Have you been recently diagnosed with diabetes? Are you noticing an increase in the number of hairs on your brushes? Perhaps you’ve been living with diabetes for some time, but it’s not worth considering whether the condition is causing your hair loss.
Three types of hair loss exist androgenetic alopecia androgenetica, alopecia areata, and telogen effluvium. Alopecia areata and Telogen effluvium are two types of alopecia.
Male pattern baldness is the hallmark of alopecia androgenetica. Female boxers can experience it as a result of hormonal changes. Alopecia areata is a disorder that occurs when the immune system attacks hair follicles. Telogen effluvium is a term that refers to hair loss caused by stress.
Hair loss can occur for a variety of reasons, including stress, mineral or vitamin shortages, hormonal imbalances, or medication use. Diabetic complications are one of these possible causes.
Research Does Diabetes Cause Hair Loss
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the average person sheds between 50 and 100 hairs every day. This is considered normal. Hair loss is a natural aspect of the hair loss cycle. Once one hair falls out, another is substituted.
When you are stressed or post-pregnancy, you may experience severe hair loss. It is critical to understand that this is not synonymous with hair loss. Hair loss, often called alopecia, is a symptom that something is impeding hair development. Hair loss may occur in patches and will not be recovered until the underlying reason is corrected.
When blood sugar levels are elevated, diabetes can result in hair loss. Additionally, diabetes may be associated with an immune system illness known as alopecia areata, which results in hair loss.
Now the question is does diabetes cause hair loss ? and the answer is “Yes”. Hair loss may be a frustrating experience, even more so when you are unsure of the cause or how to manage it. Discover the connections between diabetes and hair loss and the treatment options available.
We asked our board-certified hair transplant expert, Martin Maag, MD, to explain how Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can affect the amount of hair you have and the treatment options available for diabetes-related hair loss.
Diabetes Frequently Coexists With Other Autoimmune Diseases
Diabetes type one is an autoimmune illness in which the pancreatic cells that make insulin are targeted by the immune system.
However, this type of diabetes can be caused by other immunological disorders, such as alopecia areata, an autoimmune illness characterize by hair loss in coin-shaped patches.
To lower the risk of developing autoimmune reactions, it is possible to limit exposure to pollution and consume a balance diet low in sugar and trans fats. Additionally, you should look for techniques to reduce inflammation within your body.
Alopecia areata is another type of autoimmune condition that iassociates with diabetes. It happens as a result of the immune system attacking hair follicles, resulting in patches of hair loss on the scalp and other parts of the body. The most frequent approach to characterize it is as an immune cell invasion.
The level of hair loss is determin by the number of damag hair follicles. While the disease can initiate an attack on hair follicles, it rarely results in their destruction. As a result, hair will regrow, particularly if you have not experienced substantial hair loss.
Certain individuals are genetically susceptible to hair loss. It is more prevalent in persons with rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, hay fever, asthma, thyroid disease, atopic dermatitis, and vitiligo. Additionally, it refers to as Down syndrome.
Hair loss causes by immunological reactions is typically successfully treats with corticosteroid injections into the affected area of the scalp.
Medications That Reduce Blood Glucose Levels May Raise Your Risk Of Hair Loss
Metformin, one of the most regularly used diabetes medications, may cause hair loss indirectly through vitamin B12 absorption in the digestive tract.
If you are currently taking metformin, speak with your doctor about possible substitutes or diet advice that may allow you to take a lower dose.
High Blood Sugar Levels Have An Effect On Scalp Circulation
Diabetes is characterize by an abnormally high level of glucose in the bloodstream. Uncontrolled diabetes can be detrimental to organs, tissues, and blood vessels.
If your blood vessels get damaged, your body is unable to carry nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles adequately, which can impair hair development.
The most effective way to avoid hair loss caused by high blood sugar levels is to follow a low-glycemic-index diet.
Medication Adverse Reactions
Certain drugs may cause hair loss by interfering with the hair loss cycle. It might be difficult to pinpoint the underlying cause, especially if someone is on many drugs.
For example, certain types of cancer treatment, such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy, might result in hair loss. In general, when hair loss causes by some medications, it will regrow once the medicine discontinues.
Additional drugs that may cause hair loss include the following:
- Arthropod-related medications
- Antidepressants
- Gout treatments
- Certain cholesterol-lowering drugs, such as statins
- Antihypertensive medications (ACE inhibitors)
- Antithrombotic agents (blood thinners)
- Acne treatment medications
- Antifungals
- Antiarrhythmics
- Anticonvulsants
- Medications for psoriasis
- Steroids
How To Regrow Hair If You Have Diabetes
The most critical step in regrowing hair with diabetes is to avoid harmful foods and increase your activity. By following these procedures, you can control your blood sugar levels while taking fewer medications.
This approach may help prevent further hair loss, although hair follicles may require an increase in activity to reactivate.
Dr. Maag has extensive experience with a variety of hair restoration techniques, including topical, pharmaceutical, and low-laser treatments, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, and hair transplantation. Make an appointment with Dr. Maag to explore the best method for restoring your hair.
Considerations
If you have diabetes and are at a higher risk of developing other immune system diseases, such as thyroid difficulties or alopecia areata, you are at risk. Several studies indicate that insulin resistance may be an indication of hair loss. This indicates that patients with prediabetes may develop hair loss.
Prediabetes, also known as reduce glucose tolerance or impairs fasting glucose, is believes to be a precursor to type 2 diabetes. While this is not a usual cause of symptoms, if left untreated, it may result in the development of type 2 diabetes.
Numerous factors may raise your chance of developing prediabetes, including a family history of diabetes or advanced age, weight gain (particularly around the belly), elevated cholesterol and/or blood pressure, and sedentary behavior, among others.
If you are experiencing hair loss and have any of these risk factors, you should contact your physician to evaluate the extent of your glucose tolerance. The American Diabetes Association suggests that everyone should evaluate for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes as early as age 35, regardless of symptoms or risk factors. Controlling your blood sugar levels on a regular basis will help you avoid type 2 diabetes and will aid in reversing hair loss.
