7 Things Your Hair Says About Your Health

You probably think about your hair on a daily basis — whether you're having a good or a bad hair day or maybe wondering whether you should try a new style from the pages of your favorite magazine. But you might be missing clues that your hair is revealing about your health. Research shows that changes in your hair's look, texture, or thickness can be signs of underlying health conditions, like thyroid disease. Here's how you can tell whether your hair changes are due to a health problem or genetics, starting with clue number one: Sudden changes, such as a lot of hair loss, are more likely linked to a treatable health problem than are gradual changes, such as thinning. The next time you look in the mirror, look out for these hair symptoms.

Hair Shedding and Anemia

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If you are suddenly noticing a lot more hair in your hairbrush or on your shower floor, this could be a sign that your body has low iron stores, or anemia, and may warrant testing. "This is another blood test we do when you complain of hair changes," says Mirmirani. She says she is particularly likely to order this blood test for people who are vegetarian or for women who have heavy periods, both of which increase the chance that hair changes are due to low iron. Iron supplements or a change in diet to include more iron-rich foods can help you keep your hair.

Hair shedding can also happen (temporarily) with sudden changes in estrogen levels and is often noticed after pregnancy or stopping birth control pills.