6 Vitamin Deficiencies that Cause Hair Loss in Women

It can be scary when you run your fingers through your hair and notice fewer strands on your head than usual. Maybe you’ve seen them showing up in the shower drain, your brush, or your pillow, and you suddenly find yourself wondering what could possibly be going on…

‘Can a vitamin deficiency cause hair loss?’ is a common first question for many people, as today’s complex food ecosystem can make it hard to get the nutrition your body needs.. 

While nutrition isn’t the only factor in hair thinning, certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies can play a real role. And, regardless of the cause, hair loss is often your body’s way of signaling that something needs attention – and that’s what we will explore today. 

Does Vitamin Deficiency Cause Hair Loss?

Yes, in some cases. But it's not the only cause, and this area is still under active research. It is true that your body needs a delicate balance of nutrients for healthy hair growth. When supply is low (or absorption is impaired), your body may start spending its energy on other core functions to prioritize the limited resources at its disposal  – which can sometimes mean hair growth takes a backseat. 

Below is a simple breakdown of vitamins and nutrients often linked to hair loss:

What Vitamin Deficiency Causes Hair Loss in Females?

Can a Vitamin D Deficiency Cause Hair Loss?

• Vitamin D’s Role: Can help maintain healthy hair growth as it is shown to have a strong correlation to skin and bone health. Vitamin D also supports the development of keratin, a protein that helps make your hair.

• Vitamin D Deficiency Signs: Hair thinning or shedding, fatigue, bone pain,and  muscle weakness.

• Vitamin D Sources: Sunlight exposure, fatty fish (e.g., salmon, mackerel), fortified dairy, or plant milks.

• Can a Vitamin D Deficiency Cause Hair Loss? Many dermatologists and studies suggest yes, it can, or at least that it can worsen shedding in susceptible individuals.

Can Vitamin B12 Deficiency Cause Hair Loss?

• Vitamin B12’s Role: This vitamin is crucial in cell division, meaning that it helps aid in hair growth and follicle health. 

• Vitamin B12 Deficiency Signs: Hair thinning, fatigue, pale skin, numbness or tingling in your hands/feet.

• Vitamin B12 Sources: Meat, fish, dairy, and fortified cereals.

• Can Vitamin B12 Deficiency Cause Hair Loss? It may contribute, especially in those with poor dietary intake or absorption issues (e.g. pernicious anemia).
  
  

Can a Vitamin B7 (Biotin) Deficiency Cause Hair Loss?

• Vitamin B7’s Role: Supports keratin production (a key hair protein).

• Vitamin B7 Deficiency Signs: Hair thinning, brittle nails, skin rashes.

• Vitamin B7 Sources: Eggs, nuts, seeds, sweet potato, and avocado.

• Can a Vitamin B7 Deficiency Cause Hair Loss? True biotin deficiency is rare in healthy individuals, but in theory, yes, it can cause hair loss. 

Can a Vitamin B9 (Folate) Deficiency Cause Hair Loss?

• Vitamin B9’s Role: Like vitamin B12, vitamin B9 is important for cell division and red blood cell production.

• Vitamin B9 Deficiency Signs: Fatigue, weakness, mouth sores, slowed hair growth, anemia-like symptoms. 

• Vitamin B9 Sources: Leafy greens, legumes, and fortified grains.

• Can a Vitamin B9 Deficiency Cause Hair Loss? Because vitamin B9 is essential to cell division and red blood cell production, its absence can cause hair loss. 

Can a Vitamin A Deficiency Cause Hair Loss?

• Vitamin A’s Role: Supports cell growth, including hair follicle health.

• Note: Too much vitamin A (usually via supplements) can itself cause hair loss.

• Vitamin A Deficiency Signs: Dry skin, dry eyes, night blindness, fertility problems, challenges conceiving, poor wound healing, and acne breakouts.

• Vitamin A Sources: Liver, fish, eggs, sweet potato, and carrots.

• “Can a Vitamin A Deficiency Cause Hair Loss? It may be a cause of hair loss, considering cell development is essential for healthy hair and hair follicles. 

Can a Vitamin E Deficiency Cause Hair Loss?

• Vitamin E’s Role: Acts as an antioxidant against free radicals, meaning it protects us from compounds found in the environment from cigarette smoke, air pollution, and UV rays from the sun. 

• Vitamin E Deficiency Signs: Muscle weakness, hair thinning, and skin problems like dryness, scaling, or rashes.

