Vitamin D Deficiency Hair Loss: Symptoms & How To Prevent It

Vitamin D is an important nutrient that plays a key role in many bodily functions. But its deficiency leads to several problems, from loss of bone density to dry skin. But one of the most concerning effects of vitamin D deficiency could be an autoimmune disease called alopecia areata (1).

This article explores the causes of vitamin D deficiency, the symptoms, and how to treat and prevent it. Continue reading to know more.

Does Vitamin D Deficiency Cause Hair Loss?

The answer is yes. Vitamin D and hair loss are interlinked.

Research indicates that vitamin D plays a crucial role in stem cell renewal and maintaining the hair follicle cycle. Deficiency of vitamin D interferes with both the processes and causes hair loss.

The lack of vitamin D in serum is also linked to female pattern hair loss and alopecia. The vitamin D receptors in the hair follicles’ bulge region are crucial for maintaining the healthy keratinocyte stem cells (2). The lack of these receptors may trigger hair loss.

Your body may lack vitamin D due to multiple reasons. They are listed in the next section.

What Causes Vitamin D Deficiency?

1. Improper Diet

An improper diet is one of the main reasons for the lack of vitamin D in the body. To improve vitamin D levels, consume foods like (3):

• Salmon
• Herring
• Cod liver oil
• Egg yolk
• Mushrooms

2. Poor Absorption Of Vitamin D

Your gut health may affect the proper absorption of vitamin D in your body (4). Poor gut health may be caused by:

• Crohn’s disease
• Chronic pancreatitis
• Other diseases of the gut

This may put you at risk of vitamin D deficiency.

3. Inadequate Exposure To Sunlight

When it comes to the best natural source of vitamin D, the sun is a clear winner (5). The time you need to spend in the sun varies according to the skin color. If you have a lighter skin tone, 5-15 minutes of sun exposure is enough. If you have darker skin, you may stay in the sun for at least 30 minutes. About 10-15 minutes of sun exposure during the mid-day is sufficient.

However, excessive exposure to the sun puts you at the risk developing of skin cancer. Even if you are spending 5 minutes in the sun, apply sunscreen lotion to prevent UV damage.

Did You Know?

Sunscreen reflects ultraviolet A and B radiation to protect the skin but also decreases the production of vitamin D (6).

4. Inability Of The Liver Or Kidney To Convert Vitamin D

When the liver or kidney does not function properly, it cannot convert vitamin D to a usable state. This may also cause low vitamin D levels and hair loss.

5. Medications Influencing Vitamin D Conversion

Certain antiepileptic drugs, anti-estrogens, and bisphosphonates may interfere with vitamin D metabolism (7). They activate the pregnane X receptor, causing vitamin D deficiency. If you are taking any such medications, talk to the doctor for alternatives to improve your body’s vitamin D levels.

Hair loss can happen due to many reasons. How do you identify if it is due to vitamin D deficiency? Here are the signs and symptoms you can check for.

What Are The Symptoms Of Vitamin D Deficiency?

• Lower Immunity Levels: Your immunity depends on your vitamin D levels. If you keep falling sick regularly, you may lack vitamin D. Pneumonia or other respiratory tract infections could also be a sign of vitamin D deficiency (8).
• Fatigue: Do you always feel tired or fatigued? This could be a sign of vitamin D deficiency. A study found that non-specific musculoskeletal pain, headache, and fatigue could signify vitamin D deficiency (9).
• Bone Pain And Osteoporosis: If you experience lower back pain and bone pain, get your vitamin D levels checked. Research states that chronic lower back pain is linked to low vitamin D levels (10).
• Depression: Are you feeling depressed regularly? This could be a sign of vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is crucial for your mental health. A lack of this vitamin may cause depression and other psychiatric disorders (11).
• Slow-Healing Wounds: If your vitamin D levels are lower than normal, your wounds may take longer to heal. Vitamin D produces certain compounds that help in new skin formation (12). This is a crucial part of the wound-healing process.

Going through hair loss can be a distressing experience. This leads us to the question, “Can hair loss due to vitamin D be reversed?” Find out the answer in the next section.

