Photo by malika iman on Flickr

• Share

PRINT

I was talking with a friend who said she is suddenly experiencing hair loss, and that it is very disappointing to her because it appears to be getting worse. She was leaning on me for advice because, she said, “I can’t look in the mirror anymore.”

She has tried all the expensive shampoos and color treatments; she has asked her doctor; and she has finally accepted the reality of losing her hair, when she is still a very pretty woman in her mid-70s. Basically, she’s given up hope for restoration.

Let’s try to understand the possible causes for hair loss. It’s not always because of advancing age, although that is one obvious reason.

Each of us sheds an estimated 100 hairs every day! That’s hard to believe, but it’s true. If you’re not growing new hairs, the hair loss becomes more evident.

So hair loss and hair growth are two different, dynamic things. You can’t stop the natural shedding process, but you do have some control over new hair growth.

If you can’t figure out the root cause of the hair loss, you are never going to solve it! Here are a few possibilities:

Statin use

People with elevated cholesterol sometimes take statin medications such as atorvastatin to help improve their ratios. A well-documented side effect of this category of medications is reduced production of thyroid hormone. And that can lead to hair loss.

This was exactly the problem with my friend. She told me she had been on a statin drug for about three years, and that’s when her problem began. Statins, through what I call their “drug-mugging effect,” lead to reduced hair growth and extra shedding.

The fix for statins is pretty simple. I suggest you talk to your physician and get a prescription for a thyroid hormone medication.

You could also try a good thyroid supplement to support thyroid hormone synthesis. Selenium supplementation may also be useful because statins are a drug mugger of selenium.

Antibiotics and anti-fungals

Many people today are being treated for infections such as Lyme disease, H. pylori, SIBO, or even acne.

Antibiotics and antifungals can interfere with your normal cycle of hair growth, and these are well known to cause hair loss beginning about two to four months into drug therapy. It’s often overlooked by doctors who have one goal in mind: to treat your infection.

But since hair loss can be profound and frightening to the patient, I’m listing this category of medications so you can take action. The fix would include some high-quality probiotics and prebiotics, as well as some patience. Upon discontinuation of the offending drug, your hair should slowly begin to grow back.

Collagen loss

As we age, our ability to produce collagen diminishes. Because collagen protects the skin, and the layer of skin that holds the hair roots, it may help indirectly with age-related hair loss.

To be clear, collagen is not really in the hair, it simply supports the hair follicle. Collagen production goes down with age, so it’s one piece of the puzzle.

The fix for collagen loss: Consider collagen peptides, which go on to form collagen in the body. They can support healthy beautiful skin as well as hair, since the collagen peptides help build hair proteins and strengthen skin around your hair roots.

Autoimmune conditions are another cause for hair loss. There are several others, and if you’d like to learn more, I have written a comprehensive article on this topic, along with “the fix” for each problem. This article can be emailed to you if you sign up for my free newsletter at suzycohen.com.

This information is opinion only. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Consult with your doctor before using any new drug or supplement.

Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe.