Does Nutrition Affect Hair Loss? Is There a Hormonal Connection?

by Y on September 25, 2007

Does Nutrition Affect Hair Loss? Is There a Hormonal ConnectionI think if you ask 10 different people, you might get 10 different answers. This definitely is a subject of much debate. My opinion is that nutrition certainly does have some effect on hair loss, having said that I don’t think that genetic hair loss can be reversed or stopped simply by nutrition alone, but it makes for a good adjunct. For myself, I’ve attempted to employ strict nutritional perfection for long periods of time in an attempt to help my hair loss, but it never seemed to really help me, but it possibly could help you because we all all made up so differently and the causes of our hair loss are different as well.

You should always try to eat as nutritionally balanced as possible, good nutrition provides for a better more stable and clear mind, which is always helpful when dealing with anything traumatic or stressful, such as hair loss. Also, I see food as a drug, it can have immeasurable unpleasant damaging effects on the body or really great wonderful effects. Ever eat something that causes you to be sleepy, wired, cause an allergy attack or become nauseated? Something is taking place in our bodies when we eat different foods, and the effects are going to vary from person to person. I would never downplay the importance of good nutrition, not just for hair loss, but more importantly for your health. Later in this article I’ll point out the connection between the body’s insulin level and it’s testosterone level.

It is a well documented fact that many people with eating disorders such as bulima or anorexia nervosa suffer hair loss as a result of malnutrition. The word malnutrition indicates deficiency for energy, protein and micronutrients (e.g. vitamin A, iodine and iron) either singularly or in combination. One of the effects that malnutrition has on the body is dry skin and hair, brittle nails and hair loss. Another “hair” effect that can occur from malnutrition is the appearance of a soft baby fine hair called lanugo growing all over skin. This is caused due to a protective mechanism built into the body to help a person warm during period of starvation and malnutrition. This type of hair loss is usually reversible if the person returns to proper nutrition and balanced eating, however, I also have read that long term eating disorders can cause irreversible hair loss as well.

Spencer Kobren wrote extensively in his book, “The Truth About Women’s Hair Loss” about the relationship between insulin and testosterone. With his permission I am including that section here. He writes:

Sugar and Hair Loss

I’ve put this section entirely in this treatments chaper, even though it deals with both a contributing cause of hair loss and the corresponding preventive and treatment diet. That’s because sugar imbalance isn’t a primary cause of hair loss. It it, instead, a strong contributing factor in the hormonal imbalance factors that are at the root (again, pardon that inevitable pun) of most kinds of hair loss.

As you’ll recall from The Hormone Connection section in Chapter One, the delicate balance of male and female hormones is crucial to the issue of hair loss and so are the hormones regulated by the thyroid. But another hormone also plays a role in hair loss, and that’s insulin.

The pancreas creates insulin and glucagon, which both maintain stable blood-sugar levels.[…]

What does all this have to do with hair?

The Relationship between Insulin and Testosterone

There is an important link between your body’s insulin level and its testosterone. How does your insulin level tie into your testosterone level? An important class of hormones called the eicosanois, which biochemist Barry Sears, Ph.D., author of The Zone calls “the molecular glue” that holds the body together, are the master switches that control all human bodily functions. Every system, including the ones that govern how much fat we store in our bodies, a key factor in the action of testosterone, is controlled by the eicosanoids.

Dr. Sears realized that, if you can control the eicosanoids, you can control virtually every aspect of human physiology. He created The Zone diet specifically to balance the eicosanoids.

Using The Insulin-Testosterone Link to Foster Hair Growth

Because of the insulin-testosterone link, by controlling your insulin levels you can also control your testosterone level. Though a sugar-balancing diet, you can help regulate your testosterone levels and create an internal physiological environment supportive of hair growth.

Foods affect hormones quickly, anywhere from a few minutes to a few weeks. Scientist already know that diets high in animal fats trigger the release of more testosterone into your blood-stream. Studies have also shown that low-fat or vegetarian diets lower levels of testosterone into your bloodstream. A low-fat diet also lowers estrogen levels in both men and women. Have you ever noticed that obese men can have breast enlargement? That’s because someone who is overweight, even a man, is more likely to have a higher level of estrogen.

