Naturopathy and your Health

Losing Hair? Tired? Two simple blood tests can give you some answers.

Afraid to comb your hair because of the sheer amount of hair that comes out? Hitting the snooze button 3 times in the morning even after getting a full night’s sleep? Getting irritable and hangry frequently? You are not alone! (And, no, you don’t need a biotin supplement!)In fact, these things you’re experiencing could be related to two nutrient deficiencies that are SUPER common.Which nutrient deficiencies can cause fatigue, excessive hair fall, and mood changes?

Short answer: iron and vitamin D.

Long answer: Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies, especially in people with periods, because we lose blood regularly through menstruation. Iron deficiency can show up not only as fatigue, hair loss, and irritability, but also:Brittle, peeling, or weak nails shortness of breath, even when you only exert yourself a little bit cold hands and/or feetLightheadedness, especially when getting up quickly, heavy menstrual bleeding, restless legs, day-time sleepiness, poor focus and concentration, low blood pressure, palpitations, difficulty remembering things.

Vitamin D deficiency is also quite common across the board, especially here in Canada. The thing with vitamin D is that it has its hands in a lot of your body’s systems. Vitamin D deficiency can contribute to symptoms similar to those due to iron deficiency and others, like:Tiredness hair loss, moodiness, bone and muscle aches and pains seasonal affective disorder, tiredness and brain fog, slow wound healing, frequent illnesses and altered immune functionIron and Vitamin D TestingTesting, instead of guessing, is the best approach and can be done with your medical doctor, nurse practitioner, or naturopathic doctor. If you’re wondering if you can get enough iron from your diet, check out Dr. Anne’s blog post on that here.

The truth is: you likely need a supplement for both, iron and vitamin D, if you’re deficient. And, remember, if you’re losing hair, the best way to keep what you’ve got (and grow some more back!) is to get care sooner rather than later instead of buying a generic vitamin supplement. Here, at the Innisfil Wellness Centre, servicing Simcoe County, especially Innisfil and Barrie, we offer testing and comprehensive naturopathic care for fatigue, hair loss, anxiety, depression, PMS, and more. You can book an appointment here. Written by Dr. Anne Hussain, NDDr. Anne Hussain is a naturopathic doctor, Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, author of The Period Literacy Handbook, and host of Phase to Phase: The Hormone Health Show. She supports women through all phases of their hormonal journey, from first periods to post-menopause, with a focus on evidence-based, compassionate care.