Stop Hair Loss Now: Regrow Confidence with Natural Care

Male and Female Hair Loss

Understanding Your Hair Growth Cycle

Every hair on your scalp cycles independently through three phases, which is why hair loss from a single trigger doesn’t show up overnight and doesn’t resolve overnight either.

Anagen (growth phase): Roughly 85-90% of your scalp hairs are in this phase at any given time. It lasts 2 to 7 years and determines how long your hair can grow before it sheds.¹

Catagen (transition phase): A short, 2-to-3-week phase where the follicle detaches from its blood supply and growth stops. Only about 1-3% of hairs are here at any moment.¹

Telogen (resting phase): The follicle rests for approximately 2 to 4 months before shedding the old hair and entering a new anagen cycle. About 10–15% of your scalp hairs are normally in telogen.¹

This staggered, asynchronous cycling is what keeps your scalp looking full even though you’re constantly shedding and regrowing hair. It’s also why a major stressor such as illness, surgery, crash dieting, childbirth, or a medication change doesn’t cause hair to fall out immediately. Instead, the stress prematurely pushes a large batch of anagen follicles into telogen all at once. Those follicles then sit quietly for roughly 2 to 3 months before the resting hairs are shed, which is why patients are often confused when hair loss appears to come “out of nowhere”; the actual trigger happened a season earlier.²,³ This delayed-onset, synchronized shedding pattern is the hallmark of telogen effluvium, covered in detail below.

What Causes Hair Loss?

Two of the leading causes of hair loss are androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium, but hair loss in men and women occurs for many reasons. Hair loss isn’t a single condition; it’s a category of conditions with different mechanisms, timelines, and treatments. Lumping them together is why so many patients get generic advice that doesn’t work for their specific type. Here’s how the most common causes actually differ.

Androgenetic Alopecia (Pattern Hair Loss)

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common cause of hair loss in both men and women, driven primarily by dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a more potent metabolite of testosterone produced locally in the hair follicle by the enzyme 5-alpha reductase.⁴,⁵ In genetically susceptible follicles, DHT binds androgen receptors and progressively shortens the anagen phase while triggering follicular miniaturization. Hairs grow back finer, shorter, and lighter with each cycle until some follicles stop producing visible hair altogether.⁴,⁵

In men, this typically presents as bitemporal recession and vertex thinning; in women, it more often presents as diffuse thinning along the central part of the scalp with a retained frontal hairline. Because the trigger is hormonal sensitivity rather than hormone level alone, two people with identical testosterone and DHT can have very different degrees of hair loss depending on follicular receptor sensitivity, which is why androgen testing is informative but not the whole picture (see Lab Testing section below).

Telogen Effluvium

Telogen effluvium (TE) is diffuse, whole-scalp shedding triggered when a physiological stressor pushes a large cohort of anagen follicles into early telogen.² Common triggers include acute illness or fever, major surgery, crash dieting or rapid weight loss, significant blood loss, new medications, and severe emotional stress.²,³ As covered above, shedding typically becomes noticeable 2 to 3 months after the trigger, not immediately, which is the single most useful piece of information for tracing a patient’s history back to the actual cause.²,³ Acute TE usually resolves within 6 months once the trigger is identified and removed; when shedding persists beyond 6 months, it’s classified as chronic TE and warrants a more thorough nutritional and endocrine workup.²,³

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata (AA) is fundamentally different from AGA and TE, it’s an autoimmune condition in which cytotoxic T cells attack anagen-phase hair follicles, typically producing sharply demarcated, round or oval patches of hair loss rather than diffuse thinning.⁶ The hair follicle normally exists in a zone of relative immune privilege – meaning it is protected from the immune system; in AA, that privilege collapses, and the follicle is treated as a target.⁶

AA frequently co-occurs with other autoimmune conditions, including autoimmune thyroid disease, which is part of why a thyroid antibody panel is worth considering even when TSH alone looks normal.⁶,⁷ Course is unpredictable – many cases regrow spontaneously, others relapse, and severity ranges from a single patch to total scalp or body hair loss.