All in all, a high fat diett throws your normal hormonal balance into a tizzy. And that affects your hair loss, since testosterone plays such a pivotal role in androgenetic alopecia and other hormonally triggered hair loss. […]

Although Dr. Sears did not mention hair loss in The Zone, after reading his book I though that a sugar-balancing diet low in animal fat and similar to The Zone diet – which would control testosterone, insulin and the eicosanoids – would help prevent and treat hair loss by creating a more favorable hormonal balance, and therefore, lower DHT levels. This kind of diet would also boost other hair loss preventive measures and treatments.

I spoke with Dr. Sears, and he agreed. “At the molecular level, balding can be viewed as a hormonal disturbance condition,” Dr. Sears said. “It is clear that the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a breakdown product of testosterone, is a major contributor to baldness. Therefore, interventions that lower DHT levels should have a beneficial effect on balding.” Whether you lower your DHT levels by using pharmaceutical drugs, herbal or natural treatments, or diet, the outcome is helpful as both a preventive measure and a treatment […]
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This article doesn’t even touch on the value of using supplemental vitamins for hair loss, I will address that topic in another article.

{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }

jeni - savvy skin September 25, 2007 at 7:47 pm

I have been working for the last several years to eat healthier, but I haven’t seen any results with my hair either. I don’t like meat, so I have a hard time getting enough protein, and my iron is low. I’m trying to eat more healthy fats and protein, less carbs, a lot less sugar, and more antioxidants. I have books on anti-aging and women’s hormones, skin care, and hair loss, and I try to put all the info together to eat well. It’s frustrating when you try to do everything right and don’t see any changes.

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Amy September 27, 2007 at 5:46 pm

I was at Barnes and Noble looking for the book you referenced. It sounds very interesting. Not only am I on spiro but I am taking metaformin (an insulin lowering medication) because of insulin resistance. If what he says in true- maybe I will see some positive results. Anyway, I found myself looking at all sorts of books for hair loss. It’s stupid…but I get my hopes up looking at books…plundering through them hoping they have a new take on the hair loss issue. Maybe I might hit gold and find something that will be the cure. Every few months I get this great urgency and do mass research on the internet and at the bookstore. Sometimes I even wake up at night and sit on the internet for a while hoping for something new. Just in case your wondering- I didn’t find anything new. But I’m a sucker and I buy all sort of things. The only thing that really worked was this stuff called Scalp Med. Of course it worked! I saw a difference pretty quickly…but I also noticed that I was getting tremors and muscle spasms, too. Yeah, it took weeks for those to go away. It appears from their website that other people have had results. I don’t know why I got the tremors and muscle spasms. Oh well, back to square one.

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admin September 27, 2007 at 6:13 pm

Scalp Med… UGHH If I see one more of their cheezy infomericals I’m gonna throw up. Their intro music plays like it’s the opening of the olympic games. Everyone miraculously gets their hair back in what seems like a pretty unrealistic way. They show one lady with practically NO hair and in the after picture she looks like she never lost a hair in her life. hummm… This is yet another example of a company who repackages Minoxidil and in my opinion, rips people off. Their two months supply sells on their website for $159.80 $18.81 shipping and handling for a total of $178.61. You can get a two months supply of Rogaine For Women From drugstore.com for $89.98 shipping. And if you go for the Rite Aid Generic brand you can get two months for $60 shipping. So Scalp med charges 2 1/2 times more than generic minoxidil. Maybe I’m mistaken, but my understanding is minoxidil is minoxidil is minoxidil. The only difference is the label that is slapped on the bottle. Scalp Med worked for you because the main ingredient is minoxidil, I am sorry to hear about the side effects you experienced from it. The side effects listed of drugs.com for minoxidil are:

More common

Fast or irregular heartbeat; weight gain (rapid) of more than 5 pounds (2 pounds in children)

Less common

Chest pain; shortness of breath

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Bloating; flushing or redness of skin; swelling of feet or lower legs

Less common

Numbness or tingling of hands, feet, or face

Rare

Skin rash and itching
———————–

It sounds like perhaps you were having a reaction to the minoxidil.

Amy, I’m very much like you. I read everything I can that is available on hair loss constantly searching for that one thing that will turn everything around. I think that is a pretty normal to do, don’t want to miss anything. And it isn’t stupid that you get your hopes up when your reading through books, hope is good… it is what keeps us going.

