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Hi All - More people than I thought responded to the hari loss subject.
Looks like a lot believe it is due to vitamin deficiency although there
are few how have had luck with preventing the hair loss. Thanks to all!


Have you had your iron checked?  My hair was falling out in significant
chunks and the doctor determined that my iron was very low.  Once I
started on iron supplements, my hair stopped falling out.

This hair loss has been going on for about two years now and I have been
on a GF diet for seven years. Some months it's worst than others. I don't
colour my hair, avoid over combing my hair and wash every other day with
Pantene Pro-V (which does not seem to stop the hair loss)

I was having hair loss until I started taking folic acid supplements.
Maybe you have a vitamin deficiency of some type

I too have been noticing significant hairloss for the last several months.
I went to my doctor and they did blood work for thyroid and  a few other
tests, all negative. I have been anemic for a very long time also, so he
just said it maybe from longterm anemia.

I experienced the same thing months after being on the diet.  Apparently,
one cause of hair loss is not getting enough zinc in your diet.  this
doesn't only apply to celiac people, I've told a couple of people who were
experiencing the same thing and as soon as they started taking zinc
supplements the hair loss stopped. I guess because of the major shift in
our diets, we just aren't getting the right nutrients anymore.

I have been gluten free for just about one year, and also started losing
my hair several months ago!! I am not sure why I am losing my hair now,
but I have a couple of ideas:
-I tested negative for a thyroid condition, but the doctor wanted me to
see an
endocrine specialist, since it could be related to a different
endocrine/hormone imbalance.
-I am considering seeing a dermatologist, because sometimes hair loss can
result from an unhealthy scalp, or candida/yeast infestation in the
scalp.  I
have a long history of problems with yeast, and I think many celiacs do.
-Some people on the listserve suggested that a deficiency in B12 and other
B- Vitamins and folic acid are a problem for celiacs, and my acupuncturist
confirmed that B12 deficiency may lead to hair loss.  I started taking B12
dots about 1.5 months ago, a multi with the range of Bs, and folic acid
daily.
While I feel much better in general, and don't have nearly as much
fatigue, muscle heaviness and poor concentration, I cannot tell yet
whether it is having an effect on my hair!

I have a 6 year old Celiac and months after being diagnosed (at age 2) and
going GF, she lost almost all her hair.  The doctor told me this was a
result of her malnutrition prior to being diagnosed with CD.  They told me
hair loss was a result of malnutrition and that it occurs months after the
malnutrition occurs.  Everything grew back, but it took awhile

Months after being diagnosed celiac, it was then discovered I had mono and
hyperthyroid.  My endocrinologist kept asking about and checking for hair
loss, which I never had, but he was concerned with.

I have had hair loss as well, and have tried vitamins, hot deep
conditioning treatments once a week and I no longer blow dry my hair.  I
went to a dermatologist (the same one who diagnosed my DH) and he said he
didn't feel it was CD related and encouraged me to take more iron, as well
as zinc (apparently zinc helps with the absorption of OTHER vitamins).  I
have been doing everything he recommended (as well as what I previously
mentioned), and it seems to be a little better.

Yes, I have experienced this. But, mine tends to come in cycles so I think
it is more season related - not sure if that is a valid arguement but that
is how I notice it.

Michelle, I don't know what's up with the celiac spec. but hair loss and
brittle/ridged nails is very often directly attributable to vit. B
deficiency.  You should be taking B supplements when GF because few of us
eat enough of the other sources of it.  Bread is the usual source.

Many celiacs have thyroid problems, and hair loss is a symptom of that.  I
am a diagnosed celiac and suffer from hyperthyroidism.  My hair is
EXTREMELY thin.

I always stress that not every symptom is CD related.  Hair loss can occur
for any number of reasons (e.g., hormone imbalance, hypothyroidism,
vitamin B deficiencies, other autoimmune illnesses, as well as some skin
infections).  I would recommend that you either see a dermatologist or an
internist who can screen for other problems.

I did experience hair loss. I think it is related to pre-menopause (I am
44). I wish I could find a solution to it.  At the moment,  I am taking
progesterone cream and DHEA.  I don't see any improvement for the hair
loss but, it helps with the pre-menopause (fatigue, feeling swollen,
libido, etc)

Funny you should mention that! Just this morning, I was noticing that I've
been losing more hair since going GF about 5 months ago! Not sure
the reason so I cannot offer anything that will help, though my
dermatologist did recommend using Rogaine for Men (in the black box)

poor nutrition shows up quickly in hair and skin....loss of protein shows
up in hair and nails. If you don't see a difference in a reasonable amt of
time, go to an endocrinilogist..a low thyroid can result in hair loss.

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