Top 5 Root Causes of Hair Loss Most Doctors Miss

By Dr. Anne Morgan | Thrive Once More, Lee’s Summit & Liberty, Missouri

Hair loss can feel frustrating, disorienting, and downright scary. And if you’re a woman over 40, chances are you’ve been told it’s just part of getting older. Maybe you’ve been offered a shampoo, a supplement, or even worse, told your labs look "normal."

But here’s the truth: hair loss is a symptom, not a diagnosis.

At Thrive Once More, we take a root-cause approach to hair health. That means we don’t just treat the symptom, we dig deeper to find out why your hair is thinning in the first place. Here are the top five causes we commonly uncover that are often missed in conventional settings:

1. Hormonal Imbalances

Fluctuating estrogen, low progesterone, and high androgens (like DHT) are major contributors to hair thinning, especially in perimenopause and menopause. If your ponytail is shrinking or your part is widening, hormones could be driving it.

What most doctors miss: Hormones may be "in range" but not optimal. We use advanced lab testing to look at your full hormone picture and recommend BHRT or natural support based on your unique needs.

2. Thyroid Dysfunction

Even mild thyroid imbalances can impact your hair.

Hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's, or low free T3 levels can slow hair growth and cause shedding, dryness, and texture changes.

What most doctors miss: Thyroid issues often go undiagnosed when doctors only test TSH. We go beyond TSH to look at Free T3, Free T4, antibodies, and more.

3. Nutritional Deficiencies

Hair is metabolically active, and it needs fuel. If you’re low in iron, B vitamins, zinc, or protein, your hair will reflect it.

What most doctors miss: Serum labs don’t always tell the full story. We look at functional markers and patterns to uncover nutrient gaps affecting your hair.

4. Chronic Stress and Cortisol Imbalance

Stress isn’t just emotional; it impacts your entire endocrine system. High cortisol can push hair into the shedding phase prematurely. Low cortisol can slow down regrowth.

What most doctors miss: Stress isn’t just about how you feel, it's physiological. We evaluate patterns that point to burnout, dysregulation, and adrenal fatigue.

5. Scalp Health and Circulation

If the scalp isn’t healthy, hair can’t thrive. Inflammation, poor blood flow, or buildup can block follicles from growing strong strands.

What most doctors miss: They treat the hair, not the environment it grows in. Our approach includes topical support and circulation-boosting therapies like Capillus Spectrum laser therapy.

The Bottom Line

Your hair isn’t just about beauty; it’s a reflection of your internal health.

If you’ve been dismissed or told there’s nothing to be done, we’re here to tell you otherwise. There is hope, and there is a path forward.

Ready to get answers and start healing from the inside out?

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Hair Recovery Program and fill out the inquiry form.