Thyroid-Related Hair Loss

Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism disrupt the hair cycle, but through different mechanisms. Thyroid hormone helps maintain the anagen phase; when T3/T4 levels are insufficient, follicles are prematurely pushed into telogen, resulting in diffuse thinning.⁷ Hyperthyroidism can produce a similar shedding pattern through accelerated metabolic turnover of the follicle.⁷ Hashimoto’s thyroiditis adds a third mechanism, autoimmune inflammation that can directly affect follicles independent of hormone levels, and raises the likelihood of overlapping alopecia areata.⁶,⁷ This is precisely why TSH alone is an inadequate hair-loss workup: two patients with identical “normal” TSH can have very different follicular environments depending on free T4, free T3, reverse T3, and antibody status (detailed in the Lab Testing section below).

Iron Deficiency Hair Loss

Iron is required for follicular cell proliferation, and serum ferritin, the storage form of iron, is the most clinically useful marker for assessing it.⁸ Multiple studies have found significantly lower ferritin in patients with TE and female pattern hair loss compared to controls, with proposed cutoffs in the 27–30 µg/L range for distinguishing affected patients from controls.⁸,⁹

Importantly, “normal” on a standard lab report (often >10–15 µg/L) is not the same as adequate for hair growth; this gap between the lab’s reference range and the functional threshold needed for follicular health is one of the most common reasons iron deficiency hair loss goes unaddressed in conventional care. More detail and specific target ranges are in the Lab Testing section below.

Postpartum Hair Loss

Postpartum shedding is generally understood as a variant of telogen effluvium: elevated estrogen during pregnancy extends the anagen phase, producing the thick, full hair many people notice during pregnancy; the abrupt drop in estrogen after delivery then releases a large cohort of follicles into telogen simultaneously, producing noticeable shedding roughly 2 to 4 months postpartum.²

It’s worth noting, in the interest of giving you the full evidence picture, that the data on postpartum telogen effluvium as a distinct, well-quantified entity is actually thinner than its clinical reputation suggests, a literature review found inconsistent and often non-significant differences in shedding rates between pregnant and postpartum women across the available studies, suggesting individual variation is substantial and the “fallacy” framing some authors use is a useful caution against over-attributing every postpartum hair change to hormones alone.¹⁰

In practice, this means postpartum patients with shedding that’s unusually severe, prolonged beyond 6-12 months, or accompanied by other symptoms deserve the same iron, thyroid, and nutritional workup as any other TE presentation rather than a default “it’s just hormones, it’ll resolve” reassurance.

Other possible causes of hair loss include:

1. Inflammation in your scalp from psoriasis, fungal infection, seborrheic dermatitis, or other inflammatory issues
2. Syphilis causes a “moth-eaten” pattern of hair loss
3. Menopause
4. Certain medications cause hair to fall out
5. Vitamin deficiencies
6. Mineral deficiencies
7. Protein malnutrition
8. Anorexia or starvation
9. Certain foods, particularly if your body has an immune reaction to the food
10. Keto diet in some people because your body may find transitioning to ketosis stressful
11. Family history or genetics may be a contributing factor, but by no means condemns you to be bald

Hair Loss Tests

To accurately determine the reason for your hair loss, each of the above causes needs to be thoroughly investigated. Odds are that your medical doctor has NOT done several of these tests. I recommend that the following blood tests be performed if indicated. I can perform these tests for you, or you can request them from your medical doctor.

Hair Loss Lab Testing: Why “Normal” Isn’t the Same as Optimal

I cover my full lab testing approach for hair loss in more depth in How A Naturopath Uses Lab Testing to Combat Hair Loss – the short version is below, because the gap between a “normal” lab value and a value that actually supports hair regrowth is the single biggest reason patients get told “your bloodwork is fine” while still losing hair.

