It's common to think about the health of your hair But you might be missing clues that your hair is revealing about your health.
Research shows that changes in your hair’s look, texture, or thickness can be signs of underlying health conditions. Here’s what you should know about your hair changes and how they may relate to health problems, genetics, stress, or nutritional deficiencies.
1. Stress and Genes Can Make You Go Gray
Going gray is a natural part of aging, because your hair follicles produce less color as you get older.
"Oxidative stress [when cell-damaging free radicals inhibit the body’s repair processes] may affect pigment-producing cells," says Paradi Mirmirani, MD , a dermatologist with the Permanente Medical Group in Vallejo, California.
2. Brittle Hair Could Be a Sign of Cushing’s Syndrome
Brittle hair is one symptom of Cushing's syndrome , a rare condition caused by excessive cortisol, the body's primary stress hormone. However, there are many other more apparent symptoms of Cushing's syndrome, including high blood pressure, easy bruising, fatigue, and back pain, according to Mirmirani.
If medication is causing Cushing’s syndrome, treatment may include changing the dose. If a malignant tumor is the cause, surgery, chemotherapy , or radiation therapy may be necessary.
3. Thinning Hair Could Be a Sign of Thyroid Disease
People who have hypothyroidism , a condition that occurs when your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones, you might notice increased hair shedding and a change in hair appearance and texture, Mirmirani says.
- Neck pain
- Dry skin
- Jaundice
- Weight gain
- Slow speech and movement
- Enlarged tongue
- Sore throat
A thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test will diagnose the condition, and treatment involves medications.
4. Hair Loss Could Be a Sign of Anemia
If you're suddenly noticing a lot more hair in your hairbrush or on your shower floor, it could be a sign that you have iron-deficiency anemia and may warrant testing.
Mirmirani says she is more likely to order anemia blood tests for people who are vegetarian or for women who have heavy periods , both of which increase the chance that hair changes are due to low iron.
It's not completely known why low iron can cause hair loss. But iron is critical for many biological and chemical reactions, perhaps including hair growth, says Rebecca Baxt, MD a dermatologist in Paramus, New Jersey. If your doctor determines that you are iron-deficient, eating more Foods that are high in iron include: "Taking an iron supplement might help with hair loss," she says.
5. Hair Loss Could Indicate a Protein Deficiency
- Nonfat Greek yogurt
- Lentils
- Eggs
- Wild salmon
People who have gastrointestinal difficulties or who just had gastric bypass surgery may have problems digesting protein. Consult your healthcare professional before you change your diet if you have these conditions.
6. White or Yellow Flakes Could Be Dandruff
Other causes include:
- A yeast-like fungus called malassezia
- Dry skin
- Sensitivity to hair products
- Psoriasis
- Eczema
How to Avoid Damaging Your Hair
Although hair issues can be symptoms of other health conditions, highly treated hair may mask those problems and make it difficult to see or feel what your hair can tell you about your health.
Mirmirani says that patients more commonly complain about damage from coloring and using heat to style hair.
Excessive heat from daily flat iron use or blowouts can make your hair dry, brittle, and difficult to maintain, according to Tania Moran, a licensed hairstylist at Swank Hair Salon in New York City. Moran recommends using no more than one hot tool per day; infrequent double-heat processes are acceptable, but not daily.
Whenever you're applying heat to your hair, always use products with protective ingredients, she adds.
"Serums and shine drops tend to have qualities that preserve the hair when using direct and indirect heat," Moran says.
Getting your hair professionally colored is unlikely to cause much damage, Moran says, but bleaching your hair and using hair dye at home can have adverse effects. You can mitigate any damage to your hair by using the right products.
"After color treatment, use proper color-preserving and moisturizing shampoo," Moran says.
The Takeaway
- Hair loss, change in hair texture, and loss of hair color can be symptoms of serious health conditions.
- Going gray could be a sign of stress — or simply genes or aging.
- Dandruff is usually not serious and can often be treated with shampoo.
- Avoid overtreating your hair, which can cause dryness and brittleness that resembles symptoms of other health conditions.
Resources We Trust
- Mayo Clinic: Hair Loss
- AARP: What Your Hair Says About Your Health
- American Academy of Dermatology: How to Treat Dandruff
- Cleveland Clinic: Does Iron Deficiency Cause Hair Loss?
- MedlinePlus: Aging Changes in Hair and Nails
- O'Sullivan JDB et al. The biology of human hair greying. Biological Reviews February 2021.
- Oxidative Stress. Cleveland Clinic February 29, 2024.
- Wang S et al. Genetics of hair graying with age. Ageing Research Reviews August 2023.
- Patil N et al. Hypothyroidism. StatPearls February 2024.
- Postpartum Hair Loss. Cleveland Clinic June 13, 2022.
- Guo EL et al. Diet and hair loss: effects of nutrient deficiency and supplement use. Dermatology Practical & Conceptual January 31, 2017.
- How much protein do you need every day? Harvard Health Publishing June 22, 2023.
- Dandruff. Mayo Clinic August 25, 2023.
- Seborrheic Dermatitis: Symptoms & Causes. Mayo Clinic July 19, 2024.
Blair Murphy-Rose, MD
Medical Reviewer
Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and the founder of Skincare Junkie. She is an accomplished cosmetic, medical, and surgical dermatologist, specializing in leading-edge facial rejuvenation techniques, including injectable fillers and botulinum toxin injections, advanced laser procedures, noninvasive body contouring, and removing lumps and bumps with precision. She is an expert in the treatment and detection of medical conditions, including skin cancer, acne, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis. Dr. Rose believes in a comprehensive approach to skin health and incorporating a skincare routine tailored specifically for each individual and utilizing a wide array of tools to target specific skin concerns.
Rose has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology , Dermatological Surgery , and Pediatric Dermatology , and has been featured in numerous publications, including Vogue , Elle , Allure , Cosmopolitan , Self , Women's Health , The Wall Street Journal , and The New York Times .
Madeline R. Vann, MPH, LPC
Author
Madeline Vann, MPH, LPC, is a freelance health and medical writer based in Williamsburg, Virginia. She has been writing for over 15 years and can present complex health topics at any reading level. Her writing has appeared in HealthDay, the Huffington Post, Costco Connection , the New Orleans Times-Picayune , the Huntsville Times , and numerous academic publications.
She received her bachelor's degree from Trinity University, and has a master of public health degree from Tulane University. Her areas of interest include diet, fitness, chronic and infectious diseases, oral health, biotechnology, cancer, positive psychology, caregiving, end-of-life issues, and the intersection between environmental health and individual health.
Outside of writing, Vann is a licensed professional counselor who specializes in treating military and first responders coping with grief, loss, trauma, and addiction/recovery. She is a trauma specialist at the Farley Center, where she provides workshops on trauma, grief, and distress tolerance coping skills. She regularly practices yoga, loves to cook, and can’t decide between a Mediterranean-style diet and an Asian-fusion approach.
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