You’re not imagining it.

Your ponytail feels thinner. Your part line is wider than it used to be. Maybe your brush is filling up faster, or you’re noticing more hair in the shower than usual.

And yet… your labs came back “normal.” Your doctor shrugged and said it’s probably stress or aging.
Maybe you were told to just take a multivitamin or use a thickening shampoo. 🤷🏽‍♀️

But deep down, you know something’s off. Because when your body is out of balance, your hair is often one of the first places it shows.

Let’s talk about the real root causes of hair loss in women that get overlooked all. the. time.

1. Iron Deficiency: Even If You’re Not “Anemic”

Here’s the thing: you can have “normal” labs and still not have enough iron for lush, healthy hair.

Iron isn’t just about preventing anemia—it’s essential for carrying oxygen to your hair follicles. And guess what? Those follicles are high-maintenance little reinas. They need a steady flow of nutrients or they’ll peace out, one strand at a time.

Watch for:

• Hair falling out evenly all over (not in patches)

• Extra shedding in the shower or when brushing

• Thinner texture or slower growth

Here’s the catch: most doctors only check for anemia. Pero ferritin—that’s your iron storage—is what really matters for your pelo. And for healthy hair growth, you want that ferritin above 70 ng/mL.

So, what’s stealing your iron?

• Heavy periods

• Not enough iron-rich foods

• Gut issues

• Endurance workouts (yes, even your “hot girl walk” can burn through iron 😭)

Solution? Get your labs done right. Then we can talk food, absorption, and whether you need a supplement that won’t make you constipada for a week straight.

2. Thyroid Dysfunction: The Silent Pelo Sabotage

Your thyroid is like your body's thermostat, it controls your metabolism, energy, digestion, mood, and your hair growth. When it's off, your scalp notices fast.

Both hypothyroidism (slow thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (fast thyroid) can cause your hair to fall out faster than chisme at a family party.

Symptoms to watch for:

• Hair thinning all over (again, not patchy)

• Dry, brittle hair (think: crunchy ends 😬)

• Thinning of the outer third of your eyebrows

• Fatigue, weight gain, mood swings, constipation, etc.

But here’s the problem: standard thyroid tests are basic. Most docs just check TSH.

Pero tú no eres básica, so your labs shouldn’t be either.
You need the full picture: TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies.

3. Androgen Excess: When Your Hormones Are a Little... Extra

Women have testosterone too. And when there's too much of it, or when your hair follicles are extra sensitive to it, it can cause a type of hair loss called androgenic alopecia.

What it looks like:

• Widening part line

• Thinning at the crown

• Short, wispy regrowth that never gets past baby hair status

This one is common in mujeres with PCOS—but also in anyone dealing with:

• Irregular periods

• Acne and oily skin

• Facial hair (chin, upper lip, etc.)

• Blood sugar issues or insulin resistance

DHT is the big culprit here—a super potent form of testosterone that shrinks hair follicles over time. Like, rude. 

But don't freak out—we can work with this. The solution involves balancing blood sugar, managing inflammation, and supporting hormonal detox. Not just throwing a pill at it.

Why Are These Causes So Overlooked?

I wish I could say it’s just one thing. But the truth is, the system isn’t built to catch these early signs.

• Symptoms are subtle – Fatigue, mood shifts, hair shedding? We call that Tuesday.

• Testing is limited – “Normal” labs don’t mean optimal. Huge difference.

• Medical silos – Your derm looks at your scalp, your PCP at your energy, your OB at your cycle—and no one connects the dots.

• Time constraints – You get 10 minutes to talk about years of symptoms.

So What Does a Functional Medicine Approach Look Like?

Glad you asked. 😏

We zoom out. We look at your whole body, your full story, and the cultural context you live in. (Because yes, your mamá’s cooking, your abuela’s genetics, and your job stress all matter.)

Here’s how we get to the root:

• We ask all the questions – Not just about your hair, but your digestion, sleep, stress, menstrual cycles, mood, and more.

• We run real labs – Ferritin, thyroid panel, hormones. No shortcuts.

• We get curious – If your ferritin is low, WHY? Gut? Periods? Malabsorption?

• We personalize support – Food, supplements, stress support, lifestyle tweaks—culturally-aware and totally doable.

• We support you emotionally too – Because hair loss hurts. And you’re allowed to grieve and still heal.

La Verdad: Hair Loss Is a Clue, Not a Curse

You are not crazy. You’re not “just stressed.” You’re not overreacting.

Your body is speaking to you.

✨ Hair loss is not the problem—it’s the invitation to look deeper.
✨ You get to advocate for better care.
✨ You get to nourish your whole self, not just your scalp.
✨ And yes, you can restore your hair, your health, and your confidence.

Ready to Stop Guessing and Start Healing?

If your labs are “fine” but your intuition says otherwise, I see you. Let’s get curious. Let’s look at the whole picture.  

🔹Book a clarity session with me and let’s dig into your labs, your symptoms, and your goals.

You get to feel strong, soft, and confident again. Inside and out.

Con amor,

Pharmacist. Functional Practitioner. Your favorite health detective. ✨

References 

Carmina, E., Azziz, R., Bergfeld, W., Futterweit, W., Huddleston, H., Lobo, R., ... & Yildiz, B. O. (2019). Female pattern hair loss and androgen excess: A report from the multidisciplinary androgen excess and PCOS committee. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 104(7), 2875–2883. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2019-00221

Ho, C. H., Sood, T., & Zito, P. M. (2024). Androgenetic Alopecia. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430924/

Kantor, J., Kessler, L. J., Brooks, D. G., & Cotsarelis, G. (2003). Decreased serum ferritin is associated with alopecia in women. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 121(5), 985–988. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-1747.2003.12540.x

Sinclair, R. D. (2015). Diffuse hair loss. International Journal of Dermatology, 54(10), 1112–1124.

Bertoli MJ, Sadoughifar R, Schwartz RA, Lotti TM, Janniger CK. Female pattern hair loss: A comprehensive review. Dermatol Ther. 2020 Nov;33(6):e14055. doi: 10.1111/dth.14055. Epub 2020 Aug 31. PMID: 32700775.

Rushton DH. Nutritional factors and hair loss. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2002 Jul;27(5):396-404. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2230.2002.01076.x. PMID: 12190640.