Primary Causes & Action Plans
Iron and Ferritin
Most common cause of female hair loss Iron deficiency is the most common cause of female hair loss. Repletion regrows hair within 3-6 months.
Target Ferritin 50-150 ng/mL
Suggested Action Plan
Supplement iron glycinate 25-50 mg daily. Most women regrow hair within 3-4 months.
Thyroid Panel (TSH, Free T4)
Thyroid dysfunction drives hair loss Hypothyroidism causes diffuse hair loss. Thyroid replacement restores hair.
Target TSH 1.0-2.5; Free T4 optimal
Suggested Action Plan
If thyroid is low, thyroid hormone replacement regrows hair. Retest 6-8 weeks after treatment.
Testosterone/Free Testosterone
Elevated androgens can drive female pattern baldness Elevated testosterone (from PCOS or other cause) can cause androgenetic alopecia. Lowering testosterone stops hair loss.
Target Normal female range
Suggested Action Plan
If elevated, address cause (PCOS, adrenal dysfunction). Spironolactone may help. Hair regrows once androgens normalize.
ANA/Thyroid Antibodies
Autoimmune alopecia areata causes patch hair loss Positive ANA or thyroid antibodies indicate autoimmune alopecia. Immune tolerance intervention may halt loss.
Target Negative
Suggested Action Plan
If positive, vitamin D optimization, stress management, and probiotics support immune tolerance.