6 Things Your Hair Reveals About Your Health

Your hair isn’t just a beauty statement — it can be a barometer of your overall health. From stress and nutritional deficiencies to hormonal changes and skin conditions, your locks often send subtle signals that something may be amiss. While we often focus on the shine, thickness, and style of our hair, research shows that changes in its texture, colour, or density can hint at deeper health concerns. Here’s how to decode what your hair might be telling you.

1. Grey Strands: Stress, Genes, or Time?

Greying is a natural part of aging — hair follicles gradually produce less pigment as the years go by. However, studies suggest that stress can speed up this process. Chronic stress may trigger oxidative stress, where free radicals damage pigment-producing cells, leading to early greying.

Your genetic makeup also plays a key role. If your parents went grey young, you might follow suit. And while greying itself isn’t harmful, sudden or rapid changes could be worth mentioning to your doctor — especially if accompanied by hair loss.

2. Brittle Strands: Possible Sign of Cushing’s Syndrome

Hair that breaks easily could signal Cushing’s syndrome, a rare condition caused by excess cortisol — the body’s main stress hormone. While brittle hair alone isn’t diagnostic, other symptoms such as high blood pressure, unexplained bruising, fatigue, and back pain may point to this disorder.

Treatment depends on the cause — from adjusting medication to surgery or targeted therapies.

3. Thinning Hair: Could It Be Thyroid Trouble?

Hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) affects how your body produces essential hormones, often leading to increased shedding and changes in hair quality.

In the UK, about 3.6% of people over age 12 have hypothyroidism. Along with thinning hair, symptoms can include dry skin, weight gain, slow speech and movement, sore throat, and even neck discomfort

A simple thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test can confirm the condition, and medication can usually restore balance.

4. Sudden Hair Loss: Check Your Iron Levels

If you’re finding far more hair in your brush than usual, iron-deficiency anaemia could be a factor. Iron is vital for many cellular functions, and low levels may disrupt normal hair growth.

Your GP can arrange a blood test, and if iron deficiency is confirmed, increasing iron-rich foods or supplements may help. Hormonal changes — such as after childbirth or stopping birth control — can also cause temporary shedding.

5. Thinning from the Root: Protein Deficiency

Protein is the building block of strong, healthy hair. While most people get enough, certain medical conditions — such as gastrointestinal disorders or post-gastric bypass recovery — can reduce protein absorption, leading to hair thinning.

Good protein sources include Greek yogurt, eggs, lentils, and wild salmon. Adults generally need about 0.36g of protein per pound of body weight daily. Always seek medical guidance before making major dietary changes.

6. Flakes and Itch: Dandruff or Dermatitis

White or yellow flakes on your shoulders or in your hair are often caused by dandruff — a common scalp condition that’s usually harmless but can be persistent.

One frequent culprit is seborrheic dermatitis, which causes greasy patches, itchiness, and flaking. Other causes include fungal overgrowth (malassezia), dry skin, psoriasis, eczema, or sensitivity to hair products. Over-the-counter anti-dandruff shampoos often help, though prescription options are available for stubborn cases.

Protecting Your Hair from Unnecessary Damage

While hair changes can signal health concerns, heavy processing and heat styling can mask or mimic these symptoms. Overuse of straighteners, curling irons, or blow dryers can leave hair dry, brittle, and difficult to manage.

Limit yourself to one heat tool per day, and always use a heat-protectant serum. If you colour your hair, professional treatments tend to be gentler than home bleaching or dyeing — and pairing colour services with nourishing aftercare will help maintain hair strength.

The Bottom Line

• Hair changes can be early indicators of health issues.

• Grey hair can be linked to stress, genetics, or simply aging.

• Thinning or brittle hair may be related to thyroid disease, nutritional deficiencies, or hormonal imbalances.

• Dandruff is rarely serious but can be treated effectively.

• Protecting hair from heat and chemical damage preserves both its look and its ability to signal health changes.

Your hair may be the first to whisper what your body is trying to tell you — so pay attention to what it’s saying

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