While it's normal to lose 50 to 100 strands of hair each day, some people experience excessive hair loss. Instead of hiding it under a Wake Forest University ballcap, it’s important to know whether an underlying health condition is to blame.
“Hair loss can be attributed to several factors,” explains Dr. David Shelburne, a family medicine physician at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. “Sometimes it’s just genetics, but other times it can be linked to your hormones, medical conditions, your diet or even stress. It's important to understand the underlying cause which is why your health care provider may run labs.”
What causes hair loss?
Alopecia areata
This autoimmune disease attacks healthy hair follicles, resulting in baldness or patchy hair loss. Alopecia hair loss can vary – it may be contained to the scalp, or it can affect all body hair.
A medication side effect
Chemotherapy attacks not only fast-growing cancer cells but also healthy hair follicles. Hair loss from the popular cancer treatment is usually temporary. It can affect the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes and overall body hair.
Hair loss can also occur as a side effect of medications, such as anti-coagulants, oral retinoids, antidepressants, beta blockers and anticonvulsants.
Nutrient deficiency
Iron deficiency anemia arises when your blood lacks sufficient hemoglobin, the iron-containing protein. An anemic individual’s red blood cells struggle to deliver oxygen effectively throughout the body, which is essential for cell repair and growth. As a result, hair follicle cells are unable to produce normal hair growth.
Severe stress
Financial problems, relationship issues, or the pressure of balancing work and personal life all can be stressful. Left unmanaged, chronic stress can lead to hair shedding since it impacts the hair regrowth process where shed hair is not followed by new hair growth.
Unmanaged thyroid disease
Hyperthyroidism, an overactive thyroid, and hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid, can cause hair shedding. However, managing the condition with medication can help decrease hair loss.
Estrogen imbalance
Estrogen levels rise significantly during pregnancy to support fetal development. After childbirth, the sharp drop in estrogen causes hormonal imbalance, leading to hair shedding and thinning.
Hair loss can also occur during menopause because of decreased estrogen levels, among other symptoms.
Is there anything you can do?
“Fortunately, there are ways minimize hair loss, but first you need to identify the cause,” explains Dr. Shelburne, who treats a variety of medical conditions at the Reynolda primary care office. “Your primary care provider likely will refer you to a dermatologist who can offer additional solutions and support during this process. Just remember, hair regrowth takes time.”
If you suspect you are losing more hair than the average person, discuss possible underlying causes with your primary care provider.
Find an Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist primary care provider near you.