Can Hair Loss from Adrenal Fatigue be Reversed? An Honest Answer from an Expert

Adrenal fatigue can and often does cause a range of symptoms and problems. Some of them can be frightening and distressing and others can impact your future health. And then there are the symptoms that are just annoying and slightly embarrassing, such as hair loss. Hair loss can occur due to problems within the body’s circuits and the NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) stress response. This can make it difficult for you to reverse this troublesome issue. But this doesn’t mean it’s impossible. So, to help everyone out there who’s suffering with the embarrassment of hair loss, let’s answer the question, ‘can hair loss from adrenal fatigue be reversed?’.

What is Adrenal Fatigue?

It’s quite common to experience hair loss when you have adrenal fatigue. This is because adrenal fatigue negatively impacts all of the circuits in the NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) stress response.

The stress response helps you to cope with stress. During stressful times, it activates and causes the adrenal glands to produce more cortisol. Cortisol is often called the stress hormone and it changes the way the body’s circuits function in order to help you survive stress and to minimize any damage.

But when the NEM stress response is active over a long period, such as when you experience chronic stress, it becomes unbalanced. The NEM stress response is supposed to be a short-term response to stress, and long-term activation can cause the adrenals to become fatigued because of the high cortisol production. The body’s circuits can also become dysfunctional because they’re forced to remain in the ‘stressed state’ for too long.

This can develop into a condition called Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome (AFS), which can be very dangerous and even fatal if not corrected.

This can cause a whole range of symptoms and problems, including:

• Weight gain
• Ongoing fatigue
• Sleeping problems
• Unstable blood sugar levels
• Blood pressure instabilities
• Hormonal issues such as PMS and infertility
• Mood instabilities or issues
• Heart palpitations
• Muscle or joint pain
• Hair loss

The hair loss associated with AFS is often connected to high cortisol levels, problems with hormone levels, and imbalances in the Hormone Circuit.

Hair Loss with Adrenal Fatigue

You may not at first connect your adrenal fatigue with your hair loss. Both of these issues can occur slowly, over time, so it can be difficult to connect them. But the truth is that hair loss is closely connected with adrenal fatigue, so it’s worth looking into whether addressing your adrenal health will positively impact your hairline.

There are several ways that adrenal fatigue may impact hair growth and one of them has to do with cortisol. Cortisol helps to regulate the growth cycle of hair follicles. Here’s how adrenal fatigue can affect this relationship:

• Stress prompts the release of increasing amounts of cortisol
• The adrenal glands become fatigued and start to struggle to produce the needed amounts of stress hormones
• Cortisol levels can become lower than your body needs
• This disruption halts your hair’s growth cycle in a resting phase, so your hair falls out and isn’t replaced by new hair
• This is a stress related hair loss condition known as telogen effluvium

So, how do you know if your hair loss is because of telogen effluvium or if there’s another cause? Well, here are some signs of this stress related hair loss condition:

• Sudden onset of hair loss after a stressful period
• Hair loss is all over rather in a distinctive pattern such as you’d see with female or male pattern hair loss
• Your hair’s regrowth is slower than usual, so you struggle to regain your hair’s natural density
• Complete baldness is unlikely with this condition, rather you’ll usually find that you have less hair all over

Hair loss can also occur with adrenal fatigue because of disfunctions in the Hormone Circuit and the resulting hormonal imbalances.

The Hormone Circuit and Can Hair Loss from Adrenal Fatigue be Reversed

Hair loss can also occur in adrenal fatigue due to imbalances in the Hormone Circuit. Hair loss is often caused by hormones, and these hormones are mostly secreted and controlled by this circuit. The Hormone Circuit is one of the 6 circuits in the NEM stress response and includes the adrenal glands, the thyroid, and the sex organs. These are the ovaries in women and the testes in men.

The three components of this circuit are interconnected, so as the adrenal glands decline in health and functioning because of AFS, the thyroid and the sex organs do as well. This means not only will you experience health issues that are directly related to the functions of these organs, but you will also experience increasing stress and poor health as the circuit itself declines in health.

Hair loss in adrenal fatigue can occur because of:

Hormonal Imbalances

Hair loss in adrenal fatigue often occurs due to issues with hormone production and hormone imbalances. These occur as the Hormone Circuit becomes dysfunctional. The 2 main hormones that are directly related to hair growth in both men and women are testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Hair loss is a very common symptom when the levels of these hormones are disrupted due to adrenal fatigue and Hormone Circuit dysfunction.

Decreased Thyroid Function and Thyroid Hormone

As the Hormone Circuit and the adrenal glands decline in health, the thyroid will become dysfunctional as well. This can result in an underactive thyroid or even a condition known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, where your immune system actively attacks thyroid tissue.

The thyroid produces the hormones T3 and T4, which are involved in the development of hair at the root. When these hormones are low or unbalanced, it can cause your hair to fall out and prevent new growth, which will cause hair thinning. This thinning can occur on you head as well as in other places, such as your eyebrows.

Other Causes of Hair Loss

When you have hair loss, it’s important that you consider all causes. The best way to combat this issue is to solve the underlying condition, which will encourage more natural hair growth. Some other health conditions associated with hair loss are:

• Anemia, which is caused by iron or B vitamin deficiencies
• Autoimmune diseases such as lupus
• Trichotillomania, which is a psychological disorder that causes sufferers to pull out their own hair
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a common female hormone disorder that causes excessive production of male hormones
• Certain nutritional deficiencies such as iron, biotin, protein, L-Arginine, vitamin E, and vitamin B deficiencies

There are also certain medications that are associated with hair loss such as:

• Antacids
• Beta-blockers
• Cholesterol drugs
• Parkinson’s medications
• Anti-arthritics
• Anti-thyroid medications
• Anticonvulsants
• Vitamin A derived drugs
• Anti-ulcer drugs
• Anticoagulants

Conventional Strategies for Hair Growth

Can hair loss from adrenal fatigue be reversed medically? Well, there are several different conventional therapies that can help with hair growth in some individuals. However, keep in mind that if you don’t address the underlying cause of your hair loss, then you will just continue to lose more hair. You may also experience other uncomfortable symptoms that are associated with the hormone imbalance.

