My hair has been falling out like crazy for the past 6 months. I’ve had blood work done and everything came back normal. My doctor said it may be temporary and from stress but it doesn’t seem to be getting any better. – Losing it
Hair loss can be a normal part of celiac and other autoimmune diseases for several reasons; most commonly nutrient deficiencies, stress or infection (viral and bacterial). Viral infections can cause blood iron (ferritin) and other nutrients levels in the blood to drop or increase. The effects of this change are often seen after the infection has cleared, therefore many people do not relate the two. It’s great that you already checked-in with your doctor; the fact that your blood levels are within a normal range is a good indicator that things will be back to normal soon. For anyone else suffering from inexplicable hair loss here is a quick breakdown of causes.
Hormonal imbalances are the most common cause of alopecia. The hair loss can be exacerbated by pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause; happily, hair growth resumes naturally once the hormones have settled.
Thyroid related conditions, both overactive and underactive, can cause hormonal changes that lead to hair loss. Getting your thyroid levels in check can stop the loss and allow your hair to grow back.
Medications such as blood-thinners, oral contraceptives, drugs for depression, anti-inflammatories, beta and calcium channel blockers can all lead to thinning hair or baldness. If the loss coincides with starting a new medication you can talk to your family doctor as they may be able to change the medication or dosage. Often the loss slows or stops altogether once the body adjusts to the new medication.
Stress, trauma, viral and bacterial infections can all cause hair loss, often months after the fact. Stress reduction and time for the body to heal will allow your body to go back to normal once the cause is treated. Be patient, this can take time.
Nutrient deficiencies are another common cause of changes to your hair. Protein, biotin, zinc, and iron are nutrients that are essential to hair growth. A simple blood test can check for nutrient levels, for some people low-normal iron can lead to hair loss a temporary increase in iron in-take can help to even things out. It is important to get these nutrients from food rather than supplements because fresh foods offer a range of nutrients that work synergically to provide the foundation for good health.
Finally over done hair can lead to loss. Over use of hair care products, excessive drying, styling, chemical treatments likes perms and dying can all cause damage to the follicle. If you have celiac disease your scalp may be reactive to gluten containing shampoos and conditioners. While it is considered safe to use such products many people do report skin reactions.
If you are experiencing sudden hair loss or something out of the ordinary, it is always a good idea to check in with your family doctor.
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