Jeni – It definitely is frustrating when you do all the right things and don’t see the return we hope for (more hair) but being healthy, eating right is good for our bodies and our minds. I may have no hair but I’ll live to be 110 years old 🙂

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Rhonda Holt February 20, 2009 at 2:38 pm

Hi everyone, I wrote a few good comments about nutrition and if you get the chance go read it.. I really do think it will make a very big difference… This website is awesome and just to blog, talk and be there for each other really makes a huge difference… “My hair loss story” How did I get here? Is the best site I have found for people who just understand and their shared thoughts, tears joy and comments will mean more then one could ever know.. And a good poem to remember..
A friend is someone who knows who you are,
Understands where you have been,
Excepts what you have become,
Yet still gently allows you to grow..W.S.
Huggs and have a great hair day… Rhonda

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Julia June 26, 2009 at 12:31 am

So, does lowering insulin levels lower testosterone levels, or not? The article never says what the relationship is between the two hormones, just that there is one. Well, that’s not very helpful.

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brittany February 3, 2011 at 12:06 am

I agree with Julia there should be more info about the topic.All of the research and thinking ive done it just recently dawned on me that i could be creating testosterone by insulin.. my body must be flooded with reserves of unsulin.I crave and eat sugar like a pig its my one vice- i have actually felt a sugar hangover before from going to bed after eating a bunch of junk food.I have always been this way accept for the year that i started shedding i hate no meat no sugar.maybe the crazy imbalances are messing with my body.its going to be hard but i need to get the right amount of natural sugar each day and try that for a few months to see if it helps.

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Karim February 28, 2011 at 1:47 pm

I’m still looking for answers myself – my diet is very good, but still far from perfect. But one or two things I do know, so I thought I’d share them:

Brittany – sugar is a big no-no for every health issue, including hair loss. It is massively detrimental to your health! Eating one teaspoon of sugar reduces your T-cell (immune cells) activity by something like 10% within minutes, and for hours. If you get your nutritional status right you will help reduce the cravings. You still have to deal with the emotional issues though (if any), which are often very important in sugar cravings. Supplementing chromium picolinate or chromium polynicotinate will also help with the cravings and regulate your blood sugar levels, around 200-600mcg per day. Also look at getting a good multivitamin, maybe adding B-complex and zinc. And of course, eating right! Check out Patrick Holford’s “The Low GL Diet” book. There’s a lot of books with ‘diet’ in the title, I know!!! But Holford is the leading nutritionist in the UK, and he is right on track with the low GL concept.

Jenny – you said it yourself – your protein and iron intakes are low. Protein is important for… EVERYTHING in your body, and iron deficiency is also common in people with premature hair loss. Get both of them into your diet. If you don’t like meat, get whey protein shakes – there are dozens on the market, some better than others (the brands Twinlab and Maximuscle make bone fide products). For iron, get an amino acid chelated iron supplement, you just won’t absorb the cheap crap you get in the supermarket. Women need more iron than men due to the monthly blood loss.

Hope that’s helpful.

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Lily April 24, 2011 at 7:31 pm

Perhaps we should listen to our body and go back to the diet of simplicity. Have any of u tried raw vegetarian diet? Eating lots of greens( uncooked), fruits and veggies, drinking carrot juice, eating nuts and seeds. Perhaps we should try and see if the conditions we r suffering from improves! 🙂

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Jules June 17, 2011 at 12:06 pm

A lot of the times we think food is the culprit, a lack of Vitamin this, that and the other does certainly have an affect though, i wouldn’t rule out nutrition as the reason for hair loss. In fact, a lot of us don’t eat enough, don’t eat right, and take in vitamins in pill form. The problem is pills are only about 20-30% absorbable by the body. In the grand scheme of things, that’s nothing near what you should be taking. It would take 3 multivitamins 3 times a day to be as effective. My recommendation: liquid vitamins. I’ve just started on my Liquid vitamins called “ISOTONIX” through a recommendation I received from a fellow hair loss patient. She saw hair growth from their B-Complex in as little as 6 months. And its 98% absorbed by the body, with just one shot! (as in one shot glass of a dose) Of course results may vary and of course its long shot – but hey, its natural, its required and its definitely worth a shot!

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Angela June 29, 2011 at 1:14 pm

It’s funny when someone says they are doing everything right, but then doesn’t get enough protein in their diet which also helps them with beautiful hair. Anyway.

