Hair loss in addition to nutritional deficiency can be due to hormonal imbalance or sexually transmitted diseases or thyroid disease.
Hair loss occurs when hair begins to thin, fall out or fall out in patches. Sudden hair loss can be temporary due to stress, changes in hair care products, and other environmental factors. However, this condition also has the risk of lasting depending on the cause and the degree of impact on the hair growth cycle. Some of the diseases below can cause severe hair loss.
Thyroid disease
The thyroid gland is located in the neck and has the role of creating the necessary hormones to regulate breathing, heart rate, mood, and digestion. A thyroid gland that is not working properly can cause hormonal imbalances that affect the entire body. People with thyroid disease sometimes experience hair thinning, sparse hair, and thin eyebrows.
Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) and hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) can both cause thinning hair. This hair loss condition is usually temporary, but complete treatment will help hair grow back.
Sexually transmitted diseases
Sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis can cause hair to fall out in patches on the scalp and eyebrows. Hair grows back after the disease is treated. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can also indirectly cause hair loss. People infected with HIV are at risk of anemia due to iron deficiency and malnutrition.
Hormonal imbalance
Hormonal imbalances related to polycystic ovary syndrome and reproductive control can easily lead to hair loss. Hair loss in this case is due to the ovaries overproducing androgen hormones, causing hair loss in the temples and front of the scalp.
This change in hormone levels also sometimes causes excessive hair growth on the face and chest. Some women going through menopause also experience thinning hair due to naturally reduced estrogen levels.
Lack of nutrients
The body needs appropriate amounts of vitamins and minerals to support healthy cells to function and grow. Nutrient deficiencies can lead to hair loss over time. A diet full of nutrients is essential to keep your hair and body healthy. Common nutrient deficiencies that cause hair to break easily are as follows:
Biotin is a B vitamin found in organ meats, eggs, fish, seeds, nuts and sweet potatoes. They help convert food into energy to maintain activity.
Iron produces hemoglobin to transport oxygen in red blood cells and hormones. Iron is found in meat, seafood, poultry, lentils, spinach, kidney beans, nuts, and iron-fortified cereals
Protein effective in cell growth and repair. Protein sources include animal products such as meat, milk, eggs and fish, and plant sources include beans, soybeans, and legumes.
Zinc Supports the immune system and helps create DNA and proteins. Zinc is found in oysters, meat, crab, lobster, and zinc-fortified cereals.
Lupus
Lupus is another autoimmune disease that causes widespread inflammation of the skin, especially the face and scalp. Patients lose hair and gradually become bald. Not only hair but also eyelashes, eyebrows, and beard are at risk of falling out. Some medications help recovery, but sometimes the condition is permanent.
Poisoned
People poisoned by arsenic, thallium, mercury, boric acid and lithium experience hair loss as side effects. Consuming large amounts of warfarin, an ingredient in rat poison, is also an agent that affects hair. Hair usually grows back after exposure to the toxin stops.