Hair loss

From DoctorMyhill
Jump to navigation Jump to search

[UPDATED JULY 2022]

Introduction

Hair loss I consider to be a symptom of poor energy balance. In thinking about this we need to consider energy delivery mechanisms (mitochondrial, adrenal , thyroid and gut function together with diet). We must also think about how energy is wasted (immunological and emotional holes in the energy bucket). Indeed this poor balance probably explains the loss of hair which is part of the ageing process.

See Overview of CFS/ME protocol for more on this "Energy Equation"

Indeed chemotherapy, which targets energy delivery systems, often results in hair loss.

Male pattern baldness is due to testosterone.

Starting Point for Treatment

The starting point to treat hair loss is the Basic Package of treatment namely the Paleo Ketogenic diet, nutritional supplements, good quality sleep, the right balance between work and exercise and detoxing.

See-

The two common types of hair loss I see are diffuse loss of hair, whereby hair falls out diffusely from all over the scalp, and focal loss, where there is a very well defined area of complete baldness. Focal loss is most often caused by autoimmunity (alopecia areata - see Wikipedia Page on Alopecia areata). It is similar to the process of vitiligo in the skin. The latter often responds well to a combination of high dose folic acid 5 mg and B12 5,000mg sublingually or better still 500 mcg injected daily, and this would be well worth trying in alopecia areata.

Common causes of diffuse hair loss and helpful interventions

Hypothyroidism

This is a very common cause of diffuse hair loss. Typically, the outer third of the eyebrows are often lost. See Hypothyroidism.

Micronutrient deficiencies

Almost any micronutrient deficiency could present with hair loss. This is because the manufacture of hair is a very energy dependent, micronutrient dependent process. An obvious illustration of this can be seen in people having radiotherapy or chemotherapy for cancer, in which case the hair cells are easily damaged and sufferers lose their hair.

Micronutrient deficiency can occur because of poor quality diet, but people eating a paleo ketogenic, diet and taking my standard recommendations for nutritional supplements can avoid most deficiencies. See Nutritional Supplements and Ketogenic diet - the practical details.

Poor Digestion

Hypochlorhydria and lack of pancreatic enzymes (tested for with Elastase - a new test for pancreatic disease) will mean that food is inefficiently digested and absorbed. Trace elements in particular need an acid environment for optimum absorption and lack of this acid is a common cause of iron deficiency anaemia. Iron is carried in the blood by a carrier protein called ferritin and low levels of ferritin can certainly result in hair loss. Tea drinking can cause mineral deficiency because tea chelates trace elements. If somebody’s hair goes grey at a young age, this is typical of B12 deficiency and possible pernicious anaemia. Interestingly, copper deficiency can present with Menkes kinky hair syndrome, where the hair is unusually kinked. See National Children's Website Page on Menkes Disease

Infections in the scalp

This is usually obvious because the skin is roughened or eczematous. The commonest reasons for this are yeast infections, which can be got rid of by dint of doing a low carbohydrate diet combined with antifungals such as Griseofulvin, Lamisil, the conazole range of drugs, or even topical ketoconazole (Nizoral shampoo).

Joint Mix

In structure, hair is very similar to connective tissue needed to make joints in the body. All the raw materials for this are present in my Joint mix, namely glucosamine, boron and organic silica. Indeed, the best source of organic silica in UK is in horsetail – so named because of its beneficial effects on the tails of horses.

Drug therapy

Topical vasodilators, which improve blood flow to the scalp, are of proven benefit in hair loss. The one best known is Minoxidil, but it is rather expensive. The problem is that one has to use them constantly, even once the hair is grown, otherwise the hair simply falls out again.

Related tests

Related Articles

External Links

My Online Community

Please join my online community -



Sarah Myhill Limited :: Registered in England and Wales :: Registration No. 4545198
Registered Office: Upper Weston, Llangunllo, Knighton, Powys, Wales LD7 1SL, UK. Tel 01547 550331 | Fax 01547 550339