Jump to content

  • 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

Hair Growth After Going Gluten Free?

MarsupialMama

Recommended Posts

MarsupialMama Apprentice
MarsupialMama
Posted

Is there any link between hair growth and going gluten free? I've noticed that after 3 months of being gluten-free my 2 year old suddenly has a lot of hair, and she has been bald since birth. Could just be her timing, but I was wondering if anybody else experienced this?

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


ShayFL Enthusiast
ShayFL
Posted

My eyebrows are thicker. :)

Juliebove Rising Star
Juliebove
Posted

My daughter had very fine, almost clear hair until she was 2. Had her first haircut at about age 3. Her hair was still very fine, thin, and straight.

She went gluten-free at 6. Soon new hair was growing in like crazy.

Now at age 10, the new hair is still coming in like mad and it is curly! Which is kind of weird. She does dance and I have to put her hair back into a ponytail or bun, depending on which class she is doing. I can not get it all back and smooth because of all the new little curlies popping up all over.

Green Eyes Rookie
Green Eyes
Posted

I say the new hair growth is due to adequate nutrition not received prior to gluten free diet!!!

Jennifer

Yellow Rose Explorer
Yellow Rose
Posted

I thought it was just me. Nice to know I am not going crazy. My hair completely changed about 6 months after going gluten free. It is very wavy now and was straight before. My hair stylist was the first to notice this and asked what was up with my hair. She had been cutting it the same way for years and suddenly I had places that would not lay down at all. At first it was just in one spot and now the waves are all over.

WW340 Rookie
WW340
Posted

My hair definitely started growing after going gluten free. So did my nails. I also had almost entirely silvery white hair when I was diagnosed, now my hair has grown back in darker than it has ever been in my life. I get accused now of coloring my hair.

My nails are also thicker. I hope my skin will get thicker with time, too. I have see-through skin. I feel like the old anatomy model, the invisible woman.

I think it is definitely due to finally absorbing nutrients.

hawaiimama Apprentice
hawaiimama
Posted

Kids hair often changes as puberty starts arriving. I know a lot of kids who went from straight to curly hair at that age.

My arms were almost completely blad and they now have some hair on them.

And wow on the grey. I hope my skunk patch disappears!

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Jacqui S Newbie
Jacqui S
Posted

I took my 16 year old daughter to the doctor two weeks ago for conjunctivitis. After giving her some eye drops he noticed how thin and tall she was and weighed her and asked about her diet. I explained to him that she has always had a small appetite and that I had taken her to a dietitian to try to get her to eat more, with some success. I asked if there was anything he could give her like a vitamin supplement or something to build her up - he said no, but we could run a blood test for coeliacs disease - because if she has that then she wont be absorbing the nutrients out of food and hence low weight gain. I agreed for the test, thinking maybe that's it, all these years I've been putting eggs in milkshakes, nagging her to eat. Anyway, the thing is that she is well, No diahorrea, bloating, sickness anything. Well he rang me last week and said that the blood tests came back positive and that she most probably has coeliacs disease. My husband and I were shocked! Now she has to have a gastroscopy to have a look at her intestines to see if they have been damaged. We have to continue a normal diet until after the procedure and then if its positive then she'll have to go on a gluten free diet forever!!! I don't know how I'm going to get her to do that? The doctor said that we all should get tested as it is hereditary. My youngest daughter Emma is 8 and has a really fine hair. When you put her hair in a pony tail you can see her head as she has such a fine covering.... I always wondered how this was as my other two daughters and my husband and I all have thick hair.. I 'm thinking now that maybe she also has coeliacs? I couldnt get her into the doctors until October so I'll have to wait... but I'm going to need lots of help and advice on this one? Is it better to make the whole family eat gluten free ?

Juliebove Rising Star
Juliebove
Posted
Kids hair often changes as puberty starts arriving. I know a lot of kids who went from straight to curly hair at that age.

My arms were almost completely blad and they now have some hair on them.

And wow on the grey. I hope my skunk patch disappears!

I didn't know that. Interesting.

ShayFL Enthusiast
ShayFL
Posted
Is it better to make the whole family eat gluten free ?

