Hair Loss in Women by Dr. Pamela Frank, BSc (Hons), ND

These are some of the many reasons why women may lose hair:

1. Iron deficiency

2. Low thyroid function

3. High androgen levels

4. High stress levels

5. Autoimmune disorders

Investigating Hair Loss

To accurately determine the reason for your hair loss, each of the above causes needs to be thoroughly investigated.  I recommend the following blood tests:

• Ferritin – this is a storage form of iron, low levels indicate an iron deficiency

• T3, T4, TSH and rT3 – often only TSH is measured which gives an indication of the function of the thyroid gland itself, but does not adequately determine what is happening to the thyroid hormone once it has been produced.

• Testosterone, DHEAs, DHT – elevated testosterone and DHEAs can contribute to hair loss, but also excess facial or body hair growth.  DHT is a potent form of testosterone that is rarely measured, but I have often found that elevated levels correlate with hair loss in women.

• Stress is mainly assessed subjectively, that is, how the patient reports that they perceive their stress level i.e. low, medium or high.

My Naturopathic Approach to Hair Loss in Women

Patients can either approach their medical doctor about providing the above testing, in which case most of it would be covered by OHIP.  Otherwise, I can test all of the above blood levels, but patients would be responsible for the actual cost of the testing as tests ordered by naturopathic doctors are not covered by OHIP. 

Once the underlying cause of the condition is determined, hair loss can be addressed using naturopathic medicine by:

• Improving iron intake and absorption

• Enhancing production and function of thyroid hormones

• Lowering excess testosterone, DHEAs and/or DHT

• Stress reduction techniques and adrenal gland support to allow healthy adaptation to stress.

What I find rarely works for hair loss:

Most people who come to see me for hair loss have been to the Health Food Store Doctor already and been recommended these two supplements.  I rarely find they do anything. 

1. Biotin - there is some evidence that biotin deficiency is linked to hair loss.  For biotin supplementation to have any effect dosing needs to be quite high.  I don't recommend taking it at that level without consulting an ND.

2. Silica - there is very little evidence that supplementing silica prevents or treats hair loss.  If hair is fragile or prone to breakage silica may help, but it won't help with hair loss.

Benefits to My Treatment Approach

1. Addresses the root cause of the problem for more lasting results

2. Improved organ system function

3. Better hormone balance

4. Improved stress coping mechanisms

5. Healthier immune system function

DISCLAIMER: The information provided here may not apply precisely to your individual situation. Diagnostic and therapeutic choices must always be tailored to the individual patient's circumstances, and consultation with a licensed naturopathic physician should be undertaken before following any of the treatment strategies suggested in this web site.