• Vitamin E Sources: Sunflower or safflower oil, nuts, green vegetables, and fortified cereals.

• Can a Vitamin E Deficiency Cause Hair Loss? Since vitamin E is crucial for protecting our bodies from harsh environmental factors, a vitamin E deficiency can absolutely contribute to hair loss, when that protection is lacking. 

Other Key Nutrients Beyond Vitamins

• Iron: This is often cited as one of the most common nutrient deficiencies linked to hair shedding, especially in menstruating women. That is because low iron reduces oxygen delivery to your follicles, and oxygen delivery is essential for healthy hair growth.

• Zinc: Needed for hair follicle repair and growth. A zinc deficiency can lead to thinning and delayed regrowth.

• Protein: Hair is primarily made of keratin. A diet too low in protein can force your body to prioritize essential organs over your hair.

In summary: does vitamin deficiency cause hair loss? It can, in certain cases, but deficiency of any single vitamin is rarely the only cause. It can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of your hair loss, because it is hard to know why your body is not prioritizing hair growth without help from a medical professional.

What should you do next?

If you’re seeing significant hair shedding or thinning, here are some suggestions on what some of your next steps might be.

1. See Your Primary Care Physician

Your primary care physician (PCP) can:

• Take a detailed medical history (menstrual cycles, weight changes, diet, medications, surgeries, illnesses).

• Order a blood panel to check for systemic contributors. Key labs often include:

• CBC (complete blood count)

• Ferritin, total iron, TIBC

• Vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D)

• Vitamin B12 and folate

• Thyroid function (TSH, free T4, sometimes T3)

• Hormones (e.g. DHEA-S, testosterone, estradiol, especially in women)

• Liver function, kidney function, metabolic panel

• Others as indicated (e.g. autoimmune markers, celiac serologies)

• Address any deficiencies with supplements or dietary guidance (within safe ranges).

• Rule out or treat systemic causes (thyroid disease, anemia, chronic disease).

• Refer you to a dermatologist if hair loss persists or appears to involve scalp disease.

Here are some questions you might want to ask if you are visiting your PCP, to help provide clarity between you and your doctor: 

• Based on my symptoms, which tests are you ordering and why?

• What lab values would you consider “normal” vs. “optimal” for hair health?

• How soon might I expect to see improvement (if nutrition is the issue)?

• At what point would you refer me to a dermatologist or specialist?

You can also expect that your physician may ask:

• When did your hair loss start?

• Was the onset sudden or gradual?

• Were there any triggers (illness, weight loss, stress, new medications)?

• Is there any dietary pattern or restrictive eating we should know about?

• Do you have a family history of hair thinning or baldness?

• Are you experiencing any other symptoms (fatigue, cold intolerance, hormonal symptoms)?

2. See a Dermatologist (Skin / Hair Specialist)

A dermatologist brings specialized tools and expertise in diagnosing scalp and hair disorders.

What they may do:

• Scalp and hair examination: Use dermoscopy or magnification to inspect follicles, scalp health, miniaturization, inflammation, or scarring patterns.

• Scalp biopsy (if needed): They may take a small sample of your scalp from areas of active shedding, or around the edges of thinning, to examine the skin and hair follicles under a microscope. This will help them get a better understanding of what is happening in your scalp and assess why you are experiencing hair loss (e.g., inflammation, infection, types of alopecia).

• Order labs (if not already done) or interpret your blood results in the context of hair disease.

• Recommend treatments tailored to your specific type of hair loss.

Some questions you could bring to your dermatology appointment:

• Based on my scalp exam and labs, what type(s) of hair loss do you suspect?

• Will a scalp biopsy help in my case? What would it tell us?

• What are the expected benefits, risks, and timeline of the treatment(s) you recommend?

• How long must I stay on treatment before we judge success or adjust?

• What supportive care (shampoos, topical serums, supplements) can help without interfering with treatment?

When you visit, the dermatologist may:

• Ask about your shedding pattern (diffuse vs patchy vs patterned)

• Take photos for ongoing monitoring

• Choose a biopsy site (if needed)

• Discuss realistic expectations around regrowth or stabilization

• Outline combination strategies (medical + nutritional + cosmetic support)

Whether you decide to see a dermatologist or physician about your hair loss, it is important that you get a bigger picture of what is happening in your body. If you are worried about your  hair thinning or falling out, there could be other things going on with your health that you would be wise to seek advice for.

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