Vitamin D and Hair Loss, some say no connection

"No Evidence Hair Loss Caused by Vitamin D Deficiency Feb 26, 2011 3:08am by Peter Egan Jr.   While answering questions on one of my favorite health forums recently, I came across a question posed by a man who asked if vitamin D deficiency caused hair loss. My initial reaction was to think of how little it would surprise me if in fact a prolonged shortcoming of the ever-important nutrient did act as a precursor to premature balding. It seems that vitamin D deficiency renders a person exponentially more vulnerable to virtually every other disease, illness and adverse condition out there. However, my research seemed to indicate that there is no established relationship between hair loss and vitamin D deficiency. That is not to say that there will never be one, rather that science has not produced any evidence of a relationship between the two. It is entirely possible that at some point in the future, research will show that hair loss may be linked to less-than-ideal levels of the nutrient. It is also possible that in some cases, hair loss may be associated with another illness already shown to be caused in part by a shortage of vitamin D."

Genetic Hair Loss Testing



At Home Hair Loss Test

Evaluation for causative disorders should be done based on clinical symptoms. Because they are not usually associated with an increased loss rate, male-pattern and female-pattern hair loss don’t generallyrequire testing. If hair loss occurs in a young man with no family history, the physician should question the patient on drug and illicit drug use.

• The pull test: this test helps to evaluate diffuse scalp hair loss. Gentle traction is exerted on a group of hair (about 40–60) on three different areas of the scalp. The number of extracted hairs is counted and examined under a microscope. Normally, <3 hairs per area should come out with each pull. If >10 hairs are obtained, the pull test is considered positive.

• The pluck test: In this test, the individual pulls hair out “by the roots.” The root of the plucked hair is examined under a microscope to determine the phase of growth and used to diagnose a defect of telogen, anagen, or systemic disease. Telogen hairs are hairs that have tiny bulbs without sheaths at their roots. Telogen effluvium shows an increased percentage of hairs upon examination. Anagen hairs are hairs that have sheaths attached to their roots. Anagen effluvium shows a decrease in telogen-phase hairs and an increased number of broken hairs.

• Scalp biopsy: This test is done when alopecia is present, but the diagnosis is unsure. The biopsy allows for differing between scarring and nonscarring forms. Hair samples are taken from areas of inflammation, usually around the border of the bald patch.

• Daily Hair Counts: This is normally done when the pull test is negative. It is done by counting the number of hairs lost. The hair that should be counted are the hairs from the first morning combing or during washing. The hair is collected in a clear plastic bag for 14 days. The strands are recorded. If the hair count is >100/day is considered abnormal except after shampooing, where hair counts will be up 250 and be normal.

• Trichoscopy: Trichoscopy is a non-invasive method of hair and scalp. The test may be performed with the use of a hadheld dermoscope or a videodermoscope. It allows differential diagnosis of hair loss in most cases.

Alopecia

Alopecia means loss of hair from the head or body. This includes baldness, a term generally reserved for pattern alopecia or androgenic alopecia. Compulsive pulling of hair (trichotillomania) can also produce alopecia. Hairstyling routines such as ponytails or braids can also induce hair loss, as can hair relaxer solutions, and hot hair irons. In some cases, alopecia is due to underlying medical conditions, such as iron deficiency.^[1]
Generally, patchy hair loss signifies alopecia areata. Alopecia areata typically presents with sudden hair loss causing patches to appear on the scalp or other areas of the body. If left untreated, or if the disease does not respond to treatment, complete baldness can result in the affected area, or alopecia totalis. When the entire body suffers from complete hair loss, it is alopecia universalis. It is similar to effects that occur with chemotherapy.<sup>[2]

References</sup>

1. "Hair loss, balding, hair shedding. DermNet NZ". http://dermnetnz.org/hair-nails-sweat/hair-loss.html. Retrieved 2007-12-07. 
2. "Chemotherapy and hair loss: What to expect during treatment - MayoClinic.com". http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hair-loss/CA00037. Retrieved 2007-12-07. 

Pathology

Hair follicle growth occurs in cycles. Each cycle consists of a long growing phase (anagen), a short transitional phase (catagen) and a short resting phase (telogen).

At the end of the resting phase, the hair falls out (exogen) and a new hair starts growing in the follicle beginning the cycle again.

Normally about 100 hairs reach the end of their resting phase each day and fall out.

When more than 100 hairs fall out per day, clinical hair loss (telogen effluvium) may occur. A disruption of the growing phase causes abnormal loss of anagen hairs (anagen effluvium).

It started taking me more and more time to comb my hair every day.  I spent countless hours at doctor’s offices and I tried every blood test imaginable.  We checked my Thyroid and that always showed up fine.  But yet, my hair continued to thin. 

In this blog please share your story to help others cope with hair loss.

You may find this article intering.

Women and Hair Loss: The Causes

Today more women than ever are experiencing hair loss -- and the causes may be quite different that what causes balding in men.

By Colette Bouchez
WebMD Feature

Reviewed by Charlotte E. Grayson Mathis, MD

From Lady Godiva to the Breck Girl, Farah Fawcett to Jennifer Aniston, there is no question that, at least for women, hair is often a defining point in personal style. That's one reason why so many women panic at even the thought of losing a few hairs down the drain with each shampoo.

Those fears are not unfounded, as each year more women are forced to come to grips with the possibility of serious hair loss. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it's a growing problem, affecting some 30 million women in the United States -- with some forms of loss occurring at earlier ages, and being seen in increasing numbers.

"I have seen women as young as 15 or 16 develop hair loss problems -- it's not common, but it's also not that rare," says Ted Daly, MD, a dermatologist from Nassau University Medical Center on Long Island, who specializes in the treatment of female hair loss.
But what exactly causes a woman to lose her hair? To understand that, it's important to know a little something about how hair grows.