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Having type 1 or type 2 diabetes can lead to serious health problems, including vision loss, nerve damage, cardiovascular complications, and kidney disease. But can diabetes cause hair loss, too — and if so, why does diabetes cause hair loss?
There may be several reasons why diabetes may contribute to hair loss, including complications related to hormones, circulation, and other factors. Fortunately, managing your diabetes — specifically, getting your blood sugar into a healthy range and keeping it there — may help limit hair loss and thinning.
Read on to learn more about causes and treatments for all types of hair loss, as well as how diabetes may affect your hair growth cycle and what you can do about it.
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Is hair loss a sign of diabetes, or rather, can insulin resistance cause hair loss? The short answer is that yes, the impact of diabetes on your overall health may extend to your hair health as well.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects blood sugar levels, which subsequently affect every system in the body, from your hair cycle to your sex drive. The condition is defined as consistently having excess levels of sugar (glucose) circulating in the bloodstream.
Both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes can lead to severe hair thinning, fragile strands, and sparse or slow hair growth. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the pancreas doesn’t produce any insulin, or enough insulin, a hormone necessary for cells to absorb sugar from blood to be stored for energy use later on. Type 2 diabetes is a complication of insulin resistance, in which the body doesn’t respond properly to insulin, which allows blood sugar levels to rise.
Shedding hair at a noticeable and significant pace can be one of the first warning signs of several health problems, such as stress or a hormonal imbalance. It also can be an early indication of unchecked or poorly controlled diabetes.
If you’re undiagnosed and think you may have this chronic health condition, it’s best to meet with a healthcare professional for medical advice. Proper diabetes management can help improve symptoms and potentially reduce hair loss related to the disease.
Hair loss might be a symptom of type 1 or type 2 diabetes. But why does diabetes cause hair loss? There are a number of effects of diabetes that can contribute to hair loss, including immune system issues, high blood sugar levels, metabolic syndrome, hormone imbalances, and stress.
Here’s what to know about some common causes.
If you have type 1 diabetes, you’re at higher risk for other health conditions involving immune system malfunction. This includes a type of hair loss known as alopecia areata (AGA), where the immune system attacks healthy hair follicles mistakenly.
If you are diagnosed with alopecia areata, talk with your healthcare provider about signs of other autoimmune disorders, as you may be at a higher risk for other autoimmune conditions.
The hair follicle is a highly active organ and needs a special environment with a reliable supply of oxygen and nutrients. Over time, chronic high blood glucose levels (aka hyperglycemia) can lead to poor blood circulation, affecting hair follicle health. Without enough oxygen and blood flow, hair follicles can’t produce new hair strands — so when strands fall out, there’s nothing to replace them, resulting in thinning hair and bald spots.
Some studies have found an association between insulin resistance and hair loss, specifically androgenetic alopecia. Further, some experts think that insulin resistance could damage small blood vessels and contribute to AGA.
High levels of circulating blood sugar is one of several factors that make up metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that raise your risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. A study in the Indian Journal of Dermatology also found that having metabolic syndrome is also associated with early onset AGA.
Thyroid problems are common in people with diabetes. Issues with your thyroid could throw your hormones out of whack, leading to hair loss and thinning.
Plus, diabetes can spike stress hormones (namely, cortisol) in your body, messing with your hair follicles and contributing to issues like telogen effluvium. One study found that stress hormones can interfere with stem cell activity necessary for healthy hair growth.
Living with a chronic condition like diabetes can be challenging. At the risk of stating the obvious, it can stress you out. Diabetes can also be a source of anxiety — one of the causes of hair loss.
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Understanding the hair growth cycle can help you understand why diabetes might contribute to hair loss. Hair growth has three stages: the growth phase (anagen), the regression phase (catagen), and the resting phase (telogen). Some also include a fourth phase, the exogen phase, when hair sheds.
Diabetes may disrupt the normal hair growth cycle, resulting in slow growth or extra hair fall-out by disrupting the natural hair growth cycle due to issues relating to blood sugar, hormones, immunity, and stress. This may extend the resting and shedding phases, for instance, leaving less time for regrowth to occur.