Is Hair Loss Due To Vitamin D Deficiency Reversible?

Hair loss due to vitamin D deficiency may be reversed with the help of supplements or eating foods high in vitamin D. A study showed that taking oral vitamin D3 therapy significantly improved hair growth in young women (13). However, more studies are warranted in this regard. Ensure you consult a medical expert or trichologist to get the appropriate treatment plan for addressing and managing this issue.

Abi Porter, a blogger experiencing persistent fatigue and headaches, discovered a surprising culprit: a severe vitamin D deficiency: “Fatigue all day, everyday… it felt like a truck hit me. (I was sometimes napping twice in one day!) Not to mention, I was getting a headache like clockwork around 3 or 4pm.” After getting blood work done due to relentless tiredness, she found herself profoundly lacking in this vital nutrient—a common issue in Portland. Her fatigue vanished after taking vitamin D supplements. She writes, “I’ve seriously had more energy than I’ve had in a long time and my mind feels crystal clear… This tiny little vitamin is a life saver (i).”

It is now clear that vitamin D plays a crucial role in maintaining multiple body functions. Lack of vitamin D affects not only the body but also hair growth. Find out the ways to prevent it in the next section.

How To Prevent Hair Loss Caused By Vitamin D Deficiency

• Take Vitamin D Supplements

If you have low vitamin D levels, consuming foods rich in vitamin d helps reduce hair loss. You may consume (13):

• Eggs
• Cod liver oil
• Milk (fortified, soy, almond, and oats milk)
• Fatty fish (sockeye salmon, rainbow trout, Atlantic sardines, tuna)
• Meat (chicken breast, beef, beef liver)
• Vegetables (raw broccoli, carrot, portabella, and white mushrooms)
• Almonds and sunflower seeds
• Lentils
• Cheese
• Fruits (Apple, banana)

You may also take vitamin D supplements.

• Modifying Medications 

Some medications and steroids may interfere with vitamin D absorption. If you are taking any such medication, talk to your doctor to modify the dosage, or use any alternative.

• Increase Your Exposure To Sunlight

Try to increase your exposure to sunlight. Go out for a walk on a bright and sunny day or spend at least 10-15 minutes outside. However, do not forget to apply sunscreen.

Did You Know?

To prevent vitamin D deficiency, it’s recommended to get twenty minutes of sunshine daily, with over 40% of skin exposed (14).

• Be Gentle When Grooming The Hair

This is also crucial to prevent hair fall. Be gentle when combing or brushing your hair. Avoid using harsh shampoos and conditioners. You may also ask your doctor for some topical medication to prevent hair loss.

If you are taking vitamin D supplements, follow the doctor’s prescribed dosage. The recommended dietary allowance is given below.

Recommended Dietary Allowance Of Vitamin D

The recommended dietary allowance of vitamin D varies according to the age group (13).

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it require to cure a vitamin D deficiency?

It depends on your age, level of vitamin D in your serum, and medical conditions that you may have. You may start healing after 6-8 weeks. However, complete healing may take time.

When should I take vitamin D – morning or night?

There is no ideal time to take vitamin D, and it may depend on your health condition and other factors. Consult a doctor to know the proper time to take vitamin D supplements.

To unravel the connection between Vitamin D deficiency and hair loss check out this video. Learn how insufficient Vitamin D levels impact hair health, causing issues like hair thinning and loss. Explore remedies to stop hair loss.

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Dr. Shruti ChavanMBBS

Dr. Shruti Chavan is a consulting dermatologist at Dr.Sheth's Skin and Hair Clinic since 6 years. She is a co-committee member of CDSI (Cosmetic dermatologist Society of India). She is highly skilled in non-surgical facial skin rejuvenation and face lift by the use of injection treatments and lasers.   Dr. Chavan is well-versed with dermatological and aesthetic procedures. Her special...more

Ramona SinhaEditor

 

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal. She also did a certificate course in dermatology offered by the Novosibirsk State University...more

Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy. She has taken it upon herself to show...more

Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over two years of experience in writing on health and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach. She writes on skin care and aims to present well-researched...more