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Age-related pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia, or AGA, affects as many as 80% of men and 50% of women during our lifetimes.1
Yet millions of us don’t have AGA and still are losing our hair. What gives?
“There are several illnesses that commonly cause hair loss,” explained Gretchen Dueñas-Tanbonliong, MS, MPH, RDN, MCHES, Associate Director of Health and Wellness at NCOA. “And some of them go hand-in-hand with getting older. Meaning: it sometimes can be hard to tell whether our hair loss is because of age or something else.”
Health Conditions, Hair Loss, and Age at a Glance
| The risk for developing certain chronic conditions associated with hair loss increases with age. |
| Some medications can cause hair loss, including several commonly prescribed for older adults. |
| Major life events, like surgeries, retirement, and bereavement, can trigger stress-related hair loss. |
Are you losing your hair and wondering whether one of these factors is to blame? In this article, we cover:
- Which diseases and illnesses cause hair loss
- What other health-related conditions cause hair thinning
- When to see a doctor about hair loss
- Whether and how you can treat it
Keep reading to learn more about health conditions and related hair loss.
Can medical conditions cause hair loss?
Yes. The chart below lists some common culprits.
Illnesses That Cause Hair Loss | |||
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Condition |
Examples | ||
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Thyroid disorders |
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Diabetes |
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Autoimmune diseases |
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Chronic illnesses & inflammatory conditions |
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What medical conditions cause hair loss?
Let’s take a detailed look.
Thyroid disorders and hair loss
An estimated 20 million Americans have a thyroid disorder.2 And the older we get, the more likely it becomes that we’ll develop one.3 This is particularly true for women, especially those of us age 60 and older.4
The thyroid gland is in charge of metabolism.2 Put simply, metabolism is the body’s process for turning food and oxygen into the energy it needs. A healthy thyroid produces three hormones, known as T3, T4, and calcitonin. Together, these hormones keep metabolism running smoothly.4
An underactive thyroid gland (known as hypothyroidism) doesn’t make enough of these hormones. An overactive one (known as hyperthyroidism) makes too many. Both situations can interrupt the hair growth cycle and cause the hair to thin.5 In hypothyroidism, new hair grows much more slowly than usual while normal shedding continues.6 In hyperthyroidism, new hair grows normally but shedding kicks into high gear.6 In both cases, the overall effect is diffuse thinning all over the scalp.
Thyroid hair loss also can affect the eyebrows, pubic region, and other parts of the body.6
Thyroid dysfunction has many causes; two major forms are Graves’ Disease, a form of hyperthyroidism; and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, a form of hypothyroidism. Both of these are autoimmune conditions, several of which are tightly linked to hair loss (more on this below).
Diabetes and hair loss
More than 40 million Americans, including nearly 30% of people age 65 and older, live with diabetes.7 There are two main types—Type 1 and Type 2—both of which affect the pancreas. (Type 2 is most common among older adults and our risk for it increases with age).8
The pancreas is an organ that makes insulin, a hormone our bodies depend on to control glucose (also called “blood sugar”) levels. In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas can’t produce enough insulin—or any at all. In Type 2 diabetes, the pancreas can’t effectively use the insulin it does make. This leads to high blood sugar levels, a condition doctors call hyperglycemia.
Over time, hyperglycemia can damage blood vessels and slow circulation—including on the scalp. This deprives hair follicles of the nutrients and oxygen they need. More hair falls out, and new hair comes in much more slowly than normal.9 In some cases, people with diabetes also can lose hair from their arms and legs.
If you have diabetes, managing the condition with medications and lifestyle changes can help slow associated hair loss or reverse it altogether.
Autoimmune diseases and hair loss
Autoimmunity is a form of mistaken identity. Instead of attacking harmful invaders like viruses and bacteria, the body’s immune system turns on itself—damaging healthy cells, organs, and biological processes.10 (For example, in Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s, the immune system attacks the thyroid gland).