Diabetes is usually managed with a combination of dietary and lifestyle changes, as well as medications, such as metformin. Effective diabetes management also requires consistent blood sugar monitoring.
Some treatment options may help. For instance, improvements in continuous glucose monitoring devices has been a significant aid to individuals with diabetes, which in turn could help with associated issues like hair loss. A 2023 study in Cureus found that people who used these devices, which are often worn on the upper arm, tend to have much better glucose control compared with individuals who don’t rely on these small but effective devices.
However, some medications prescribed for diabetes management can also interrupt the hair growth cycle.
For instance, there are some isolated reports of the medication metformin causing hair loss. A 2013 study suggested that a side effect of long-term metformin is decreased levels of vitamin B12 and folate (another B vitamin) in the body. Though the link between metformin and hair loss isn’t totally clear, a deficiency in these nutrients could lead to excess shedding.
Another commonly prescribed diabetes medication, Ozempic®, the brand-name version of semaglutide, which is part of the glucagon-like peptide receptor agonists (GLP-1) drug class and is used in the treatment of diabetes. While there’s no direct link between Ozempic and hair loss, the drug can cause thyroid issues that may impact hair health.
Even if you experience hair loss after taking medication, it is likely your body will adjust over time. If you notice continued shedding, discuss your options with a healthcare professional. They may recommend a different medication, change your dose, or suggest prescription hair loss treatments.
The two most common (and effective) medications for hair loss are minoxidil and finasteride.
Minoxidil (the generic version of Rogaine®) is a topical medication that comes in a liquid solution or as a foam. You apply the medication directly to the areas of your scalp affected by noticeable hair loss.
Minoxidil works by shortening the telogen (resting) phase of the hair cycle and encouraging your hair to enter the anagen (growth) phase early. Everyone is different, but you can typically expect noticeable results after two months. The most significant changes will be visible after four months of regular use.
We offer minoxidil online, either by itself or as part of our non-prescription hair loss kit.
DHT (short for dihydrotestosterone) is the main hormone responsible for androgenetic alopecia, aka male pattern baldness. If you’re genetically sensitive to DHT, the small amount produced by your body could have a serious negative impact on your hair over time.
Research shows that finasteride can lower DHT levels by more than 70 percent, helping reduce the effects of DHT on your hair follicle. It usually takes about six months to see finasteride’s results on hair growth.
We offer finasteride online as an oral tablet or in topical form as a two-in-one finasteride & minoxidil spray. Since finasteride is a prescription medication, you can get it following a consultation with a healthcare provider who’ll determine if it’s right for you.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that can cause a range of health issues from head to toe. Hair loss is a possible symptom of the condition.
Here’s what to keep in mind when it comes to diabetes and hair loss:
Diabetes-related hair loss can happen due to hormone imbalances, immune system issues, chronic high blood sugar, and stress. Excess shedding can be a warning sign of undiagnosed diabetes.
Managing your condition and getting a handle on blood sugar control might help slow or reverse diabetes-related hair loss, and lower your risk of other health complications.
Research-backed hair loss treatments like minoxidil or finasteride can help restore your locks to their former glory. Supplements like our biotin gummies also may help if you have a nutrient deficiency that contributes to hair loss. You might also try our thickening shampoo with saw palmetto, as saw palmetto is a natural DHT blocker.
If you have diabetes and are currently struggling with hair loss, help is available. Talk with your provider to see if our hair loss treatment options might be right for you.
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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.
Dr. Knox Beasley is a board certified dermatologist specializing in hair loss. He completed his undergraduate studies at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, and subsequently attended medical school at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, LA.
Dr. Beasley first began doing telemedicine during his dermatology residency in 2013 with the military, helping to diagnose dermatologic conditions in soldiers all over the world.
Dr. Beasley is board certified by the American Board of Dermatology, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Originally from Nashville, TN, Dr. Beasley currently lives in North Carolina and enjoys spending time outdoors (with sunscreen of course) with his wife and two children in his spare time.
Bachelor of Science, Life Sciences. United States Military Academy.
Doctor of Medicine. Tulane University School of Medicine
Dermatology Residency. San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium
Board Certified. American Board of Dermatology
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