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Hidden Causes of Hair Loss and What to Do About It

By Ethan Boldt

October 3, 2025

All of us want a full head of healthy hair. But if you’re dealing with hair loss, you’re definitely not alone. While men are more commonly associated with hair loss, women make up 40 percent of American hair loss sufferers, according to the American Hair Loss Association. 

Our hair actually goes through a three-phase cycle: growth (anagen), regression (catagen) and resting (telogen). The resting phase is when we encounter natural shedding, allowing new hair growth to occur. 

The normal amount of hair loss is shedding around 50 to 150 strands of hair per day. If the hair loss is over 200 strands, that’s considered excessive and warrants visiting a healthcare professional. 

While it’s hard to notice how many strands of hair you’re losing, what is more obvious when it comes to hair loss is visible hair thinning, a part that’s widening, a receding hairline, bald spots, brittle hair and so on. 

So what are some of the hidden causes of hair loss? After we cover that, we’ll provide a checklist of dealing with each of these causes, including certain steps to consider that can help stop or at least slow down hair loss. 

Hidden causes of hair loss

Hair loss, also known as alopecia, can be caused by a variety of factors.  

Male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) accounts for a good percentage of hair loss in men. The typical pattern starts with a receding hairline and/or thinning crown, progressing to the familiar “M” or “U” shape.

The main cause for men is hair follicles’ sensitivity to DHT (5α-Dihydrotestosterone), a male androgen that shrinks follicles. High levels of DHT means shorter follicle lifespan and reduced hair growth.

Insulin resistance can also contribute. 

Female pattern baldness is very common and affects up many women by age 50. It involves thinning on top or center of head (not full baldness like men). It is a gradual process that can begin as early as a woman's late teens. 

For women, there are multiple hidden causes of hair loss (some also apply to men):

• Hormonal shifts (pregnancy, menopause, birth control), including a hormone imbalance — note that hormone-related hair loss is typically temporary; normal hair growth will return once hormonal balance returns

• Certain medications, including birth control pills and blood thinners 

• Thyroid issues

• Shortfalls in iron, zinc, and vitamin B12

• Omega-3 shortfall 

• Low protein intake 

• Excessive levels of stress, including cortisol dysregulation

• Having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

• Autoimmune disorders, including alopecia areata and lupus

• Poor gut absorption can impair nutrient uptake

• Toxin exposure (heavy metals, mold, endocrine disruptors) 

• Tight hairstyles 

• Excessive heat styling 

• Sudden weight loss, crash diets or low-calorie regimens

• Chronic inflammation (hidden infections, high sugar intake, allergies, etc.) stresses follicles

• Sleep deprivation impacts growth hormone and repair cycles

Of course, both men and women can inherit hair loss tendencies — male-pattern baldness and female-pattern hair loss — from their parents. It’s considered the most common cause. 

Checklist to address hair loss

1. Nutrition changes

Get a blood test to determine if you have any nutrient shortfalls. Iron, zinc, vitamins D and B, as well as omega-3 fatty acids (particularly EPA and DHA) help maintain healthy hair follicles and promote hair growth. Not getting enough protein can affect keratin production. 

Checklist: 

• Check iron status (ferritin, hemoglobin, iron panels).

• Assess zinc, vitamin D and B vitamin levels (especially B12 and biotin).

• Eat foods high in those minerals and vitamins: meat, fish and eggs are high in iron, zinc, vitamin D, biotin and B12; dairy is high in B12, biotin, D and zinc. 

• Consider taking a multivitamin. 

• Review omega-3 fatty acid intake (fish, flax, chia, walnuts).

• Ensure adequate protein intake (at least 20 to 30 grams per meal).

2. Hormone balance

For both women and men, the role of one’s hormones directly affects hair growth and loss. Thyroid imbalances can cause diffuse thinning. Chronic stress and related high levels of cortisol can cause hair shedding. 

Among women, a PCOS (can mean high levels of androgens) diagnosis can contribute to hair loss. Drops in estrogen (postpartum, menopause, stopping birth control) can cause shedding. Meanwhile, when progesterone is low (perimenopause, menopause, stress), DHT levels may increase. Lastly, elevated levels of prolactin can disrupt estrogen/progesterone balance. 