Yes it is. It is a healthy diet for everyone Celiac or Not and if your daughters are both POS. they got it from either you or your husband (or both). Try not to look at it as a negative. Look at the positives. Being dxd early means both of your girls can avoid, type 1 diabetes, auto-immune diseases, lymphoma, infertility (and miscarrages) and all of the other things associated with undiagnosed Celiac. This is the BIGGEST BLESSING your family could have ever gotten.

Some docs and laymen will say POS blood is enough. If the biopsy comes back negative, you have 2 choices: let her keep eating gluten (and if the blood tests are right and she actually has Celiac) then she risks all of those nasty things listed. OR try the diet anyway. In her case, you will likely see things like her filling out and other things you didnt think were a symptom also go away.

You can also go gluten-free and then challenge after a few months. Most will have a dramatic reaction after re-introduction. So be prepared if you opt to do this.

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted

My hair and nails are all in much better shape since going gluten-free.

My hair was falling out previously--I actually had a couple slight bald spots. My nails now grow quickly--the discoloration on my two big toenails has completely gone away. I used to have to wear toenail polish--now I still do because I like the look, but I do a lot of lighter, more opaque shades. :D

My skin is less itchy and not as easily irritated. A patch of eczema that I had for over 12 years cleared up completely and has not returned in well over 2 years.

lobita Apprentice
lobita
Posted

I have had alopecia areata (spot balding), which is an autoimmune disease, since I was 17. I lost it all almost completely for about two years before I went gluten-free. Then I found out about celiac disease went on a gluten-free diet and after a period of healing, it almost all came back. I still struggle with the alopecia (I'm 30 now) even though I'm still on a gluten-free diet, but its effects are limited.

Jacqui S Newbie
Jacqui S
Posted
Yes it is. It is a healthy diet for everyone Celiac or Not and if your daughters are both POS. they got it from either you or your husband (or both). Try not to look at it as a negative. Look at the positives. Being dxd early means both of your girls can avoid, type 1 diabetes, auto-immune diseases, lymphoma, infertility (and miscarrages) and all of the other things associated with undiagnosed Celiac. This is the BIGGEST BLESSING your family could have ever gotten.

Some docs and laymen will say POS blood is enough. If the biopsy comes back negative, you have 2 choices: let her keep eating gluten (and if the blood tests are right and she actually has Celiac) then she risks all of those nasty things listed. OR try the diet anyway. In her case, you will likely see things like her filling out and other things you didnt think were a symptom also go away.

You can also go gluten-free and then challenge after a few months. Most will have a dramatic reaction after re-introduction. So be prepared if you opt to do this.

Thanks for your reply ShayFL - I will try to be positive!

mftnchn Explorer
mftnchn
Posted

I've also had improvement in my hair, nails and skin. I had a very significant hair loss in 2005, and it did grow back and also grew back curly. I didn't go gluten-free until 2007, but seems like it has continued to improve since then.

Jacqui, glad you are posting. You have a very significant story--I'd encourage you to start a new thread with your story and questions if you haven't already. Here on the "hair" topic thread a lot of people might miss your story and questions.

There's a nice group of teens on this forum who will welcome your daughter and be a great support for her. Don't underestimate your daughter. Once she knows how much better she feels, I'll bet she will take hold. Try to be her supporter and partner in this, rather than her boss.

It does sound like your family could benefit from gluten-free, at least as a trial. For a fair trial, you'll need to be as strict as possible. Also from everything I've read, if I were you, I'd consider your daughter's blood test as conclusive that she needs to be off gluten.

Archived

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

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens. I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium. I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells. When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly. This is safe...
    2. Jane02
      - Jane02 replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency. I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently...
    3. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Hello, @Jane02, I take Naturewise D 3. It contains olive oil. Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets. Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking. Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the...
    4. Scott Adams
      0

