Genetic hair loss is a huge cause of thinning hair and hair loss in both men and women – and it’s an obvious diagnosis for some. But there are other causes of hair loss that are not genetic and may need more attention as far as treatment. Below are three causes of hair loss you may not have known.

1. Iron Deficiency – Iron deficiency is the second cause of hair loss but thankfully, is the easiest to treat. Foods like spinach are great for iron and you can also take iron supplements. Other foods that are high in iron include red meat, egg yolks, beans, lentils and dried fruit to name a few.

2. Thyroid Issues – Sometimes hair loss can be an indicator of a more serious complication. Hair loss can be a sign of a thyroid issue and should be checked out immediately. Any complications with your thyroid will have other effects on your health, including symptoms like hair loss. Learn more about the Top 10 Signs that You May Have a Thyroid Problem.

3. Crash Dieting – Significantly changing your diet or malnourishment can sometimes have health effects on the body. Our body requires a certain amount of protein, vitamins and minerals that are crucial for the health of our hair and skin. The effects of crash dieting can put your whole body out of whack and long term crash dieting can lead to hair loss, since the follicles are lacking the vital nutrients to stay healthy and grow. When you crash diet, your body goes into starvation mode, and your body ends up storing the fat and burning the muscle. Learn more about the effects of crash dieting.