Experts have pointed out that hair can say a lot about us, and tufts of hair may, in fact, help determine whether or not you have a serious health condition.

Research shows that changes in the appearance, texture, or thickness of hair can indicate underlying health problems.

Dandruff, premature graying and thinning of hair are often annoying things that do no harm. But sometimes, it’s a warning sign that there’s a problem, and often it can be treated.

Here are a group of health problems that we can discover with the help of hair:

1. Thyroid problems

Those with a thyroid problem may experience hair loss and a change in the appearance of their hair, said Dr. Charlotte Woodward, clinical director of River Aesthetics.

She added that this may be due to hypothyroidism – a disorder in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones.

She continued, “The condition can lead to hair loss in addition to other symptoms such as fatigue, cold sensitivity, joint discomfort, muscle pain, facial swelling and weight gain. Thyroid medications are used to treat the disease, which is diagnosed by a thyroid hormone (TSH) test.”

Dr. Woodward explained that in addition to hair loss, many thyroid problems put an individual at risk of developing alopecia areata, an autoimmune hair loss syndrome.

She explained: “This type of hair loss is caused by the immune system attacking the hair follicles, which leads to the appearance of circular patches of hair loss unexpectedly. It appears as circular bald patches anywhere on the scalp in men, women and even young children.”

She continued, “It usually appears out of nowhere, even within a few days. While the causes of alopecia are not certain, the disorder develops when white blood cells attack cells in hair follicles, causing them to shrink and hair growth significantly reduced.”

2. Cushing’s syndrome

If your hair is brittle, you may have Cushing’s syndrome, an uncommon disorder characterized by too much cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone.

Brittle hair is only one of the symptoms and people with this condition can also suffer from high blood pressure, fatigue and back discomfort.

3. Anemia

If you are seeing an unusual amount of hair loss daily, it may be due to anemia. This may be an indication that your body is deficient in iron levels.

Hair loss can also occur, temporarily, in response to rapid increases in estrogen levels, as seen after pregnancy or stopping birth control pills.

4. Irritability
Mary Price, Derby-certified hairstylist, said many patients often complain of damage from over-colouring and heat-treating their hair.

According to Marie, excessive heat, such as using hair dryers, can damage hair, making it dry, brittle and difficult to manage.

Mary always suggests using products with protective ingredients while exposing hair to heat.

5. Protein deficiency
Protein is essential for hair growth and health, and a lack of protein has been linked to hair thinning and hair loss. Protein digestion may be a problem for those who suffer from gastrointestinal disorders or who have recently had gastric bypass surgery.

These unique conditions will require the help of your doctor. However, in women, most hair loss is likely related to genetics.

6. Stress
Many people who have contracted the coronavirus have reported hair loss, and medics previously said this could be due to the stress it places on the body.

Dr. Woodward explained that it has been hypothesized that chronic stress plays a role in hair graying by causing DNA damage and reducing the amount of pigment-producing cells in hair follicles.

And oxidative stress, another type of stress, may also play a role in gray hair.

Dr. Victoria Manning, co-medical director of River Aesthetics who works with RegenLab, adds that genes have a role in the development of gray hair.