Ferritin

Standard lab reference ranges often flag anything above 10–15 µg/L as normal. Research specifically on patients with hair loss has found significantly lower ferritin levels in those with telogen effluvium and female pattern hair loss compared with controls, with calculated cutoffs around 27.5–29.4 µg/L for distinguishing affected patients.⁸,⁹

In clinical practice, many practitioners target a higher functional range, often 40 to 60 µg/L, since regrowth response typically requires more buffer than the bare statistical cutoff for deficiency. The honest caveat here is that there isn’t a single RCT establishing a universal “optimal” number for hair regrowth, so this functional target is a clinical heuristic built on the deficiency-association data above, not a hard threshold proven in trials. It’s still a meaningfully different number than what most patients are told is “normal.”

Thyroid panel – beyond TSH

TSH alone misses a meaningful subset of thyroid-related hair loss. A full picture includes free T4, free T3, reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies (anti-TPO, anti-thyroglobulin), because hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and autoimmune thyroiditis each disrupt the hair cycle through different mechanisms and each requires antibody testing (not just TSH) to catch.⁷ This is especially relevant given how often AA, TE, and autoimmune thyroid disease overlap in the same patient.⁶,⁷

Androgens

Testosterone, free testosterone, DHEA-S, and, where relevant, DHT help characterize androgenetic alopecia and rule out an underlying source of androgen excess (e.g., PCOS) in women presenting with hair loss alongside acne, irregular cycles, or hirsutism. Because follicular sensitivity to androgens varies independently of circulating levels, androgen testing should inform, not replace, the clinical picture.⁴,⁵

Zinc

The evidence on zinc is genuinely mixed, and it’s worth being upfront about that rather than overselling it. A large 2025 cross-sectional study found only a small, not clinically meaningful, difference in zinc levels between hair-loss patients and controls in the general hair-loss population and concluded that zinc shouldn’t be routinely ordered as a screening test for hair loss.

However, the picture is different specifically in alopecia areata: smaller studies have found significantly lower serum and hair zinc levels in AA and chronic TE patients compared with controls, and a supplementation trial in AA patients with documented low zinc found meaningful regrowth in roughly two-thirds of those treated.¹¹,¹² So zinc testing is reasonable to include in a workup for AA or chronic TE specifically, but it isn’t a default test I’d recommend for every diffuse-shedding patient based on the current evidence.

Estrogen

Estrogen promotes hair growth; progesterone prevents excessive DHT production.  Measure peak estrogen (estradiol) around ovulation at mid-cycle.  Measure peak progesterone about a week before your next period is due.  So, this is around day 21, assuming that you have a 28-day cycle.

Stress

We assess your stress subjectively.  That is, how you report your stress level.  Is stress low, medium, or high?  It causes or contributes to hair loss through several mechanisms.  Stress increases cortisol, which leads to higher blood sugar.  This then causes higher insulin levels.  Higher insulin levels increase androgen (or male hormone) activity and/or levels.

Stress also uses up vitamins and minerals that are important for healthy hair.  It also depletes the adrenal glands, which help us cope with stressful situations. So, our capacity to handle stress goes down, which makes the stress response even worse.  Measuring your cortisol level may be useful.  Measure it in the morning around 7-9 a.m. to determine your peak cortisol levels.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is important for the normal function of your ovaries.  If your ovaries don’t work properly, then they aren’t producing normal levels of the hormones that influence hair growth. Vitamin D also moderates the immune system. In cases of inflammatory or autoimmune hair loss, maintaining healthy vitamin D levels can help tone down excessive immune activity.

ANA

ANA stands for Anti-Nuclear Antibody.  If there is patchy hair loss/bald spots (alopecia areata), the cause is likely autoimmune.  This test screens for autoimmune conditions that can cause hair loss.

VDRL

If hair loss is following the characteristic “moth-eaten” appearance that is associated with syphilis, then VDRL testing is appropriate.

Testing for Hair Loss

Patients can approach their medical doctor to request the above testing.  In that case, OHIP covers most of it. Otherwise, I can test all of the above blood levels.  But patients are responsible for the actual cost of the testing.  OHIP does not cover tests ordered by naturopathic doctors.  I’m sorry, but I cannot order tests for you before your first full visit.