Today in the U.S., about 15 million people live with one or more autoimmune conditions.11 Increasing age has emerged as a possible risk factor, though we don’t yet understand why. It could be due to changing hormones; longer-term exposure to food additives, chemicals, and environmental toxins; chronic inflammation; and more.12
Many autoimmune conditions can cause hair loss. Several are most likely to. In addition to autoimmune thyroiditis, these include:
- Alopecia areata13
“Alopecia” is a general term for baldness. “Areata” means that it happens in defined patches. In alopecia areata (AA), the immune system attacks the hair follicles directly. Most people with AA experience small, round bald spots on their heads. Some people experience total hair loss on their scalp and bodies. AA hair loss happens suddenly. Usually, it grows back—but it’s hard to predict when. - Celiac disease14
Celiac disease (CD) is a condition affecting the gut. In CD, gluten (a protein found in wheat and other grains) triggers the immune system to attack the tiny hairs in the intestine. Called “villi,” these hairs help absorb nutrients from food. In particular, Vitamin D and B12 deficiencies (common in celiac disease) may be linked to hair loss. People with celiac also are more likely to develop alopecia areata.15 - Systemic lupus erythmatosis16
Commonly shortened to “lupus,” SLE can affect multiple organs and systems. This includes the kidneys, heart, joints, and skin. Often, lupus can cause rashes and sores on the scalp. These can damage the follicles and cause hair to fall out. On top of that, certain medicines doctors use to treat lupus can also trigger hair loss. These include steroids and drugs that suppress the immune system.
Chronic illnesses and inflammatory diseases
Additional medical conditions that cause hair loss can include:
- Cancer
Typically, cancer treatments—including chemotherapy, radiation, and drugs that suppress the immune system—cause hair loss, not the disease itself. The stress of having a serious illness can play a role, too. - Polycystic ovary syndrome17
Also known as PCOS, this complex disease mainly affects women. People with PCOS have high levels of androgens (male hormones) which often causes pattern baldness. And as many as 50% of people with PCOS also will develop Type 2 diabetes. - Psoriasis18
This inflammatory disease causes skin cells to grow too quickly and form itchy, scaly patches on the body. Psoriasis doesn’t directly make your hair fall out. However, scratching scales on your scalp can. Psoriasis hair loss isn’t permanent.
What other health-related conditions can cause hair loss?
- Medications
Some prescription drugs and over-the-counter remedies can make you lose your hair. These include medications for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart arrythmias (like atrial fibrillation, or A-fib).19 - Stress
As we age, we’re more likely to go through emotional experiences that can trigger different types of hair loss. For example, life changes such as retirement or the loss of a loved one can result in significant stress—a known cause of shedding.20 - Surgery
Any major operation potentially can cause hair loss. Physical stress from the procedure itself, side effects from anesthesia, and other factors can trigger major shedding.21 Often, this happens several months later and is temporary. - Malnutrition
Hair follicles have a high turnover rate, so they're very sensitive to nutrient shortages. When the body is short on calories or specific nutrients, it prioritizes vital organs over "non-essential" tissue like hair, pushing more follicles into a resting phase. This typically shows up as telogen effluvium — diffuse shedding that appears about 2–3 months after the nutritional deficit started (not immediately).
Should I see a doctor about my hair loss?
Yes. Your health care professional can help identify why you’re losing your hair. This can be reassuring. Not only that, you might uncover a health condition you didn’t realize you had. Consider that an astounding 60% of people with thyroid disease are unaware and undiagnosed.2 Paying attention to hair loss can help you maintain your overall health.
Can I reverse my hair loss?
Maybe. To figure out the best treatment for your hair loss, you’ll want to work with your doctor to discover the reason why you’re experiencing it. If you can identify and address an underlying medical cause, there’s a good chance your hair quality will improve, too.
Also, some people respond well to specific hair loss remedies. These may include both prescription and over-the-counter topical and oral drugs, supplements, and hair growth serums.
Not all of these options are created equal, however. The best treatments for hair loss for women can be different from the best treatments for hair loss in men. It’s always a good idea to ask your doctor before trying anything new. This helps you avoid any dangerous drug interactions and better understand what you can and can’t expect from treatment.
The bottom line
There are many different medical conditions and illnesses that cause hair loss. Some of these—including Type 2 diabetes, thyroid disorders, and other autoimmune diseases like alopecia areata—become more common with age.
