Losing your hair, especially as a female, is traumatic. For reasons of vanity, obviously, but then also because it's something that you feel you have absolutely no control over. This problem affects millions of women leading to depression, anxiety, a loss of self-esteem and withdrawal from friends, family and daily activities. Losing your hair can mean losing your vitality and lust for life-it's never something that should be taken lightly by your health care provider. Any sudden hair loss should be taken seriously. Some physicians might say: "It's because you're getting older" or "It's because of your hormones," but if you think you're losing hair, your physician had better listen, because most likely, you are.
The most important issue for the successful treatment of hair loss is to determine the cause, of which there are many. Even the pattern of hair loss can help to establish the root source. For example, women may lose hair from the crown of the head-similar to male pattern baldness-with an elevation of testosterone levels whereas nutritional deficiencies may cause generalized hair loss over the whole head. Let's look at a few of the possible causes and some options for proper treatment and assessment.
Causes of hair loss
Pattern baldness or permanent hair loss is simply the result of genetic programming. Increased hair shedding or temporary hair loss can be caused by a host of different reasons. Some of these reasons include poor nutrition and diet, genes, hormones, age, medications such as chemotherapy, radiation treatment, infections, stress, chemicals used for certain hairstyles, and rapid weight loss. Certain illnesses and diseases can also cause hair loss or hair shedding. Examples include anemia, low thyroid hormone levels, lupus, and sometimes cancer. In most of these cases, hair loss is not permanent.
Proper assessment is key
In all cases of hair loss, it's also important to ensure that the following blood tests are completed by your doctor:
1. TSH, free T3, free T4, and thyroid antibodies to assess thyroid gland function. All should be completed to properly diagnose a thyroid condition that may result in excessive hair loss. (Note: Optimally, your TSH should be less than 2.5).
2. Ferritin (This is the storage form of iron. Low iron (<70) is a very common cause of hair loss).
3. Vitamin B12 and folic acid (either of these nutrients in low levels may cause hair loss).
4. Copper and zinc (excess copper relative to zinc may result in hair loss).
5. Dihydrotestosterone (high levels of this hormone is related to hair loss in both men and women).
6. Progesterone and estradiol (low levels of estrogen may cause an increase in hair loss).
7. DHEAs and cortisol (High levels of cortisol or low DHEAs may contribute to hair loss).
8. Free and total testosterone (high levels of testosterone in women may accelerate hair loss).
9. Biotin (a deficiency of biotin can cause progressive hair loss).
Treatment Options for You
1. Diet
Hair loss on a low carbohydrate diet is not as uncommon as you might think. This type of diet often removes many of the whole grains that are high in B vitamins and other nutrients necessary for healthy hair growth. Hair loss can occur and sometimes dropping weight too quickly or participating in a fad diet that is not nutritionally sound can cause imbalances in the body, resulting in increased hair shedding. Following a healthy weight-loss program can prevent this from happening. The Hormone Diet, which is balanced in protein, carbohydrate and healthy fats may help to prevent such nutritional deficiencies.
2. Supplements
Hair problems that are caused by nutritional deficiencies can be corrected by a proper diet as well as supplements. The principal nutrients that are involved with healthy hair growth include vitamin A, certain B vitamins, the vitamin biotin, vitamin C, the minerals copper, iron, and zinc, as well as sufficient protein intake and water.
Vitamin B6, B12, folic acid
All three of these B vitamins are essential to the normal formation of red blood cells or the hemoglobin (iron-containing) portion of red blood cells. The primary function of hemoglobin is to carry oxygen from the lungs to tissues in the body, including the hair. Healthy and strong hair is dependent on a constant supply of blood and oxygen. A deficiency of these B vitamins can cause reduced blood and oxygen supply to the hair, leading to increased hair shedding, damaged hair, and slow re-growth.
Biotin
For people who eat a healthy diet, biotin deficiency is rare. Besides getting biotin from select food sources, biotin is also manufactured in our intestines by "friendly" bacteria. In rare instances though, biotin deficiency can cause hair loss. The reference daily intake for biotin is 300mcg for the average adult. You may want to consider a separate supplement of this.
Vitamin C
A vitamin C deficiency can cause the hair to be susceptible to problematic splitting and breaking. Usually this only occurs with severe deficiency and can be reversed when vitamin C intake is increased. Vitamin C is essential to producing collagen, a connective tissue that gives structure by holding tissues in the body together, such as the tissue in hair. The reference daily intake for vitamin C is 60mg for the average adult. People who smoke need twice as much vitamin C as nonsmokers. Many of my patients take 1000mg two to four times daily.
Copper
Copper is a trace mineral that is essential for the formation of hemoglobin and is needed to carry oxygen in red blood cells. Hemoglobin is necessary for the maintenance of an adequate supply of blood to the hair shaft. A deficiency of copper can weaken the hair shaft and cause increased hair shedding. A deficiency rarely comes from not getting enough copper in the diet; instead, it usually comes from genetic problems or from too much zinc in the diet. Excess zinc from dietary supplements can inhibit the absorption of copper in the body. The reference daily intake of copper is 2mg for the average adult.
Iron
Iron's main job is to carry oxygen in the hemoglobin of red blood cells. Iron deficiency can lead to a condition called anemia and to possible hair loss or increased hair shedding. Anemia can be easily diagnosed with a blood test and is characterized by fatigue, weakness and general poor health. Anemia can be caused by more than just iron deficiency. The reference daily intake for iron is 18mg. The recommended daily allowance of iron increases during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
Zinc
Dandruff and hair loss are both conditions associated with zinc deficiency. Zinc is a mineral that promotes cell reproduction and tissue growth and repair. Zinc also functions in the maintenance of the oil-secreting glands attached to hair follicles. The reference daily intake of zinc is 15mg for the average adult.
A note about absorption:
Hydrochloric acid (HCL)
Many women may lose hair because of low hydrochloric acid (HCL) levels in the stomach. Low levels of HCL negatively affect nutrient absorption, particularly vitamin B12, biotin and iron, all of which are essential for healthy hair growth and red blood cell production. An HCL supplement taken just before or during meals may be of benefit or taken at the same time as your supplements will help to ensure their absorption. Individuals who have allergies, eczema, aging populations, and hypothyroid patients are more susceptible to low levels of HCL.
If you have hair loss, be proactive, there are many solutions available to you.
No comments:
Post a Comment