Hair Loss and Diabetes

Until recently, there was no obvious link between diabetes and hair loss. However, many doctors saw an increase in the number of patients suffering from alopecia and diabetes, and they concluded that there is a link between the two conditions.

Unregulated diabetes can lead to severe damage in the small blood vessels, and doctors therefore assumed that diabetes causes hair loss by significantly reducing blood supply to the scalp.

Nevertheless, some endocrinologists took a closer look at this case and noticed something interesting. Men with diabetes (type I or II) and alopecia showed the same hair loss pattern as in women viz: thinning hair spread over the head (Ludwig scale) and not the male pattern of baldness (Hamilton Norwood).

Although the link is not yet obvious, endocrinologists do know a few things:

1. Diabetes associated with alopecia is most likely caused by the disease itself and not by drugs (insulin);
2. Women with hair loss (thinning hair spread over the head, Ludwig scale) have a unique hormone disorder that is different from men with androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness); and
3. Men with diabetes and androgenetic alopecia probably have hormonal dysfunction similar to women suffering from hair loss and that that is why they show these female forms of hair loss.

Following this new information, it seems that there is a link between diabetes (type I and II) and hair loss. Therefore, it is wise to see an endocrinologist who is knowledgeable about diabetes and alopecia to make sure the diabetes is well regulated and under control. This will help correct some hormonal abnormalities and perhaps reduce hair loss. Once this is realized, you can ask your doctor about proven products such as Minoxidil and Finasteride.