While not totally uncommon, hair loss can be distressing. We don’t totally feel ourselves when our appearance changes, and hair loss is no exception.
If you’re losing hair, it’s totally normal to wonder what might be causing your hair loss. It can simply be a sign of normal aging, but it can also be a sign of a more serious condition. Many people wonder if their hair loss might be triggered by diabetes, especially if they feel they might be displaying other symptoms of diabetes.
We get this question often at Entelechy Life, so let’s confront it. We’ll discuss whether hair loss can be caused by diabetes and review some common hormonal issues that may be caused by diabetes.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects your body’s metabolic and hormonal systems. Normally, your body breaks down the food you eat into sugar – glucose – and then releases it into your bloodstream. When this sugar is released into your blood, your pancreas knows to release insulin, which signals to your cells to take in that sugar to produce energy. For diabetics, their bodies do not produce enough insulin or aren’t able to use insulin the way it should, leading to high blood sugar. Over a long period of time, elevated blood sugar can cause other health issues.
One common issue for diabetics is hair loss. In fact, many people may notice their hair loss before they ever even know they have diabetes.
Understanding Hair Loss and Diabetes
So, the short answer is yes, hair loss can be a sign of diabetes. Let’s talk about some ways diabetes can lead to hair loss:
- Poor Blood Circulation
Diabetes can lead to poor blood circulation. When hair follicles don’t receive enough nutrients and oxygen from the blood, they can weaken, leading to hair loss.
- Hormonal Imbalance
Diabetes affects insulin levels and other hormones in the body. This hormonal imbalance can disrupt the natural hair growth cycle, causing your hair to fall out without an apparent cause.
- Autoimmune Issues
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition. Sometimes people with autoimmune diseases may also develop alopecia areata, another autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss.
Diabetes can entail any of these issues that cause hair loss, but hair loss alone isn’t a sign of diabetes. While hair loss certainly is noticeable, you may not be able to self-diagnose poor circulation, hormonal imbalance, or autoimmune issues, so you may want to investigate some other tip-offs that your hair loss might be triggered by diabetes.
Common Symptoms of Diabetes
If you’re experiencing hair loss and are concerned that you may be diabetic, look for other common symptoms of diabetes such as the following:
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Unexplained weight loss
- Persistent fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Slow healing of cuts and wounds
If you notice a combination of these symptoms along with hair loss, it’s a good idea to speak with your doctor to see if you may have diabetes.
Addressing Diabetes-Related Hair Loss
If you’re concerned about hair loss and diabetes, there are several steps you can take to manage and potentially reduce hair loss:
- Monitor Blood Sugar Levels
Keeping your blood sugar levels within a healthy range is crucial. It’s probably the most crucial advice for any diabetic, and that’s why it’s so important to mention. High blood sugar can exacerbate hair loss and other diabetes-related complications. Regularly monitoring your blood sugar and working with your healthcare provider to manage your diabetes effectively can help.
- Maintain a Balanced Diet
Part of keeping your blood sugar in check involves maintaining a healthy diet. A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals supports overall health, including hair health. Ensuring that you eat plenty of protein and foods that contain iron (red meats and spinach are just some foods rich in iron) is essential for hair growth. Deficiencies in either can lead to hair loss. Vitamin E and zinc also help promote healthy hair follicles. Incorporate foods rich in vitamin E and zinc (for starters, avocado, pumpkin, almonds, turkey, and yogurt are just a few) and discuss supplementation with your doctor.
- Manage Stress
Stress can worsen both diabetes and hair loss. Practicing stress management techniques such as meditation, yoga, and journaling can help you regulate stress levels. Engaging in stress-relieving activities such as regularly exercising and spending time with loved ones will also help you keep stress in check. Don’t forget too that getting enough sleep at night is essential for stress management.
- Consult a Specialist
If your hair loss persists, it may be helpful to see a dermatologist or an endocrinologist. They can provide further treatments and recommend strategies tailored to your specific needs.
Other Hormonal Issues Connected to Diabetes
We briefly mentioned earlier how diabetes can upset your hormonal balance. These hormonal imbalances (triggered by diabetes or arising otherwise) can also trigger hair loss. Diabetes primarily affects production of the hormone insulin, but it can affect many other hormones your body depends upon for functioning. If you experience many symptoms of one of these specific issues, it can be a definite sign to consult your doctor to investigate. Here are some diabetic-hormonal connections to be aware of. Each of these specific hormonal imbalances can affect your hair growth and loss too.
Thyroid Disorders
Thyroid problems are common in patients with diabetes. Both hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), often caused by diabetes, affect your metabolism rates.
These are some signs you may be experiencing a thyroid issue:
- Weight changes
- Fatigue
- Changes in heart rate
- Temperature sensitivity
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is a female reproductive issue stemming from hormonal imbalance. PCOS individuals experience abnormally high levels of male hormones called androgens. Women with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing PCOS.
Common PCOS symptoms include the following:
- Irregular and/or painful menstrual cycles
- Unexplained weight gain
- Acne
- Excessive hair growth on the face and body (hirsutism)
Adrenal Gland Disorders
Diabetes can also affect adrenal gland function. The adrenal glands produce cortisol and other hormones that regulate stress and metabolism.
Impaired adrenal function can lead to any of the following:
- Fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Weight loss or gain
- Skin changes
Entelechy Life Helps You Manage All Your Diabetic Concerns
Hair loss can be just one sign of diabetes, and diabetes can trigger many other hormonal issues. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of diabetes, or are looking for a new approach to diabetic care, we invite you to manage your health here at Entelechy Life in Wichita. Our super knowledgeable and compassionate team is here to help you navigate all of your health concerns.
Our functional medicine approach allows us to focus on the root cause of your hair loss and/or diabetes and work toward a total solution. We believe in going a step beyond managing symptoms, so our patients can experience complete restoration.
Contact us at 316-413-8768 or online. We’d be more than happy to assist you in caring for your diabetes.