Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Celiac Hair Loss

jamie111

By jamie111
in Related Issues & Disorders

Recommended Posts

jamie111 Newbie
jamie111
Posted

I was diagnosed with Celiac in Sept 2016. I have been gluten-free for 7 months. 

Pre-diagnosis: hair thinning, dry skin, head aches, awful bloating, etc. Symptoms have steadily improve with bloating here and there. Now, the past month, my hair has taken a dramatic turn for the worse with loss and thinning of hair again - but worse!! Why is this? I need help!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


PinkyGurl Explorer
PinkyGurl
Posted
43 minutes ago, jamie111 said:

I was diagnosed with Celiac in Sept 2016. I have been gluten-free for 7 months. 

Pre-diagnosis: hair thinning, dry skin, head aches, awful bloating, etc. Symptoms have steadily improve with bloating here and there. Now, the past month, my hair has taken a dramatic turn for the worse with loss and thinning of hair again - but worse!! Why is this? I need help!

Hi jamie111. I had the SAME thing!  Turned out I also had hashimotos which is often seen with celiac.  I would have your thyroid antibodies and thyroid levels checked.  My antibodies were up but my thyroid labs were "within normal". I saw my endocrine and told her of all my thyroid symptoms and she was amazing and started me on meds (very low dose) and wow what a difference!

icelandgirl Proficient
icelandgirl
Posted

Hi Jamie!

I completely agree with Pinky.  Have your thyroid fully investigated.  A lot of Dr's will only test TSH and it just doesn't tell the whole story.  You also need Free T3, Free T4, TPOAb andTgAb.  The last 2 are antibody tests.  Your TSH should be close to 1 and both Free's should be within 50-75% of the range to be optimal.  When your thyroid isn't operating optimally you can have a variety of issues, including hair loss.

Another thing to have checked is your ferritin, stored iron.  If that's low it can cause hair loss as well.

Good luck...I hope you get this figured out!

janpell Apprentice
janpell
Posted

I noticed a huge improvement once I started my iron supplements. It still grows very, very slow though but no hair loss anymore.

cristiana Veteran
cristiana
Posted
17 hours ago, janpell said:

I noticed a huge improvement once I started my iron supplements. It still grows very, very slow though but no hair loss anymore.

I think there has been a direct correlation with my anemia and hair thinning.  Unfortunately I have to limit my iron intake as I have a suspected blood disorder but I'm a rare case - under normal circumstances I'd be supplementing much more as I feel it makes quite a difference.   If I were you I'd get your iron tested and then supplement if on the low side - but make sure your levels are monitored as too much iron is a bad thing.

Some other tips I've picked up from my nutritionalist: eat sufficient protein (eggs, chicken, oily fish), fresh fruit and veg.  And from surfing the net:  make sure you are getting enough exercise; also, some people don't use hair products that contain gluten - this seems a bit controversial, but I've changed mine and I think it has helped.    

Also - are you sure your food isn't being cross contaminated as I have heard some people shed hair if they are glutened?

On that tack - something I'd love to know from other celiacs who have problems with oats (most celiacs don't) is if they feel that oats have ever caused hair loss, in the way that gluten has caused it?

Anyway, do let us know if you find any answers!

 

  • 6 months later...
Feesa Apprentice
Feesa
Posted

OMG I think you have been talking to me, I have found in the last 2 months my hair is falling out like crazy!! I am afraid of the brush now because all it does is make me cry, After reading everyone else's comments I am going to make a Dr apt and get the TSH  tests done, Sorry to hear you are going threw this. But I will say it helps people understand that they are not alone.. Thank you so much for sharing your story.   :)

vonpop626 Newbie
vonpop626
Posted

has anyone heard about this ...Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN) and that it can help with celiac?

 

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


GFinDC Veteran
GFinDC
Posted
2 hours ago, vonpop626 said:

has anyone heard about this ...Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN) and that it can help with celiac?

 

I've read that some people with Crohn's Disease use it and think it can help them.  But I've never read about it being used for celiac disease.

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted
5 hours ago, vonpop626 said:

has anyone heard about this ...Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN) and that it can help with celiac?

 

Not for celiac disease.  There are some alternative sites promoting it for autoimmune issues, but no studies have been made to my limited knowledge (I am not a doctor).  Besides the side effects are GI issues!  Not great if you already have a damaged gut. 

I assume you are concerned about hair loss?  How long have you been gluten free?  Have other I issues ruled out?  

vonpop626 Newbie
vonpop626
Posted

one year!

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted
5 hours ago, vonpop626 said:

one year!

Okay, a year of being gluten free.  When was your last celiac antibodies test taken?  It should be done annually or more often if you are having issues.  It can help determine if you are actually diet compliant.

Open Original Shared Link

Ruling out celiac disease as the culprit would be helpful as your hair loss might be related to another autoimmune issue or illness.  

Autoimmune thyroid is commonly linked to celiac disease and if you are hypothyroid that can contribute to hair loss too.  

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      130,156
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Jodie W
    Newest Member
    Jodie W
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.3k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      Probably celiac but also confused

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      HypOthyrOidism is HashimOtO's thyrOiditis.  HypeRthyRoidism is GRaves disease.
    • mermaidluver22
      Some inflammation in ileum with celiac?

      By mermaidluver22 · Posted

      @Scott Adams Thank you so much for this thoughtful and encouraging reply 💛 It really helps me feel less alone navigating all of this! I’ve definitely been strict gluten-free, but I’ll admit — in the beginning, I honestly knew nothing about cross-contamination 😅 so it’s very possible my gut is still healing from that. I feel very abnormal because I am not a typical celiac or a typical Crohn's, so it makes me feel very stuck. 
    • nanny marley
      Help needed

      By nanny marley · Posted

      Hi still the same unfortunately, they had to cancel my colonoscopy due to my trapped nerve , I'm awaiting some kind of scan , it was the nurses who  told me to refuse and asked a docter , and I was told to cancel and go back to my consultant , I think because my sciatic nerve is compressed between my herniated discs , the prep was enough I could handle , but the colonoscopy itself , they advised me to seek something different ,due to the position I had to be in and the movements , so I will update Wen I know more , thankyou for asking appreciated 🤗
    • Scott Adams
      Some inflammation in ileum with celiac?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It sounds like you're navigating a complex situation with your celiac disease, and it’s understandable to feel confused by the GI world! While celiac disease typically affects the duodenum and proximal small intestine, it’s possible for inflammation to extend to the ileum, especially in cases of more severe or longstanding damage. Since your tTG-IgA remains elevated despite a strict gluten-free diet, this could indicate ongoing healing or subtle gluten exposure. The ileal inflammation might still be related to celiac, though it’s good your doctor is ruling out other conditions like Crohn’s, given the nonspecific biopsy findings. Some people with celiac do report ileal involvement, particularly if they have refractory disease or delayed healing. Keeping close follow-up with your GI and possibly revisiting your diet for hidden gluten sources could help. Hang in there—it’s a journey, and you’re doing great by staying proactive!
    • mermaidluver22
      Help needed

      By mermaidluver22 · Posted

      hi, how are u now? any answers?
×
×
  • Create New...