There's a particular kind of panic that comes with pulling a clump of hair out of the shower drain. I know it well. A while ago my own hair started coming out in handfuls: on my pillow, in my brush, wound around my fingers when I ran them through it.
I tried every oil, serum and supplement I could find. Nothing changed until I stopped treating my hair and started asking why it was falling out in the first place.
How much hair loss is normal?
Shedding some hair every day is completely normal. Hair grows in cycles, and old hairs fall out to make room for new ones. Most people lose dozens of hairs a day without noticing.
It's worth looking into if you notice:
Noticeably more hair in the shower, brush or on your pillow
A wider part, or more scalp showing through
A thinner ponytail
Patches or a receding hairline
Hair is the messenger, not the problem
Your body treats hair as non-essential. When something is off, whether that's low nutrients, a hormone shift or a big stress, hair is one of the first things it stops investing in.
That's why hair loss is so often a sign of something else, and why topical treatments alone can feel like they're not working.
Common causes of hair loss in women
Low iron. One of the most common causes I see, and frequently missed when results sit "in range."
Thyroid changes, both underactive and overactive.
Low vitamin D, zinc or B12.
Hormonal shifts, such as after pregnancy, coming off the pill, around perimenopause, or with higher androgens.
Stress, illness or surgery. A big physical or emotional event can push lots of hairs into the shedding phase at once.
Restrictive eating or rapid weight loss.
Why your hair loss started months ago
This is the part most people don't know. A common type of shedding, called telogen effluvium, often shows up around two to three months after whatever triggered it.
So you look at what's happening now, find nothing obvious, and assume it's random. It rarely is. It's just on a delay, which means the cause might be something you've already moved past: an illness, a stressful season, a change in medication.
Blood tests worth asking about for hair loss
Iron studies (ferritin, transferrin, transferrin saturation)
Thyroid function, including free T4, free T3 and thyroid antibodies
Vitamin D, zinc, B12 and folate
Hormones such as testosterone, if your cycle is irregular or you're noticing other signs
The full list, matched to symptoms, is in my Blood Test Checklist.
Who to see about hair loss
Hair loss is worth looking at from two angles at once. A naturopath can help find what's happening inside your body, through your history, symptoms and blood results. A trichologist specialises in the hair and scalp itself. Together, they cover the full picture.
Get the free hair loss guide
My free guide walks through how to identify the type of hair loss you're dealing with, the root causes to look into, and which blood tests might help you get answers.
Download the free hair loss guide →
Need more support? You can also book a consult in person in Adelaide or online Australia wide via Zoom. Related reading: Ferritin normal but still tired?
This article is general information only and isn't a substitute for advice from your own health practitioner.