IS YOUR HAIR THINNING?

When my patients ask for help with thinning hair, I take a thorough medical history and perform an examination of their scalp and hair. I also draw their blood (I’m really good with a needle). It’s important to rule out internal causes that may be contributing to hair loss (and not simply blame someone’s age or heredity), especially if it’s a new problem.

✅ Here are some possible causes of hair loss, all of which can be detected in bloodwork:

LOW IRON. Low iron levels can cause thinning hair, even if there’s no anemia. For healthy hair, be sure to eat iron-rich foods, which include meat & poultry, dark green leafy veggies (spinach, kale, chard), and dried fruit.

LOW VITAMIN D. Eggs and fortified foods are a good source of Vitamin D. Your doctor may also recommend a supplement.

HORMONE IMBALANCE. Androgens cause shrinking of hair follicles.

MERCURY. You may be at risk if you eat certain types of fish such as tuna and swordfish 🐠

LEAD. This can be found in paint, batteries, and certain types of glazed ceramic dishware.

ARSENIC. This heavy metal can contaminate well water and rice (be sure to wash your rice before cooking).

ANEMIA. Low red blood cell count can be a stress on your body and cause hair loss. Those who have menstrual periods are at greater risk.

THYROID IMBALANCE. Either high or low thyroid levels can lead to hair thinning.

Want to learn more? Follow @drjessicawu for honest, up-to-date info on healthy skin, hair, and nails.