Female hair loss: What to do for this distressing disorder
by Dr. Joni Labbe (luh-bay), DC, CCN, DCCN, is a San Diego-based chiropractor and clinical certified nutritionist specializing in science-based nutrition with a focus on women's health issues

 Female hair loss has become distressingly common today, affecting up to 50 percent of women in their 50s and 60s, but also many younger women and even teens. Perhaps it’s affecting you. Losing thick strands of hair during a shampoo, watching your pillow become covered in hair, seeing your scalp shine back at you in the bathroom mirror—it all can deliver a huge blow to your self-esteem.

 Hair loss is a sign of health imbalance

Although many issues can cause hair loss in women—pregnancy, crash diets, cancer treatment, severe illness or injury—the most common causes are a hormonal imbalance resulting in too much of the male hormone testosterone, or hypothyroidism (low thyroid function).

Clinically we see high testosterone causing hair loss more often than hypothyroidism, although the two often appear together, compounding the problem.

 Because regaining a formerly thick head of hair can be difficult, it’s best to prevent the problem before it begins, or at least attack it as soon as you see symptoms.

 Too much testosterone too common

A diet high in starchy and sugary foods, such as breads, pasta, rice, pastries, potatoes, soda, sweet coffee drinks, and desserts trigger an enzyme in women that over produces testosterone, a male hormone.

This starchy diet raises blood sugar too high, requiring the body to flood the bloodstream with insulin in order to normalize levels. However these aggressive insulin surges then cause blood sugar to drop too low. If you consume high-carb foods and drinks throughout the day (including caffeine, which has the same effect), your body endures a roller coaster ride of blood sugar highs and lows. This creates bursts of energy, and even euphoria, followed by crashes of fatigue and lethargy that may have you scrambling for that next sugar or caffeine fix, thus perpetuating the cycle. For many this happens over and over every day.

 Eventually the surges of insulin exhaust the body’s cells and they refuse entry to it. This is called insulin resistance and is the condition that triggers the production of excess testosterone in women (among numerous other health disorders). The result for many is not only hair loss, but also the growth of facial hair, a deepening voice, more aggressiveness, infertility, hormonal imbalances, and more. In menstruating women this often translates to a diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). The condition is extremely common in postmenopausal women as well, and women transitioning into menopause.

 Symptoms of insulin resistance

Women lose their hair and grow facial hair

PCOS

Trouble falling asleep; insomnia

Sleepy and fatigued after meals and crave sugar or caffeine

Constant hunger

Excess belly fat

Difficulty losing weight

Men create too much estrogen and grow “breasts” and may start crying at commercials or movies

 Hypothyroidism and hair loss

Another common cause of hair loss in women is hypothyroidism, or low thyroid function, a condition believed to affect up to 23 million Americans. In addition to hair loss, symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, weight gain, constipation, cold hands and feet, low libido, and depression. Sometimes people with hypothyroidism also experience periods of nervousness, irritability, anxiety, heart palpitations, and insomnia.

 The use of thyroid hormone medication can sometimes stop hair loss and allow hair to regrow. However for 90 percent of Americans, an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s attacks the thyroid gland and is responsible for hypothyroidism. Although thyroid medications may normalize lab results, many patients still experience symptoms of the disease, including hair loss. This is why it’s imperative to address the malfunctioning immune system more so than the thyroid gland. Doing so can result in a successful approach to hair loss.

When high testosterone and hypothyroidism collide

All too often I see both high testosterone and hypothyroidism in my patients. The conditions that trigger high testosterone in women also set the stage for hypothyroidism, delivering a double whammy for hair loss.

Addressing the factors that cause hypothyroidism often involves addressing high testosterone as well.

 Using natural medicine to stop hair loss

The first and most important tool in addressing most cases of female hair loss is adjusting the diet. Stopping those blood sugar that trigger the testosterone-producing enzyme is imperative. A blood sugar imbalance also triggers the autoimmune condition that causes Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism. Studies have also found strength training or interval training are very successful in helping to manage insulin resistance.

 In addition to dietary therapy and lifestyle adjustments, many scientifically backed herbs, compounds, and nutrients have been shown in numerous studies to stabilize blood sugar, reverse insulin resistance, restore balance to a malfunctioning immune system, and even stimulate the flow of blood to the head, which can foster renewed hair growth. When combined with diet and lifestyle changes, these natural medicine approaches can offer true and lasting solutions.

 Hair loss is a symptom of a larger problem

For the majority of women hair loss is a symptom of a larger metabolic problem that often can be reversed through nutritional support and natural medicine. It may require some tough changes to your diet and lifestyle, but many find their new habits become second nature and the rewards of feeling and functioning better fosters motivation. Converts to a healthier lifestyle also enjoy running their fingers through their hair without pulling out a handful.

 About the author

Dr. Joni Labbe (luh-bay), DC, CCN, DCCN, is a San Diego-based chiropractor and clinical certified nutritionist specializing in science-based nutrition with a focus on women's health issues. She uses clinically proven nutraceuticals, dietary modifications, and other tools of natural medicine to address the true cause of dysfunction and disease. She has received training from Dr. Datis Kharrazian, author of the number-one selling thyroid book, Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms When My Lab Tests Are Normal?

For a free, no-obligation 20-minute phone consultation with Dr. Labbe, or to receive a free copy of her booklet Common Questions About Hypothyroidism, call (858) 483-4770 or toll-free at (877) 600-5222. For more information, visit Dr. Labbe’s website at www.thyroid-dr.com or www.brain-dr.com.

For More Information about Women's Hair Loss, See "All About Hair Loss" Page