      Penobscot Bay, Maine: Nurturing Gluten-Free Wellness Retreat with expert celiac dietitian, Melinda Dennis

      until
      Hello! Join me and treat yourself to a four-day, three-night restorative gluten-free retreat in a peaceful, private coastal retreat setting near Penobscot Bay in Maine. Dates: April 10-13, 2026 Enjoy engaging classes...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product.
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,332
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Nicolah
    Newest Member
    Nicolah
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens.  I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium.  I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells.  When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly.  This is safe and nontoxic.  Vitamin D level should be above 70 nmol/L.  Lifeguards and indigenous Pacific Islanders typically have levels between 80-100 nmol/L.   Levels lower than this are based on amount needed to prevent disease like rickets and osteomalacia. We need more thiamine when we're physically ill, emotionally and mentally stressed, and if we exercise like an athlete or laborer.  We need more thiamine if we eat a diet high in simple carbohydrates.  For every 500 kcal of carbohydrates, we need 500-1000 mg more of thiamine to process the carbs into energy.  If there's insufficient thiamine the carbs get stored as fat.  Again, recommended levels set for thiamine are based on minimum amounts needed to prevent disease.  This is often not adequate for optimum health, nor sufficient for people with absorption problems such as Celiac disease.  Gluten free processed foods are not enriched with vitamins like their gluten containing counterparts.  Adding a B Complex and additional thiamine improves health for Celiacs.  Thiamine is safe and nontoxic even in high doses.  Thiamine helps the mitochondria in cells to function.  Thiamine interacts with each of the other B vitamins.  They are all water soluble and easily excreted if not needed. Interesting Reading: Clinical trial: B vitamins improve health in patients with coeliac disease living on a gluten-free diet https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19154566/ Safety and effectiveness of vitamin D mega-dose: A systematic review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34857184/ High dose dietary vitamin D allocates surplus calories to muscle and growth instead of fat via modulation of myostatin and leptin signaling https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38766160/ Safety of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31746327/ Vitamins and Celiac Disease: Beyond Vitamin D https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11857425/ Investigating the therapeutic potential of tryptophan and vitamin A in modulating immune responses in celiac disease: an experimental study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40178602/ Investigating the Impact of Vitamin A and Amino Acids on Immune Responses in Celiac Disease Patients https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10814138/
    • Jane02
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Jane02 · Posted

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency.  I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently meet from my diet is vitamin D. Calcium is a hit and miss as I rely on vegetables, dark leafy greens as a major source, for my calcium intake. I'm able to meet it when I either eat or juice a bundle of kale or collard greens daily haha. My thiamine intake is roughly 120% of my needs, although I do recognize that I may not be absorbing all of these nutrients consistently with intermittent unintentional exposures to gluten.  My vitamin A intake is roughly 900% (~6400 mcg/d) of my needs as I eat a lot of sweet potato, although since it's plant-derived vitamin A (beta-carotene) apparently it's not likely to cause toxicity.  Thanks again! 
    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Hello, @Jane02,  I take Naturewise D 3.  It contains olive oil.   Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets.  Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking.  Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the jar, and thus may be irritating to the digestive system. I avoid supplements made with soy because many people with Celiac Disease also react to soy.  Mixed tocopherols, an ingredient in Thornes Vitamin D, may be sourced from soy oil.  Kirkland's has soy on its ingredient list. I avoid things that might contain or be exposed to crustaceans, like Metagenics says on its label.  I have a crustacean/shellfish/fish allergy.  I like Life Extension Bioactive Complete B Complex.  I take additional Thiamine B 1 in the form Benfotiamine which helps the intestines heal, Life Extension MegaBenfotiamine. Thiamine is needed to activate Vitamin D.   Low thiamine can make one feel like they are getting glutened after a meal containing lots of simple carbohydrates like white rice, or processed gluten free foods like cookies and pasta.   It's rare to have a single vitamin deficiency.  The water soluble B Complex vitamins should be supplemented together with additional Thiamine in the form Benfotiamine and Thiamine TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) to correct subclinical deficiencies that don't show up on blood tests.  These are subclinical deficiencies within organs and tissues.  Blood is a transportation system.  The body will deplete tissues and organs in order to keep a supply of thiamine in the bloodstream going to the brain and heart.   If you're low in Vitamin D, you may well be low in other fat soluble vitamins like Vitamin A and Vitamin K. Have you seen a dietician?
    • Scott Adams
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product. 
    • trents
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By trents · Posted

      Contact them.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.