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jody June 30, 2011 at 6:48 pm

My dermatologist just perscribed Propecia 1mg for my hair loss. I am female. I know that its not fda approved for women. What are the thoughts out there aobut this? and is anyone taking it? thanks

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jody June 30, 2011 at 6:49 pm

propecia for women?Thoughts?

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January Jones Erdmann August 3, 2011 at 1:22 pm

As for B vitamins, about a year ago I started taking “ULTRA HAIR” a dietary supplement. It has high doses of Vitamin B’s. It seemed to help at first, then it started to wane. So I stopped taking it, and then whamo – the hair loss got much worse. So 2 weeks ago I started it again. So far no difference, but I remember that it took a few months to work.
In the meantime I’m considering bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Does anyone know if this actually works for hair loss? (I’m a 49 yr old female).

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fatima October 15, 2011 at 2:31 am

Hi,

id like to knwo if i have a low gi diet and if i take aldactone , would it be ok , i have a hair loss with acne , and hirsutism , but my testoterone level is fine , so im worried about the fact to take or not aldactone ?

thanks for ur answer

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Debbi Bifaro December 22, 2011 at 2:55 pm

My hair loss started in my late forties, without me really noticing it too much. It wasn’t extreme at first. Then I started to shed…and cry, shed and cry. I have been on spiro with no hair growth results. I was on a different blood pressure medicine at the time and my dermatologist recommended spiro. It just wasn’t as affective as the dyazide I was on and made me feel different.
What I have noticed is at cetain times of the year I shed. My shed time starts in Sept. and goes for about 2 mos., after whjich my hair will grow and feel fuller althought it never gets back to where it originally was. My scalp also itchs quite alot. I use Nioxin and have noticed the drying so i switch with a differrent shampoo on and off. I use mens rogaine and had no idea the side effects that came with it. Just found the website and am so glad to hear other women that can talk about this.

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sally December 25, 2011 at 4:16 pm

I too am concerned as my hair seems to follow male pattern baldness
and is receeding further and further back…don’t know where to turn….don’t know if a dermotologist or endocronologist is answer.

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Gayle December 28, 2011 at 2:33 pm

I wish I could offer you advice, but all I can offer is empathy, as I am experiencing the same. My hairline started receding about 10 years ago, but noticeable only to me. It was very gradual, however, and every six months or so, I had to accept a “new normal.” Rogaine helped a little, giving me a semblance of hair and preventing the shininess of baldness, but a couple of weeks ago, I had deep itching and a big shed of the Rogaine hair. I bought a wig (haven’t worn it yet), because I am tired of people looking at my hairline! I was gettting laser treatments, but the doc said that it doesn’t work on frontal hair, because I was having some diffuse thinning as well. I am often depressed about it, but when I think of others who are suffering serious health concerns, I feel blessed. I went to a dermatologist about it years ago, but the oily ointment she gave me wasn’t much help. A co-worker of mine is getting steroid shots but with questionable results. Good luck, and remember you are not alone. If you are like me, you find yourself looking at other women’s hair. I envy the thick hairlines, but I also see thin, receding ones like mine, and wonder if the wig-wearing women are experiencing the same.

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cherlynn crawford February 19, 2012 at 11:15 am

does anyone know if cenestin (estrogen) causes hair loss? I am experencing severe shedding off and on for 2 years and have been on cenestin .03 for about 8 years and have recently been told it could cause hair loss. I have also been told that lack of estrogen could also cause hair loss! I am 67 and have been on estrogen a long time and am afraid to stop. Has anyone had good luck with natural hormone therapy?

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Sasha August 7, 2012 at 5:34 am

I do think nutrition plays some part in HL. The question comes up for me because they say that in the West, men/women tend to lose their hair much more than men/women did in the East (due to the differences in the Western and Eastern diets) – Here, with all the packaged foods and preservatives and lack of fresh fruits and vegetables in our diets, our bodies get thrown out of wack.

