Recent Change In Body Hair Quantity

What Causes Body Hair Loss Or Gain?

Body hair loss or gain can have various causes, ranging in severity from 'very minor' to 'very serious'.  Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.

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Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms.  In order to diagnose body hair loss or gain, we could:

  • Research the topic
  • Find a doctor with the time
  • Use a diagnostic computer system.
The process is the same, whichever method is used.

Step 1: List all Possible Causes

We begin by identifying the disease conditions which have "body hair loss or gain" as a symptom.  Here are eight of many possibilities (more below):
  • Iron Need
  • Hirsutism
  • Drug Side-Effects
  • Calcium Need
  • Epstein-Barr Virus
  • Candida / Yeast
  • Cerebral Gland Dysfunction
  • Vitamin A Toxicity

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

We then identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:
moderate soft drink consumption
waking up with dry eyes
chronic vaginal yeast infection
infrequent earaches
mild hirsutism
past H2-blocker antacid use
genital sores
heart racing/palpitations
suspected vaginal yeast infection
chapped lips
past calcium-based antacid use
refined sugar consumption
... and more than 100 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of body hair loss or gain:
Cause Probability Status
Epstein-Barr Virus 96% Confirm
Iron Need 24% Unlikely
Hirsutism 15% Unlikely
Candida / Yeast 5% Ruled out
Calcium Need 0% Ruled out
Vitamin A Toxicity 0% Ruled out
Drug Side-Effects 0% Ruled out
Cerebral Gland Dysfunction 0% Ruled out
* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

In the Hair-Related Symptoms section of the questionnaire, The Analyst™ will ask the following question about recent change in body hair quantity:
Have you had a recent change in body hair quantity?
Possible responses:
→ Much recent loss
→ Some recent loss
→ No / don't know
→ Some recent gain
→ Much recent gain
Based on your response to this question, which may indicate either recent body hair loss or recent body hair gain, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:
Calcium Requirement

Mineral metabolism of 19 patients with hair loss was examined.  Eighteen of those patients showed considerable problems with calcium absorption.  Specific nutritional and mineral therapy resulted in improved hair growth after 2-3 months of treatment. [Blaurock-Busch, E. Wichtige Nahrstoffe fur Gesunde Haut und Haare, Kosmetik Internat. 3/87]

EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) Requirement

Essential fatty acid deficiency can results in dry, brittle hair and hair thinning or loss.

Effects of a Low Carbohydrate Diet

Hair loss is a common side-effect of low-carb diets.  A study funded by Dr. Atkins himself found that about 10% suffered from hair loss.  The precise cause is unknown at the time of writing: it may be due to basic malnutrition, or, as one of our doctors notes, "I've seen this over and over again in my practice.  Basically, this diet can cause your cortisol levels to go sky high, which will lead to hair loss.  Ideally, you should change your diet to help solve this problem."

Hypothalamus / Pituitary / Pineal Dysfunction

Any condition that upsets the ovary, adrenal or pituitary gland may result in hair loss.

Hypothyroidism

In rare cases, diffuse hair loss may be the only symptom of hypothyroidism, but in many people with hypothyroidism the hair is not affected.  Once thyroid hormone is administered, regrowth of hair occurs in approximately 2 months.

Iron Requirement

Iron deficiency anemia can in some cases contribute to hair loss.

Manganese Requirement

Mineral metabolism of 19 patients with hair loss was examined.  The analysis showed manganese deficiency in all 19.  Specific nutritional and mineral therapy resulted in improved hair growth after 2-3 months of treatment. [Blaurock-Busch, E. Wichtige Nahrstoffe fur Gesunde Haut und Haare, Kosmetik Internat. 3/87]

Mercury Toxicity (Amalgam Illness)

Mercury toxicity can cause hair loss.

Vitamin A Toxicity

Vitamin A toxicity symptoms include skin that has a rough and dry appearance, hair loss and brittle nails.

Vitamin B6 Requirement

Especially if associated with birth control pill use.

Yeast / Candida Infection

Candida can cause hair shedding in male or female patients.  The exact mechanism is unclear because there are so many possible pathways.  The three most likely pathways are thyroid dysfunction, allergies and enzyme suppression.

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