as follows:
Low Thyroid: Poor Hair quality; diffuse hair loss over all head, thinning hair along the temples, low body hair and loss of hair on the outer 1/3 corners of eyebrows. Hair may be brittle and break at any length.
Low estrogen, progesterone and low testosterone: In menopausal women, low hormone levels can cause thinning seen on the top/crown of head or diffuse loss.
Excess testosterone causing high DHT levels (androgens): hair thinning or loss on the front of the head.
Male pattern baldness: low testosterone – hair that is thin with long hair and no bald areas (low testosterone with low DHT levels) or smaller hair follicles with some bald areas (low testosterone with high DHT levels).
Cortisol deficiency: bald patches or hair loss in plaques.
Hair loss associated with nutritional deficiencies are due to:
- Iron deficiency: hair loss seen on the front of the head
- Zinc deficiency
- Vitamin A, B or D deficiencies
- Omega 3 or 6
- Biotin
- Amino acids or protein deficiency.
Hair loss associated with conditions, toxins or infections:
- Fungal infection: white plaque or flakes with circular hair loss
- Chemotherapy-related hair loss
- Psoriasis
Know that if you do have any form of hair loss, it is important to investigate what the cause is. Simply getting a blood test for a full thyroid panel, testing your male/female hormones, vitamins D, B and iron along with a blood count may show any imbalances or deficiencies. Getting a hair mineral analysis from a reliable company can show mineral imbalances that are at the cellular level that may be affecting your hormones and hair quality. Treating any underlying infections can also restore hair.
Know that the hair cycle can take 3 months or longer to see result once the underlying cause is treated. There are so many treatments and supplements, topical creams, serums and vitamins that claim they will help with regrowth but if you don’t treat the underlying cause, you may be wasting your time and money. FBN
By Christina Kovalik
Dr. Christina Kovalik NMD, LAc, The Vitality Doctor, is a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist specializing in hormone optimization, optimal health and vitality. She is a new Flagstaff resident, practicing since 2004, and opened her second location in Doney Park in 2020. For more information, visit thevitalitydoctor.com or call 928-863-6086.
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