Symptoms Associated with Hair Loss

Along with hair falling, you may also experience:

• Itchy or burning scalp
• Soreness or tenderness of the scalp
• Dandruff
• Oily hair
• Oily scalp
• Excess facial or body hair growth
• Acne
• Irregular periods
• Heavy periods or other cause of blood loss
• Fatigue
• Hot flashes or night sweats

Additional Information that Helps Determine the Cause of Your Hair Loss

During my initial intake for someone with hair loss, we will discuss in depth all the factors that may cause or contribute to it.  Is there a family history of hair loss or autoimmune disorders?  What is the pattern that you notice? Is your hair falling at the front, temples, crown, part, all over, or in patches? Have you struggled to maintain your iron level?  Is there a family history of Celiac disease? Do you have other signs of hormone imbalance like acne, excessive facial or body hair, irregular periods, acanthosis nigricans, intense cramps, or PMS?

Natural Treatment for Hair Loss

Once we determine the underlying cause of your hair loss, as a naturopath, I treat it by:

Improving iron intake AND absorption

Sometimes you are taking in enough iron in your diet, but you are not absorbing it.  It may be that your iron intake is too low.  You may also lose too much iron with your period every month.  In any case, I can help correct the problem.

Enhancing the production and function of thyroid hormones, estrogen or progesterone

Hormonal balance is vital to healthy hair.  Testing for these hormones is important.  So is interpreting the results properly.  These tests require interpretation based on optimal levels for hair growth.  Not based on lab ranges, which are far from ideal.

Lowering excess levels of testosterone, DHEAs and/or DHT

High levels of male hormones like these increase hair loss, particularly male- or female-pattern baldness.  These are moderated through diet, lifestyle, vitamins, minerals, and herbal treatment.

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

Ideally, it is best to divest yourself of the stress.  If that’s not possible, then we help your body adapt to it more easily.  So stress impacts you less.

Addressing food sensitivities, your gut and balancing your immune system in the case of autoimmune hair loss

Food sensitivities, lack of good bacteria, and latent infections are all things that keep your immune system overly fired up.  Fixing these reduces inflammation and calms down the autoimmune reaction. The inflammatory prostaglandin PGD2 is one cause of scalp inflammation that causes hair loss.  Herbal compounds such as resveratrol and quercetin help reduce PGD2 levels.

What I find rarely works for hair loss

Biotin

There is some evidence that biotin deficiency is linked to hair loss. For biotin supplementation to be effective, dosing needs to be quite high.  Most of the people who take biotin aren’t taking enough.  Even in the right amount, this only seems to help a small percentage of the time.

Silica

There is very little evidence that supplementing silica prevents or treats hair loss. If the hair is fragile or prone to breakage, silica can help in some cases, but it won’t address hair loss from causes like thyroid or hormonal issues.

Hair Loss Products

Topical products and treatments for hair rarely do much because they do not address the root cause of hair loss.

Putting Crazy Things on Your Scalp

Tempted to try putting things like guava leaves or onion juice on your scalp because you saw a post on Facebook about it?  Well, you can try it for yourself if you don’t believe me, but really I wouldn’t waste your time. These are not going to fix a hormone imbalance, iron deficiency, or low thyroid.

The Benefits of Naturopathic Treatment for Hair Loss

The benefits of natural medicine for hair loss include:

1. It addresses the root cause of the problem for more lasting results
2. An improved organ system function
3. Better hormone balance
4. Improved stress coping mechanisms
5. A healthier immune system and reduced inflammation
6. Fewer side effects than hair loss drugs

How Long Does Hair Regrowth Actually Take?

This is the question patients ask most, and the one most commonly answered with vague reassurance rather than real numbers. Setting accurate expectations up front meaningfully reduces frustration and improves treatment follow-through.

