Could my hair loss be caused by malnutrition?

Question

My doctor diagnosed me with alopecia areata (diffuse) a couple months ago. My hair has been thinning for possibly up to 7-8 months.

I've lost 50 pound in the last year. (I do exercise, but I don't think enough to lose that much)

On days I have school, I don't have time to eat breakfast, and I don't eat lunch there, either.

What do you think?

Answer 1

Yes. Hair loss, or dry and brittle hair is frequently seen in people with anorexia, therefore it is a sign of malnutrition.

It means that your body is more concerned with keeping your organs healthy than your hair, which is relatively unimportant, other than for keeping in heat.

Depending on your age, it could also be simply baldness.

Answer 2

eat some food

Answer 3

You should definitely discuss this with your doctor and have blood work done. If you are not getting the right vitamins this would effect hair loss, as would being anemic.

Answer 4

Alopecia areata is considered an autoimmune disease, but the cause is unknown.

Since you lost so much weight without really trying, the cause may be an overactive thyroid. Get the following panel of tests:  TSH; Free T4; Free T3; Calculated T3; Calculated T3; thyroid antibodies.  They treat it with meds.

Malnutrition can also cause your type of alopecia.  You need to start a good quality multi-vitamin mineral & eat healthily.  Make time for breakfast. Carry around nuts with you for snacks.

Zinc picolinate 50mg.

Other causes:

Stress

Medications

Other diseases like diabetes & lupus

Viral infection can trigger it.

Ringworm

Hormones because you're going thru puberty.

Google:  mayo clinic>>diseases>>hair loss

"DHT Hx"  from www.invitehealth.com  helps with hair growth

1-800-724-5566 ask to speak to nutritionist.

Good luck

Answer 5

yes nutrition is a big part of over all health

Answer 6

not eating enough vitamins and minerals which you get from food does cause hair loss. breakfast is literally the most important meal of the day, and skipping it doesn't help you lose weight or keep hair, believe me. and not eating lunch isn't helping either.