Why Am I Losing So Much Hair? A Nutritionist’s Perspective

Hair loss is one of the most distressing symptoms many of my clients come to me with. For some, it’s gradual thinning. For others, it can feel like their hair is suddenly falling out in clumps.

It’s incredibly emotional — our hair can feel so tied up with our identity, femininity, and confidence.

There are lots of possible reasons behind hair loss, and it often takes a bit of detective work to get to the root of it. But as a Nutritional Therapist, there are some really common patterns I see when clients are experiencing excess shedding or thinning.

Here are some of the key things I consider in clinic:

1.     Iron and Ferritin

Low iron is one of the most common causes of hair loss I see in clinic — especially in women with heavy periods. Even if your haemoglobin looks “normal” on a GP blood test, your iron stores (measured as ferritin) might still be low.

For healthy hair growth, I’m usually looking for ferritin to be at least 50–70 ng/mL. If you’re under this range, it might be something to explore — especially if you’re also feeling tired, dizzy, or cold all the time.

2. Thyroid Function

Your thyroid controls metabolism and plays a big role in regulating the growth and turnover of your hair. If it’s underactive (even just slightly), hair loss or thinning can be one of the first signs.

Thyroid issues are more common in women, and sometimes missed if only a TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) test is done. When clients are experiencing hair loss, I often recommend checking a full thyroid panel: TSH, free T3, free T4 — and sometimes thyroid antibodies too.

3. Zinc

Zinc is involved in hair follicle structure and repair, and is also key for immune health and hormone balance. I sometimes see hair loss after illness or stress when zinc has been depleted.

It’s a tricky one because both deficiency and excess can be an issue, so it’s one I prefer to test rather than supplement blindly. Blood tests can give us a good indication of whether you’re in the optimal range.

4. B Vitamins – Especially Biotin & B12

Biotin gets a lot of hype in hair supplements — and for good reason. It’s essential for keratin production, which is the protein that makes up your hair.

But I also look at vitamin B12, especially in vegetarians or those with digestive issues. Low B12 can show up as fatigue, brain fog, and brittle or thinning hair.

5. Stress & Cortisol

I can’t write about hair loss without talking about stress.

Stress — especially chronic, ongoing stress — can push hair follicles into a “resting” phase, which causes more shedding a few months down the line. This is known as telogen effluvium, and I see it a lot in clients after burnout, a major life event, or illness.

In these cases, we support the nervous system, gently replenish nutrients, and work on restoring the body’s sense of safety.

6. Protein & Overall Nutrition

Hair is made of protein — so if you’re not eating enough, your body will prioritise other functions and hair growth will take a back seat.

I always ask about protein intake, especially if someone is following a plant-based or restrictive diet. And I’ll also check in on overall calorie intake — chronic under-eating, even unintentionally, can contribute to hair loss too.

What I Test for as a Nutritional Therapist

When I work with clients experiencing hair loss, I may suggest checking:

• Full iron panel (ferritin, serum iron, TIBC)

• Thyroid panel (TSH, free T3, free T4 ± antibodies)

• Vitamin B12 and folate

• Zinc

• Vitamin D (which plays a role in many hair-related pathways)

• Cortisol (if stress is a major factor)

• Sometimes hormone testing if there’s a PCOS or androgenic pattern

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A Note on Hormones

Hair loss can also be hormonal. I sometimes see this in women with PCOS (often related to high androgens), postpartum hair loss, or changes linked to perimenopause. In these cases, we also look at oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels — and support hormone balance with food and lifestyle strategies.

Final Thoughts

Hair loss is often your body’s way of telling you something’s out of balance.

Rather than just throwing supplements at the problem, it’s worth taking a step back, looking at the bigger picture, and running some targeted tests to understand what’s really going on.

If you’re struggling with this and you’d like a personalised plan (or to explore functional testing), I offer free introductory mini consultations. Just book by clicking below or sending me a DM with the word "CALL" on Instagram.

You're not alone — and there are ways to support healthy hair growth from the inside out.

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