In the East, they used to eat fresh fish and have different kinds of vegetables that are not available to us here and it’s just part of their every day diet. They say that in the last 10 years or so the East has also adopted much of the Western diet with new kinds of packaged/preserved foods and have now recently in the last 10-20 years have people there who start losing their hair. So, I’m not convinced that genetics is the only thing that plays a part. If cancer (if found in early stage I & II can be cured by a raw food diet (yes there is much evidence out there that it can be) I don’t see how Hairloss can’t be! I think adjusting your diet would only benefit you and set up a more condusive environment for hair to grow, in addition to balancing your adrenals. It may not stop it but it won’t exacerbate the situation more than other factors maybe. We all know by now HL is multi pronged, so if there is one aspect we can control, why not, right? Eating healthy , fresh fruits/vegetables, nuts, lean meat and eating in small portions so your gut is optimally functioning will also give benefit to your skin, mood, energy, so if it doesn’t help hair to the extent we’d like, atleast it may counterbalance our confidence it other ways…

I know it’s tough..as with depression of this problem, eating (sugar and comfort food) may help ease our pain, but it’s so short lived. I keep reminding myself of that.

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Cher. August 27, 2012 at 9:39 am

Hi All,
I’m waiting to be approved to join the group but thought perhaps I could make a comment here.
I;ve been under tremendous stress for the past two yrs after all my money was stolen from a safe deposit box. Unfortunately this does happen sometimes, but contents areen’t insured by the bank so not much to do about it. Consequently all I would have had to live on is gone; my diet is now suffereing but I dont eat meat or non organic milk anyway. I do eat cheese, and more eggs than I should; we eat chicken most every night. The stress is high due to many issues resulting from this tragdey eg excalating bills, arguing etc. My hair loss is much worse as a result and now I am suffering form hyperhydrosis. I am alraedy on HRT at max dosages and am 59 yrs old. I do color my hair as it has literally blackened as I aged. It used to be lt chestnut with blonde highlights. My skin has been great up to now as illness has kept me bedridden much of the time; I have many illnesses eg fibro,. arthritis’, GERD,severe neuroopathy and on and on and on. My skin is now sagging and wrinkled after a massive weight loss I undertook even tho it was slow relatively speaking from 268 or so to about 140 now. My face still is in good shape. I used to excercise alot but not now with so much pain. Still I have hope to improving whatever I possibly can. I am plauged nby this hyperhydrosis which includes anal hyperhydrosis; the worst thing honesetly! I am going to go to a doctor as my pain ctr does not deal with these things. Oh i have been dx as per diabetic and do have neurothy and numbness etc. but no one follos it as am not on medication etc. just diet.nld I dont know if a endrocrinologist would fit the bill for hair loss and hyperhydrosis or if I shou go to two seperate doctors. I also need to see a dermatologist, I am on the Brigham & Womens plan in Boston USA. I used to be in the med prof. but no longer am working. Sorry this is sso lengthy. I read many stories here with great empathy and hope to join and contribute and offer support and get support as well. Cher; MLS,HS,ASCP & CAS

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Andrea August 30, 2012 at 12:23 am

I also wish that I could offer advice to you all. But, again, can offer only empathy. I am 50 and this is the third time of losing my hair completely since I was in my early 20’s. Both the previous times it all came back within about a year. I lost it this time at the begining of this year (2012), so am not sure whats going to happen in the next few months. I went to see a dermatologist and found it a total waste of time and money. Besides him being very dismissive and time watching, I don’t think a dermatologist would help anyway. I believe it may have to do with hormone imbalance. Mine have been all over the place since I had ovarian cancer 9 years ago, and had to have a hysterectomy and was put on HRT. Last november, my GP called me in to lower the HRT. I then had a thyroid test which proved ‘borderline’ but not underactive enough to treat, according to my GP. I’m now on the same mission as the rest of you!! Nioxin made my scalp itch like mad so I stopped using that. I do eat quite healthily but do have the odd bar of chocolate too. We just have to stay positive! Lastly, I do agree with vitamins and minerals etc to help.And I am doing a little of ‘self help’ reflexology on my own feet.