For telogen effluvium, once the underlying trigger is identified and addressed, shedding typically resolves within 3 to 6 months, with visible regrowth in the following months as follicles re-enter anagen.²,³

For androgenetic alopecia treated with topical minoxidil, clinical trials consistently show the same pattern: no meaningful change in the first 2 months, early signs of regrowth around 3 to 4 months, and the fullest visible results, including in long-term studies, generally appearing around the 12-month mark, after which results tend to plateau or very gradually decline if minoxidil is the only intervention used.¹³,¹⁴,¹⁵

I cannot prescribe minoxidil. I counsel patients to expect 6-9 months to reduce androgens through natural treatments such as diet, lifestyle, vitamins, minerals, and herbs. Then it may take another 3 months for hair to enter the growth phase. This is why I tell patients not to judge whether a hair regimen is “working” before the 4-month mark, and to expect the real verdict at 9 to 12 months.

For iron, thyroid, or nutrient-deficiency-driven hair loss, timelines depend on how quickly the underlying lab values normalize, but patients generally should expect a similar lag, because new hair has to enter and progress through anagen before it’s visible; meaningful regrowth is rarely seen before 3 to 4 months even after the root cause is corrected, with continued improvement over 6 to 12 months.

The throughline across every cause: hair loss has a built-in delay on the way in (symptoms show up months after the trigger) and a built-in delay on the way out (regrowth takes months to become visible after the cause is addressed). This isn’t a reason to be discouraged; it’s just biology, and knowing it in advance prevents people from abandoning an effective protocol at month two because they expected month-two results.

Will hair loss grow back?

Hair loss can be temporary or permanent, depending on the cause.  To reverse hair loss, the cause needs to be investigated and properly addressed. If it is due to poor diet, iron deficiency, PCOS, stress, hypothyroidism, or anxiety, and these issues are corrected, hair can grow back. Looking for information about Telogen Effluvium specifically? Check out this page.

Hair Loss FAQ

Why didn’t my hair start falling out until months after I was sick/had surgery/had a baby?

Hair loss from a physiological stressor doesn’t show up immediately because of how the hair cycle works. The stressor pushes a batch of growing (anagen) follicles into the resting (telogen) phase early; those follicles then sit for roughly 2 to 3 months before the hair is actually shed.²,³ So the trigger and the visible shedding are typically separated by a full season, which is why tracing your history back 2 to 3 months is often the key to identifying the cause.

Will my hair grow back?

It depends on the cause. Telogen effluvium, iron-deficiency-related shedding, and most thyroid-related hair loss are generally reversible once the underlying issue is corrected.²,³,⁷,⁸ Androgenetic alopecia is a progressive, genetically-driven condition that can be slowed or partially reversed with consistent treatment but isn’t “cured” outright.⁴,⁵ Alopecia areata is variable; some patches regrow spontaneously, others don’t, and the course is genuinely unpredictable.⁶

My ferritin came back “normal”; why am I still losing hair?

Standard lab reference ranges for ferritin (often >10–15 µg/L) are set to rule out clinical anemia, not to identify the threshold needed for healthy hair growth. Research specifically in hair-loss patients has found significantly lower ferritin levels in affected patients, even within standard “normal” ranges, with research-derived cutoffs around 27–30 µg/L and functional treatment targets often set even higher (40-70 µg/L).⁸,⁹ This is one of the most common gaps in conventional hair loss workups.

Can stress alone cause hair loss?

Yes, significant physiological or psychological stress is a recognized trigger of telogen effluvium, the most common cause of diffuse, non-patterned hair shedding.²,³ The shedding typically appears 2 to 3 months after the stressful period, which is part of why patients often don’t connect the two. I would never conclude that it’s “just stress,” though, unless other causes listed above have been ruled out.

Does everyone lose hair after having a baby?

Postpartum shedding is common but not universal, and current evidence on exactly how much shedding is “normal” postpartum is less settled than commonly assumed. Some literature reviews have found that the difference between pregnant and postpartum shedding rates is smaller and more variable than the popular narrative suggests.¹⁰ Shedding that’s severe, doesn’t improve by 6 to 12 months postpartum, or comes with other symptoms warrants the same workup as any other case of hair loss rather than being assumed to be hormonal and self-resolving. Why assume when you can test and get objective confirmation?