Among men, DHT is the main culprit in male pattern baldness. Note that follicle sensitivity is largely genetic, as you can still have a full head of hair and have high DHT. Insulin is also linked to hair loss, as high levels can increase androgen activity and DHT production.

Checklist:

• Screen for thyroid issues (TSH, free T3, free T4, antibodies) for both women and men.

• For women: rule out PCOS, estrogen/progesterone imbalance, excess androgens.

• For men: review DHT levels and insulin. 

• Assess cortisol/stress response (saliva or urine testing).

3. Gut and autoimmune health

When the gut lining gets inflamed, it’s not able to absorb key nutrients (like iron, zinc, vitamin D and B, and protein) critical for keratin production, follicle strength and healthy hair cycles. Some people suffer from poor gut absorption of nutrients because of conditions like celiac disease, IBD, leaky gut, etc. or from low stomach acid or digestive enzyme insufficiency. 

A microbiome imbalance can increase unhealthy inflammation and shorten the hair growth phase and increase shedding. 

In addition, certain autoimmune disorders can contribute to hair loss, such as when the body’s own immune system attacks the hair follicles. 

Checklist: 

• Test for celiac disease or gluten sensitivity if digestion is an issue.

• Evaluate for autoimmune conditions (alopecia areata, lupus, psoriasis).

• Support gut health with probiotics, fiber and digestive support if needed.

4. Medications review

Certain medications may contribute to hair loss by disrupting the normal hair growth cycle through two main ways: directly damaging hair cells (e.g., with chemotherapy) or prematurely shifting hair follicles into a resting phase, resulting in shedding months later (e.g., blood thinners).

Checklist:

• Review prescriptions: antidepressants, statins, blood pressure meds, birth control, etc.

• Ask your healthcare professional if alternatives or dosage adjustments are possible.

5. Lifestyle changes

How you treat your hair also makes a difference (see our article on a healthy hair care routine). There are certain changes you may consider making. In addition, there are certain things you will want to avoid. 

Checklist:

• Avoid tight hairstyles (braids, ponytails, extensions) that cause traction alopecia.

• Minimize chemical dyes, relaxers and frequent heat styling.

• Use a soft, natural-bristle brush, which can minimize mechanical damage to the hair.

• Massage your scalp when shampooing (use fingertips, not fingernails) to improve blood circulation to hair follicles. 

• Limit too much sun exposure, as it can damage hair shafts.

• Check for toxin exposure (heavy metals, mold, endocrine disruptors).

• Ensure stable weight management — avoid crash diets or severe calorie restriction.

6. Recovery and stress reduction

Proper sleep and controlled levels of stress is important for hair health. 

Checklist: 

• Aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep nightly.

• Practice stress-reducing habits (breathwork, yoga, journaling).

• Consider adaptogens (ashwagandha, rhodiola) for cortisol support.

Supplement options 

Bear in mind that none of the above checklist may apply to you, yet you’re still dealing with some hair loss and thinning. That’s because hair loss is normal as one ages. By age 50, about 50 percent of women show signs of hair thinning and up to 85 percent of men have significantly thinning hair.

In other words, for most people, hair loss doesn’t necessitate you running to the doctor for a prescription. If you’re someone who simply has lost more hair than you’d like as you’ve aged (or are younger and simply are looking for shinier, healthier hair with more volume), there’s no need to get drastic with prescriptions or surgery. 

Instead, simply consider these hair-support supplements and see if they help:

• Ancient Nutrition’s Hair Growth + Collagen capsules can help one get visibly thicker hair with a proprietary blend of key clinically validated superfoods and collagen. This supplement also reduces hair breakage, helps get glossy hair and supports a healthy hair growth cycle. 

• Ancient Nutrition’s new Hair Growth Multivitamin. With methylated B12 and methylated folate, it also includes amino acid chelated minerals for better digestion and uptake. Clinically backed to reduce hair shedding by 30 percent and get visibly thicker, shinier hair in 90 days. 

• Biotin is another supplement that supports keratin infrastructure. It also plays a role in converting and using nutrients that benefit hair health. Most multis provide a good amount of biotin. 

• Saw palmetto is considered a natural DHT blocker and may help keep hair thick and healthy. Pygeum may also do the same. 

• Ashwagandha can help balance cortisol levels, so may vicariously help promote healthy, normal hair growth.