That’s why your first step should be to see a health care practitioner who can help you address the underlying cause of your hair loss. However, if you’ve tried that and it hasn’t helped, then here are some other options:

• Follicular unit extraction, which is when a doctor takes follicular units from the back of the head and transplants them to where they're needed
• Follicular unit transplantation, which is when a doctor transplants skin grafts containing hair follicles into balding areas
• Hair growth medications like spironolactone (Aldactone) and finasteride (Propecia)

Can Hair Loss from Adrenal Fatigue be Reversed Naturally? A Closer Look

The answer to the question, ‘can hair loss from adrenal fatigue be reversed naturally?’ isn’t simple. Adrenal fatigue related symptoms are mostly related to hormones, which can be notoriously difficult to balance. However, decreasing your stress levels is a good place to start. This will allow your adrenal glands to rest and recover, which in turn will help to reduce and correct imbalances in the Hormone Circuit. This will encourage your hormones to find a more natural balance, which can encourage better hair growth and less hair loss.

Some ideas to help you reduce your stress levels naturally are:

• Meditate to calm your body and mind
• Stretch regularly to release tension
• Do adrenal breathing to release stress
• Do some gentle exercise every day according to what your body can tolerate
• Eat a diet based on lean proteins, healthy fats, whole grains, vegetables, and fruits
• Eliminate processed, sugary, salty, and fatty foods from your diet
• Work on eliminating any bad habits such as drinking or smoking
• Try to establish a regular sleep routine
• Identify stressors in your life and reduce or eliminate them where possible

These lifestyle changes should be made slowly and with respect to your body. Remember that everyone’s body is different, and you are the best judge of your condition and your health. This means that if you feel like something is wrong or getting worse at any time during this process, then you can stop and reassess.

Hair Growth Promotion Strategies

Whether your hair loss is due to adrenal fatigue or other causes, there are practical things you can do that will help promote healthy hair growth. It's important that you adopt these strategies alongside any necessary steps to correct the underlying hormone imbalances, as these will only promote healthy growth, not correct any exist issues.

• Some ways to improve the health of your scalp and hair are:
• Refrain from blow drying or use the coolest setting if you must
• Comb your hair gently when it's wet and don't style until it's dry
• Use bleach and other chemical hair treatments sparingly
• Trim your hair to encourage new growth
• Don't wash every day and use nourishing products when needed
• Avoid hair extensions, as they tend to pull out the hair you have
• Get a head massage
• Condition your hair every time you shampoo

Supplements to Reverse Hair Loss from Adrenal Fatigue

You may also consider taking supplements to help support good general health and hair growth. However, it’s vital that you refrain from taking a ‘scattergun’ approach to supplements as they can be very powerful and cause interactions with other medications, paradoxical reactions, and side effects. They can also be stressful to break down, use, and eliminate if you have adrenal fatigue and your body is already overwhelmed and fragile.

That’s why you need to work with a health care professional who can guide you in your adrenal fatigue recovery journey if you want to take this approach. They will encourage you to first try to get all the nutrients you need from your diet, as this is safer and gentler for your body. Taking supplements should be a last resort in this journey and must be done carefully and with respect for your overall condition and holistic health.

Some supplements that can be helpful for promoting healthy hair growth are:

• Vitamin B to correct deficiencies
• Iron if you’re anemic
• HSN Formula combines the potency of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E (d-Alpha tocopheryl succinate), and vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine HCl) to strengthen hair follicles, promote healthy hair growth, and reduce breakage. Biotin, with its exceptional concentration of 5000mcg, boosts keratin production, resulting in thicker, fuller hair that radiates confidence. It features a proprietary blend of carefully selected ingredients. OptiMSM® (methylsulfonylmethane) and hydrolyzed collagen type 1 & 3 (bovine) rejuvenate and repair damaged hair, while L-methionine and gotu kola extract support scalp health and stimulate hair follicles. The inclusion of grape seed extract, citrus bioflavonoid complex, and natural astaxanthin complex provides powerful antioxidant protection, combating the free radicals that can contribute to hair loss. With ingredients like fo-ti root powder, amla fruit extract, and hyaluronic acid, this exceptional formula nourishes the scalp, improves blood circulation, and promotes healthy hair growth from the inside out. The addition of minerals like zinc (as citrate), selenium (as L-selenomethionine), and copper (as cupric oxide) ensures that your hair receives the essential nutrients it needs for optimal strength and vitality.

Can Hair Loss from Adrenal Fatigue be Reversed: The Takeaway

Can hair loss from adrenal fatigue be reversed? The short answer is yes, but only when you take the right recovery steps and work hard on addressing the underlying adrenal issues as well as the circuit imbalance that’s causing the problem. If you’re ready to start on this journey to having healthy hair growth again, then here’s how to get started:

1. Talk to a health practitioner who’s aware of adrenal fatigue and its impact on the body’s circuits
2. Talk to a health professional about strategies to promote hair growth and reverse hair loss from adrenal fatigue
3. Try to reduce stress in your life, whether by eliminating stressors or adopting strategies that help you rest and relax

For more help with hair loss and other issues related to adrenal fatigue, talk to our team on +1 (626) 571-1234 or click here.