Medical Reasons for Thinning Hair

It's a man's nightmare. One day his barber or hair stylist casually mentions that his hair is thinning a little at the back, confirming what he might have thought all along: He's going bald.

Is there any hope? If your father was bald, does that mean you will be, too?

The average person loses 50 to 100 hairs per day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). If you notice a lot of hair falling out after combing, brushing or washing your hair, there is a reason for it, and you should consult a dermatologist to find out exactly what it is. The medical term for hair loss is alopecia, and it affects about 50 million American men, according to the AAD. And there are other causes besides heredity.

The Genetic Factor

It's true that the most common causes of hair loss in men, known as male pattern hair loss, are heredity and androgens (male hormones). Hair loss can be inherited from either the mother's or father's side of the family. If you're a man, you have a 50 percent chance of experiencing hair loss by your 50th birthday. This kind of hair loss is characterized by a receding hairline, as well as a loss of hair on top of the scalp, according to the AAD.

Here's how it works: "Some men have increased levels of a hormone known as 5-alpha reductase that transforms testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT)," says Dr. Marta Rendon, founder and medical director of the Dermatology & Aesthetic Center in Boca Raton, Fla., and Head & Shoulders Global Celebrity Dermatologist. "The overproduction of (DHT) in the hair follicle is what often leads to hair loss," says Dr. Rendon.

Other Medical Causes for Hair Loss

There are other reasons for hair loss, which may actually come as a relief to some people:

1.Telogen effluvium(TE) exhibits similar symptoms to androgenic alopecia and affects males and females, says Dr. Rendon. TE can occur when a person experiences excessive stress, causing chronic hair shedding.

2. Nutritional deficiencies can cause diffuse hair loss. These include severe deficiencies in iron, zinc, Vitamin D and biotin, and insufficient protein and certain fatty acids.

3. Calorie restriction with chronic starvation and crash dieting can cause hair loss.

4. Certain malabsorption syndromes and pancreatic disease often contribute to alopecia, says Dr. Rendon.

5. Consuming excessive amounts of vitamin A, carotenoids and some prescription medications, including accutane (taken for severe acne), can precipitate hair loss.

If you notice your hair thinning or falling out, the first step is a consultation with a dermatologist to diagnose the hair-loss condition. "A simple biopsy can help physicians pinpoint changes within skin cells of the scalp," says Dr. Rendon. "Blood tests can also aid diagnosis of the condition, as well as a physical examination, which establishes any predisposition to hair loss and can aid in distinguishing the different causes of hair loss."

Sources:

American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).

Dr. Marta Rendon, founder and medical director of the Dermatology & Aesthetic Center in Boca Raton and Head & Shoulders Global Celebrity Dermatologist.