How long until I see results from treatment?

For most causes, expect no visible change before 3 to 4 months, meaningful improvement by 6 months, and full results around 9 to 12 months; this holds whether the treatment is correcting an iron deficiency, optimizing thyroid hormones, or reducing androgens for androgenetic alopecia.²,³,¹³,¹⁴ Judging a protocol’s effectiveness before the 3-month mark usually leads to abandoning something that was actually working.

Is biotin worth taking for hair loss?

For most patients, no, meaningful improvement from biotin supplementation generally only occurs in the relatively small subset of people with an actual biotin deficiency, and most people taking over-the-counter biotin for hair loss don’t have one. It’s also worth knowing that high-dose biotin can interfere with certain thyroid lab results, falsely mimicking hyperthyroidism on bloodwork, which matters given how central thyroid testing is to a proper hair loss workup.

Is zinc testing worth doing?

It depends on your presentation. Current evidence doesn’t support zinc as a useful screening test for hair loss in general; a large recent study found only a minor, not clinically meaningful, difference in zinc levels between patients with hair loss and controls.¹¹ However, in alopecia areata and chronic telogen effluvium specifically, low zinc is more consistently documented, and zinc supplementation has shown meaningful regrowth in patients with a confirmed deficiency.¹¹,¹²

For help with this or any other health problem, book an appointment here or call the office at 416-481-0222 for more information. If you are anywhere in the province of Ontario, I can provide tailored advice either in person or virtually.

If you are outside of Ontario, Canada, I can’t provide personalized treatment, but you can get general information about natural approaches for PCOS in my ebook here.

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Authored by Dr. Pamela Frank, BSc(Hons), ND

Dr. Pamela Frank has been in practice as a naturopathic doctor for over 26 years. Since 1999, she has earned acclaim as a leading naturopath in Toronto, amassing multiple awards.

Dr. Pamela has a special interest in addressing hormone-related complexities, including but not limited to PCOS, endometriosis, acne, hair loss, weight management, thyroid issues, and fertility.

Residing in Toronto with her family and loyal companion, Dolly the rescue dog, Dr. Pamela seamlessly combines her professional commitment with a diverse range of interests.

Beyond her clinical endeavours, she actively engages in kickboxing, leadership roles within Scout Groups, yoga practice, podcasting, and outdoor pursuits such as backcountry camping.

Dr. Pamela’s comprehensive approach reflects not only her dedication to optimal health but also her passion for continual personal and professional growth.

