Three conditions that could mean your hair loss may be more serious –

There are many causes of hair loss. It’s a very common condition that happens to a lot of people, however, in some cases the cause can be something more serious. In this blog we will explore three of the more serious causes of hair loss.

Lupus –                                        

This disease can be caused by problems with the immune system, the body attacks itself.  Lupus has many symptoms, such as rashes and fatigue. They can range from mild to severe. Hair Loss is one of the first signs of Lupus, people also experience thinning in other parts of the body that has hair, such as eyebrows.  Your hair can become brittle and often shed in patches.

Currently, there is no cure for Lupus, but there are different medications that can help calm down the symptoms. The vast majority of people who have been diagnosed with Lupus have normal or near-normal life expectances.

Underactive Thyroid Gland –

This occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. It affects about 1 in 1,000 men and 15 in 1,000 women. Common signs of an underactive thyroid are tiredness, weight gain and feeling depressed and hair loss. An underactive thyroid can often be successfully treated by taking daily hormone tablets to replace the hormones your thyroid isn't making.  

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland that sits just in front of the windpipe. One of it’s main functions is to produce hormones that help regulate the body’s metabolism.

If an underactive thyroid isn’t treated properly then it can lead to certain complications, including heart disease.

Cancer –

Many people refer hair loss to be a symptom of chemotherapy, a cancer treatment. However, it can also be a sign of certain types of cancer.

One types of cancer is Hodgkin’s Lymhoma, this is a rare cancer that develops in the lymphatic system. Common symptoms include, fatigue, swelling of lymph nodes and significant hair loss.  Hodgkin lymphoma can develop at any age, but it mostly affects young adults in their early 20s and older adults over the age of 70. Slightly more men than women are affected.

Hodgkin lymphoma is a relatively aggressive cancer and can quickly spread through the body. Despite this, it's also one of the most easily treated types of cancer. The treatment plan will depend on your general health and age. How far the cancer has spread is also an important factor in determining the best treatment, these includes chemotherapy.