Functional Medicine for Alopecia: Finding the Root Causes of Hair Loss

Hair loss is more than just a cosmetic issue—it’s deeply emotional, often traumatic, and incredibly frustrating. Whether you’re seeing clumps of hair in the shower, patchy areas on your scalp, or thinning over time, you’re not alone—and you deserve answers.

At Vytal Health, we understand that your symptoms aren’t “just in your head.” Our functional medicine approach to alopecia combines compassion with cutting-edge root cause investigation to help restore your hair and your confidence.

Let’s talk about what’s really going on.

What Is Alopecia?

“Alopecia” is the general medical term for hair loss. It includes different types such as:

• Alopecia Areata – autoimmune-related patchy hair loss
• Androgenetic Alopecia – genetic or hormonal hair thinning, often called “male” or “female pattern baldness”
• Telogen Effluvium – sudden shedding due to stress, illness, or hormonal shifts
• Cicatricial (Scarring) Alopecia – permanent hair loss due to inflammation or scarring of hair follicles

While conventional medicine often treats alopecia with topical steroids, immunosuppressants, or tells you to “wait and see,” functional medicine takes a different path: we ask why is the hair loss happening.

Root Causes of Hair Loss: A Functional Medicine Perspective

Here are some of the most common root causes of alopecia we investigate at Vytal Health:

🧠 1. Autoimmunity

In autoimmune alopecia (like alopecia areata), the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles. We investigate what’s triggering immune dysregulation—whether it’s gut imbalances, infections, or toxins.

💡 2. Hormonal Imbalances

Hair loss is a common symptom of thyroid dysfunction (especially hypothyroidism), PCOS, insulin imbalances, perimenopause, or high levels of androgens such as DHT. If your hormones are out of sync, your hair may suffer.

🧬 3. Nutrient Deficiencies

Low levels of iron, zinc, biotin, vitamin D, and B12 are strongly associated with various types of hair loss. We use functional labs to find the deficiencies others may have missed.

🍽️ 4. Gut Health + Absorption Issues

Even if you eat all the right foods, poor gut function can block nutrient absorption. Leaky gut, SIBO, or chronic inflammation may all play a role in hair loss.

🧪 5. Toxins

Heavy metals, mold exposure, and environmental toxins can impair hormone function and cellular health—two major players in hair loss.

😓 6. Chronic Stress

Hair follicles are incredibly sensitive to stress hormones like cortisol. Emotional stress, illness, trauma, and overexercising can all trigger hair loss or exacerbate existing conditions.

How Functional Medicine Can Help You Regrow Hair Naturally

At Vytal Health, we know that hair loss affects more than your appearance—it affects your identity, self-esteem, and daily confidence. That’s why our approach is thorough, personalized, and always validating.

Here’s how Dr. Irene Carr, MD, our functional dermatology expert, approaches alopecia:

🧬 Step 1: In-Depth Testing

We go far beyond surface-level labs. Our doctors often recommend advanced hormone panels, thyroid testing, nutrient analysis, GI testing, and autoimmune markers to uncover the full picture.

🧠 Step 2: Personalized Root Cause Plan

Once we know what’s driving the hair loss, we create a custom care plan to correct the imbalances—naturally. This may include nutritional support, targeted supplements, anti-inflammatory lifestyle changes, and hormonal balancing.

🧴 Step 3: Topical + Internal Support

Depending on your situation, your provider may also recommend natural topical products, low-dose naltrexone (for autoimmune alopecia), or herbal therapies that support regrowth without suppressing your immune system.

💻 Step 4: Virtual, Compassionate Care

All appointments are virtual, and we encourage you to upload photos of your scalp, hairline, or eyebrows. This allows us to track progress and tailor your treatment—without ever leaving your home.

Why Conventional Treatments Often Fall Short

Conventional dermatologists often prescribe steroids or injectables for alopecia, but these don’t work for everyone and can have side effects. Worse, you’re rarely asked about your stress levels, diet, gut health, or immune system.

At Vytal Health, we treat the whole you—not just your scalp.

Ready to Understand What’s Causing Your Hair Loss?

You’re not crazy. You’re not vain. And you’re not stuck.

You just need someone who listens, looks deeper, and believes your hair loss has a root cause worth investigating.

📞 Book a free 15-minute discovery call to talk to a care coordinator and find out if Dr. Irene Carr, or one of our other experienced providers are the right match for you. Curious to learn more? Check out the blog for more educational posts. 

Let’s grow something fuller and  stronger—together.