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Coletha November 17, 2012 at 7:17 pm

I became a vegetarian for the first time in my life in my 30’s, after my hair loss began. I lasted the first time almost 6 years, but because of my anemia I thought a lack of iron and supposed protein deficiency was affecting my hair growth. Truth is my hair was not affected by eating meat or cutting back. Most plant based diets are not low in protein or iron. Even as a meat eater I still had to take iron for my anemia and because I wasn’t eating enough fruits or vegetables I had to take a multi-vitamin. Most natural supplements that help grow hair such as Saw Palmetto, most essential oils, and biotin and many of the B vitamins (except B12) come from plant sources. I am a vegetarian again, living on a plant based diet, taking iron, and a multi-vitamin, and a hair supplement (hair essentials) and my hair is growing, more then it did (well once it started falling out) when I ate meat. I believe very heavily that diet is important, more than topical solutions, although I swear by apple cider vinegar as a shampoo because it kills bacteria and fungus and it clears away the waxy buildup that DHT leaves on the scalp and in the hair follicles. Natural remedies are really important. Since I started eating foods to help with my hormone imbalance (I am pre-menopausal and having issues with low progesterone) and using a natural, plant based progesterone creme my hair growth has increased. Nothing absolutely NOTHING worked until I look at natural remedies…Rogaine and Minoxidil didn’t work I think for the time that I used those product it temporarily made matters worse for me, although I have heard that for some women it works.

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Sherry July 13, 2021 at 7:56 am

Hi Coletha,

Could you be more specific in what type of natural remedies you take. Do you take a topical progesterone? I just started 2 weeks ago. Think I have tried every shampoo made of hair loss with no luck. Would love to hear what you do. Thank you! Sherry

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dianna April 9, 2013 at 2:46 pm

please help my hair has been the same length for over 30 yrs i try not to think about it but now i can not look at any one with hair longer than mine i cry all the time all i got from the doctor was eat meat been veggie very long time ate meat almost threw up hair is still same length ate meat for nothing help me i do not want to die with the same hair length

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roca May 20, 2013 at 5:51 am

Hi everyone,
Went to the derm recently, second batch of blood work, ferritin dropped to 33 and she’s pushing Spiro — which I do not wanna take. Partly because of the research showing cancer in rats. I know… rats… but at this point, I’m not taking any chances. My best friend has terminal cancer and my grandmother had breast cancer so you see my hesitation. No hair or even a smidge of cancer possibility. I’ll take no hair (and a wig). Then of course she tells me to take Minoxidil and Rogaine. From what I’ve read, it doesn’t work and makes your existing hair even worse. Not into that idea either.

I’m taking a prescription iron called Irospan and I started drinking 2 teaspoons of blackstrap molasses. I figure it can’t hurt and should have other good effects. Does anyone else take either of the things I’m taking?

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kathleen September 3, 2013 at 10:55 am

My story is echoed through this site. I am on lisinopril and have been losing hair for 20 years. I started with very thick hair so HL has only become a problem in the 5 or 10 years. I do /did a good job of disguising the problem but am now a stage where is obvious. I tried Rogaine only made the problem worse. I did notice GNC’s Hair and nails helped and now back on it. Derm recommend Spiro and that seems to be dose related — a little (.25) helps and a tablet (100) made hair come out in gobs.
My DHT is twice the norm so I am looking at finding DHT blockers food or supplements. Any recommendations? I have seen postings re Saw Palmetto with dosages of 1500. Has any one had experience with that? My Ferritin is/was 40. I started taking iron and chelated magnesium. I feel better — more energy etc. Next blood test should show effects if any. Thyroid is an issue in my family but the test’s “normal” would fit most anybody without a goiter. Trying to get more iodine in my diet. I haven’t eaten salt in 20 + years due to hypertension.

I have been reporting / complaining about hair loss for the last 20 years and NOT one DR –I live in Boston and go to MGH and Brigham REGULARLY — have seen male and female DRs and NOT one suggested testing Ferritin. I ordered the test myself. Hopefully, my new Dr will order tests for Iodine, Iron, etc etc you know, the basics. The stuff that harmones use. Our tales are a shameful disgrace for the medical profession.

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Cheryl April 20, 2014 at 4:37 pm

I was dx’d with IBS but now they call it SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth). After reading that it causes deficiencies I started taking sublinqual B12, Iodine (optimox) and drinking milk kefir for the probiotics and after a month my hair stopped falling out. However I’d only been dx’d with low vitamin D in the past.

Anyway since my stomach is not absorbing I went to the sublinqual B12. I lost my hair mostly when I would wash it, it was depressing. Anyway I think a lot of people have SIBO. I had constipation not diarrhea which is what they say most people have and I was dx’d by an endoscopy when they were testing for celiac disease.

