Hello Reader,

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One of the first things I noticed before my official diagnosis of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis was hair loss.

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Even with thyroid labs that my doctor said were “normal”, I knew something was wrong when I was pulling out wads of hair while in the shower. So I went down a rabbit hole and eventually figured out what was wrong and what I could do about it.

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I’m happy to report that I’m no longer shedding an abnormal amount of hair.

So I thought I’d share some of what I learned about natural ways to tackle hair loss…

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Thyroid issues, nutrient deficiencies, inflammation, hormone imbalances, stress, poor metabolic health, and autoimmune conditions can all contribute to hair loss. That’s why it’s important to work with a health care provider to run labs and investigate why you’re losing hair.

Supplements and medications alone won’t fix hair loss - the underlying cause also needs to be addressed.

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Nutrients with the strongest link to hair loss:

• Vitamin D - Deficiency is very common and is linked to hair loss in many studies, especially in people with autoimmune conditions.
• Iron - Low iron is one of the most overlooked causes of hair loss and is particularly prevalent in menstruating females. Of note - the ferritin level needed to stop hair loss may be higher than what standard labs flag as “normal”. If supplementing with iron, always pair it with Vitamin C to enhance its absorption.
• Zinc - Necessary for hair growth and has been found to be low in people with hair loss.

What about Biotin?

This is probably the most popular nutrient that you’ll find in hair loss supplements, but studies are inconsistent as to whether it is beneficial. Unless you are deficient, which is rare, it seems like this supplement might not be as good as it’s marketed to be. Plus, too much biotin can interfere with lab results, especially thyroid markers.

Other therapies:

• Ashwagandha - Research suggests this might be helpful for stress-induced hair loss. Use caution if you are sensitive to nightshades and check with your doctor first if you are taking thyroid hormones.
• Saw palmetto and pumpkin seed oil - May help with hormone-driven hair loss. Check with your doctor if these might be right for you.
• Red Light Therapy - Multiple studies support its use for reducing hair loss and promoting hair growth. Scalp-shaped devices are fairly easy to find nowadays, but it requires consistent use over several months.

What to do if you’re experiencing hair loss:

• See your doctor: Get labs done - at minimum, Vitamin D, ferritin, A1C, fasting glucose, and a full thyroid panel (TSH, free T3, free T4, and thyroid antibodies if not already checked)
• Address root causes through diet and lifestyle: Blood sugar stability, stress reduction, and inflammation control are overlooked foundations of health
• Then add targeted therapies based on what your labs actually show (or suspected root causes)
• Be patient! It can take several months to see results

I'd love to hear from you - are you dealing with hair loss? What has worked, and what hasn't?

Struggling with thyroid symptoms too? Check out my Thyroid Infographic HERE for a deeper look at how to support thyroid health.

And if you want to dig into the root cause of your hair loss, book a discovery call - I'd love to help.

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Sending you love and light,

Dora

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Recommendations

• Recipe - Black Sesame Spread for hair: Slather this delicious spread on toast, add it to a warm drink, or just eat it by the spoonful! Here’s a recipe you can try: https://after40glow.com/black-sesame-seeds-recipes/​
• What I use for hair loss: Vitamin D3 & K2 drops by OrthoMolecular, Reneuva by Thyroid Formulations, and Divi topical solution (Check with a health care provider before trying any of these!)
  • If you'd like to explore my preferred supplements, here's a link to my supplement storefront:
    • US: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/doctordoranutrition​
    • Canada: https://ca.fullscript.com/welcome/doctordoranutrition​

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Upcoming

• Having gut issues? I offer gut health & microbiome screening tests + personalized support. With a simple, at-home stool test you can get a glimpse into the health of your digestive system and your gut microbiome.
• I have room for 2 more people in my 10-week Living Light Reset Program this summer. This structured, holistic program is for people ready to feel lighter (physically and emotionally). It’s ideal for those who like having accountability and personal support. My clients typically lose 15-30lbs and make lasting behavioral changes.

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Hi there! I'm Dora. I'm an unconventional pharmacist & holistic nutritionist with a focus on metabolic health and autoimmune disease. I'm also a homeschooling mom to my twin girls, and a sucker for cute dog videos. 🐶 I think you're amazing.

Find out more about my programs & services at www.doctordora.com​

References I used for this newsletter:

​https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6380979/​

​https://www.dermatologytimes.com/view/addressing-causes-of-female-hair-loss-and-exploring-preventative-measures​

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