Losing a few hairs each day is normal. But when you begin to notice clumps of hair loss in the shower, on your pillow, or when brushing, it can feel alarming. Others notice a gradual, general thinning across the scalp over months without visible bald patches. Both patterns of hair loss are common — and many causes are reversible if identified early.
At OneMedicine, we focus on understanding the cause first, so any hair loss treatment we recommend is targeted and not guesswork.
Why Does Hair Sometimes Fall Out in Clumps?
A sudden surge in shedding often happens 2–3 months after a trigger such as:
- Illness or high fever (including COVID)
- Surgery, trauma, or childbirth
- Crash dieting or rapid weight loss
- Severe stress or emotional strain
This is called telogen effluvium — hair temporarily enters the shedding phase together, which is why you see clumps of hair loss at once.
Medical Causes Behind Generalised Hair Loss
Even without a clear trigger, several internal conditions can drive hair loss:
- Low iron or low ferritin (very common in women)
- Low B12, folate, Vitamin D or zinc
- Thyroid disorders (underactive or overactive)
- Hormonal imbalance such as PCOS or menopause
- Post-infection shedding
- Autoimmune alopecia areata (patchy loss)
- Medication side effects
These are not “cosmetic” problems — they are medical issues affecting hair follicles.
Do You Need Blood Tests for Hair Loss?
In most cases, yes. Blood tests help identify the internal drivers of hair loss and prevent months of trial-and-error.
Commonly checked:
- Ferritin / Iron Studies
- Thyroid Function
- Vitamin B12 and Folate
- Vitamin D
- CRP (inflammation)
- Hormonal profile in selected patients
Tests can be arranged through your GP or privately. If you already have results, bringing them to your consultation speeds up your care.
Hair Loss Treatment — Why Cause Matters
Effective hair loss treatment is not “one product for everyone”. Treatment depends on what is driving the shedding:
- Iron replacement if ferritin is low
- Optimising thyroid function
- Correcting B12 / folate / Vitamin D deficiency
- Hormonal treatment if PCOS or menopause is a factor
- Anti-inflammatory treatment for autoimmune hair loss
- Medical topicals (e.g. minoxidil) when appropriate
- Procedural options (PRP, micro-needling) in suitable cases
Fixing the cause before adding treatments improves recovery and prevents ongoing loss.
When to Seek Medical Review
You should book an assessment if:
✔ You are losing clumps of hair or shedding lasts more than 6–8 weeks
✔ You have visible thinning across the scalp
✔ You have fatigue, weight changes, menstrual changes or thyroid symptoms
✔ You have been told tests are “normal” but still have hair loss
✔ You want a structured plan rather than trial-and-error products
The OneMedicine Approach
At OneMedicine we take a diagnostic-first approach:
- Detailed history and scalp assessment
- Targeted blood testing or review of prior results
- A clear, personalised hair loss treatment plan
- Follow-up to track response
Our goal is to correct the internal driver, protect the follicles, and restore confidence with evidence-based care.