It may seem logical—tempting, even—to chalk up hair loss simply to age-related pattern baldness (also called androgenetic alopecia). But it’s important to know the difference.
Your health care provider can help pinpoint the reason why your hair is thinning and address any underlying health conditions that may cause it. Together, you might consider other hair loss treatments and whether they are safe and effective for you to use.
Sources
1. Alessia Villani, et al. Hair Aging and Hair Disorders in Elderly Patients. International Journal of Trichology. Nov–Dec 2022. Found on the internet at
2. American Thyroid Association. General Information. Found on the internet at https://www.thyroid.org/media-main/press-room/
3. American Thyroid Association. Older Patients and Thyroid Disease. Found on the internet at https://www.thyroid.org/thyroid-disease-older-patient/
4. Gina Lynem-Walker, MD. Why Women are More Susceptible to Thyroid Disease. MI Blue Daily. July 18, 2026. Found on the internet at https://www.bcbsm.mibluedaily.com/stories/women-s-health/why-women-are-more-susceptible-to-thyroid-disease
5. Keck Medicine of USC. Thyroid Problems: Fluctuating Weight, Hair Loss and More. June 27, 2025. Found on the internet at https://www.keckmedicine.org/blog/symptoms-of-thyroid-problems-fluctuating-weight-hair-loss-and-more/
6. Cleveland Clinic. Is My Thyroid to Blame for My Hair Loss? Jan. 11, 2024. Found on the internet at https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-my-thyroid-condition-to-blame-for-my-hair-loss
7. American Diabetes Association. Statistics About Diabetes. Found on the Internet at https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/statistics/about-diabetes
8. Mayo Clinic. Type 2 diabetes. Feb. 27, 2025. Found on the internet at https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20351193
9. Stephanie Watson. Does Diabetes Cause Hair Loss? Healthline. July 11, 2022. Found on the internet at https://www.healthline.com/health/does-diabetes-cause-hair-loss
10. Autoimmune Association. What is Autoimmunity? Found on the internet at https://autoimmune.org/resource-center/about-autoimmunity/
11. Aaron H. Abend et al. Estimation of prevalence of autoimmune diseases in the United States using electronic health record data. The Journal of Clinical Investigation. Dec. 12, 2024. Found on the internet at https://www.jci.org/articles/view/178722
12. Tracy Asamoah, MD. Understanding Late-Onset Autoimmunity. Global Autoimmune Institute. Found on the internet at https://www.autoimmuneinstitute.org/articles/understanding-late-onset-autoimmunity/
13. National Alopecia Areata Foundation. What is Alopecia Areata? Found on the internet at https://www.naaf.org/alopecia-areata/
14. Celiac Disease Foundation. What is Celiac Disease? Found on the internet at https://celiac.org/about-celiac-disease/what-is-celiac-disease/
15. Rheumatology Advisor. Celiac Disease Linked to Higher Risk for Developing Alopecia Areata. Dec.17, 2024. Found on the internet at https://www.rheumatologyadvisor.com/news/celiac-disease-linked-to-higher-risk-for-developing-alopecia-areata/
16. Lupus Foundation of America. What is lupus? Found on the internet at https://www.lupus.org/
17. PCOS Challenge. What is PCOS? Found on the internet at https://pcoschallenge.org/what-is-pcos/
18. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Scalp Psoriasis: 10 Ways to Reduce Hair Loss. Found on the internet at https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/psoriasis/treatment/genitals/scalp-hair-loss
19. Stephanie Watson. Medications That Can Cause Hair Loss. Sept. 18, 2024. Found on the internet at https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/drug-induced-hair-loss-2
20. Mayo Clinic. Stress and hair loss: are they related? May 10, 2023. Found on the internet at https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/expert-answers/stress-and-hair-loss/faq-20057820
21. Kristeen Cherney. What Causes Hair Loss After Surgery? Healthline. Feb. 26, 2025. Found on the internet at https://www.healthline.com/health/hair-loss-after-surgery
Hair Loss Treatments for Women
Hair loss becomes more common with age, but there are a wealth of treatments out there. See which hair loss treatments for women we tested and our experts recommend.