I read that illness is caused by toxicity and/or deficiency. The body can’t heal if it doesn’t have the right tools. Finding the right tools is hard though.

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tina December 1, 2015 at 8:07 am

Surgery for me started my hair loss. I had an ovary removed in 2013 and within 2 years my hair loss grew, temples and now receding hairline. I have fringed bangs that I haven’t a clue if this breakage or what. I’m constantly depressed I have used natural remedies saw palmetto ect things that are suppose to lower androgens well I think it only made things worse so I’m truly confused as to the MPB thing and no is doesn’t run in my family. I just what some sort of normal life. I’m 47 now and not one issue with hair all my life until the stress of and the surgery itself.

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tina December 1, 2015 at 8:14 am

p.s. I never had high testosterone level either until this past test and then they are only slightly high and that was after 6 months of testosterone lowering remedies so again the confusion. no high dht levels no sugar issues yes I am peri menopause now and low free t3 for my thyroid my ferritin was low I finally have that at 70 and still nothing. no regrowth at all in 2 years not handfuls of hair either not sure where the hair is falling too =( I don’t see much I’m tried of feeling doomed and bitter that this is happening to me why cant I have a normal head. my older sister had a total hyster and has no issues at all and that was 10 years ago while she was in her 40s

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Mary December 31, 2015 at 8:17 pm

I decided to change my pretty good diet to eating less meat (after watching “Forks Over Knives”), and juicing organic vegetables twice a day for 3 months (after watching “Fat,Sick, and Almost Dead”). I exerciese 4 times a week and at my perfect weight. I haven’t noticed a single hair grow on my head since this “experiment”. I started taking powdered gelatin in my juices last month and noticed my nails are growing and very strong, my hair getting a little longer. But lots and lots of shedding and no new hair. Been like this for 1-1/2 years. Blows.

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Mary December 31, 2015 at 8:22 pm

And forgot to add my doctor added testosterone to my bioidential hormone mixture to “give me energy.” I don’t know if it was the testosterone that I was on for a year, or the Hepatitus Vaccine I took at the same time, but one of them caused this massive hair loss with no regrowth. I got off the stupid testosterone 1 year ago. My initial complaint to the doctor was I’m losing my hair. Shows you how uneducated some naturopaths are!

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Susan August 28, 2019 at 2:54 pm

I wonder about hormones and insulin too. I had blood work done not for everything but for main culprits of hair loss. Only thing that came back was my sugar levels were high. The sypmtoms are so the same with the burning and itching scalp that you would think the cause would be similar too for everyone. I think testerone, estrogen may be a part of it and that a person need not be in menopause for it to get out of whack. I tried lots of natural shampoo and oils but only Redken shampoo for itchy scalp with nothing else, no onditioner ect. has eleviated the itch and burning. Think for me that was first step, cannot feel okay with a scalp on fire. Also I am taking Bell Hair Formula, natural DTH blocker, Other than those two things I am completely working on changing lifestyle and what I eat. Very deficient in being healthy. I am not styling or even combing my hair that will cause the burning again. My new look will be my completely natural hair no touching, no styling, no products. I am already starting to accept the look. I do believe my hair in the back will grow back. I took some time of work to deal with this and to deal with my complete health. Kinda a relief to go back to how I used to be all natural when I was younger and not have a thought or worry about how I look. I see many natural looking people out there and I feel no judgement. If I accept my new hair doing nothing look I think others will accept me as I am too. No scratching, I use my soft finger and lightly press only. Don’t comb my hair. The Redken shampoo reviews say after a few uses itching goes away completely. I have used it once only so far and nothing else made my scalp feel anywhere near as good. All the stuff I bought before this I will just use as body wash. I do put a bit of ginger oil drops on my head right before I wash hair. Other than the 3 things I do nothing else right now, until I investigate what further may help grow my hair back. My scalp is no longer on fire now and only very slight occasional itch is left.

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Susan August 28, 2019 at 3:36 pm

Also mention my scalp feels best in morning after night of laying down the blood circulation must be why, even though I toss an turn and head rubs on pillow, in morning I feel complete relief. Later it start bothering again a bit, so I am laying down in the day time for a bit, reading novel, relaxing. Sounds simple blood flow, for me making a difference. I will post again at some point especially if my solutions work for me I will share.

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