Hair Loss Research

1. Paus R, Cotsarelis G. The biology of hair follicles. N Engl J Med. 1999 Aug 12;341(7):491-7. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199908123410706. PMID: 10441606.
2. Malkud S. Telogen Effluvium: A Review. J Clin Diagn Res. 2015 Sep;9(9): WE01-3. doi: 10.7860/JCDR/2015/15219.6492. Epub 2015 Sep 1. PMID: 26500992; PMCID: PMC4606321.
3. Asghar F, Shamim N, Farooque U, Sheikh H, Aqeel R. Telogen Effluvium: A Review of the Literature. Cureus. 2020 May 27;12(5):e8320. doi: 10.7759/cureus.8320. PMID: 32607303; PMCID: PMC7320655.
4. Trüeb RM. Molecular mechanisms of androgenetic alopecia. Exp Gerontol. 2002 Aug-Sep;37(8-9):981-90. doi: 10.1016/s0531-5565(02)00093-1. PMID: 12213548.
5. Sekhavat H, Bar Yehuda S, Asotra S. Using the Mechanisms of Action Involved in the Pathogenesis of Androgenetic Alopecia to Treat Hair Loss. Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Nov 3;26(21):10712. doi: 10.3390/ijms262110712. PMID: 41226747; PMCID: PMC12608207.
6. Trüeb RM, Dias MFRG. Alopecia Areata: a Comprehensive Review of Pathogenesis and Management. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2018 Feb;54(1):68-87. doi: 10.1007/s12016-017-8620-9. PMID: 28717940.
7. Hussein RS, Atia T, Bin Dayel S. Impact of Thyroid Dysfunction on Hair Disorders. Cureus. 2023 Aug 10;15(8):e43266. doi: 10.7759/cureus.43266. PMID: 37692605; PMCID: PMC10492440.
8. Rasheed H, Mahgoub D, Hegazy R, El-Komy M, Abdel Hay R, Hamid MA, Hamdy E. Serum ferritin and vitamin D in female hair loss: do they play a role? Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2013;26(2):101-7. doi: 10.1159/000346698. Epub 2013 Feb 20. PMID: 23428658.
9. Almohanna HM, Ahmed AA, Tsatalis JP, Tosti A. The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2019 Mar;9(1):51-70. doi: 10.1007/s13555-018-0278-6. Epub 2018 Dec 13. PMID: 30547302; PMCID: PMC6380979.
10. Mirallas O, Grimalt R. The Postpartum Telogen Effluvium Fallacy. Skin Appendage Disord. 2016 May;1(4):198-201. doi: 10.1159/000445385. Epub 2016 Apr 20. PMID: 27386466; PMCID: PMC4908443.
11. Liran O, Vered S, Cohen B, Shapiro Ben David S, Nakhleh A, Rahamim-Cohen D, Azuri J, Adler L. Hair Loss and Zinc Deficiency: A Cross-Sectional Study. Healthcare (Basel). 2025 Nov 19;13(22):2965. doi: 10.3390/healthcare13222965. PMID: 41302353; PMCID: PMC12652007.
12. Park H, Kim CW, Kim SS, Park CW. The therapeutic effect and the changed serum zinc level after zinc supplementation in alopecia areata patients who had a low serum zinc level. Ann Dermatol. 2009 May;21(2):142-6. doi: 10.5021/ad.2009.21.2.142. Epub 2009 May 31. PMID: 20523772; PMCID: PMC2861201.
13. Gupta AK, Talukder M, Venkataraman M, Bamimore MA. Minoxidil: a comprehensive review. J Dermatolog Treat. 2022 Jun;33(4):1896-1906. doi: 10.1080/09546634.2021.1945527. Epub 2021 Jul 20. PMID: 34159872.
14. Olsen EA, Weiner MS, Amara IA, DeLong ER. Five-year follow-up of men with androgenetic alopecia treated with topical minoxidil. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1990 Apr;22(4):643-6. doi: 10.1016/0190-9622(90)70089-z. PMID: 2180995.
15. Suchonwanit P, Thammarucha S, Leerunyakul K. Minoxidil and its use in hair disorders: a review. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2019 Aug 9;13:2777-2786. doi: 10.2147/DDDT.S214907.

We can summarize our results by observing that Serenoa repens improves androgenetic alopecia.  Source: Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2012 Oct-Dec;25(4):1167-73. Comparative effectiveness of finasteride vs Serenoa repens in male androgenetic alopecia: a two-year study.
Rossi A, Mari E, Scarno M, Garelli V, Maxia C, Scali E, Iorio A, Carlesimo M.

This study establishes the effectiveness of naturally occurring 5-alpha reductase inhibitors against androgenetic alopecia for the first time. J Altern Complement Med. 2002 Apr;8(2):143-52. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of botanically derived inhibitors of 5-alpha-reductase in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Prager N, Bickett K, French N, Marcovici G.

Overall, ricinoleic acid, acteoside, amentoflavone, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, and hinokiflavone are PTGDS inhibitors with good pharmacokinetic properties and minimal adverse skin reactions.  J Ethnopharmacol. 2015 Dec 4;175:470-80. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2015.10.005. Epub 2015 Oct 9.
In silico prediction of prostaglandin D2 synthase inhibitors from herbal constituents for the treatment of hair loss.
Fong P1, Tong HH2, Ng KH2, Lao CK2, Chong CI2, Chao CM2.

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 on this website.