would an allergy to gluten cause hairloss? this has been ongoing for several years and is still, even after some hormonal and thyroid treatment by so-called specialists...so i'm now exploring other possible causes of hairloss. help please

Hair loss associated with gluten would not be an allergy. It would actually mean that you have celiac disease which is an autoimmune disorder where your body cannot process gluten properly. It means that when you consume foods with gluten in them your body reacts to it as foreign and tries to attack it, ultimately destroying your villi (nutrient absorbing projections in your small intestine). The reason why celiac disease might result in hair loss is because your body is not receiving all the nutrients from your food like it should. When I was in high school, this is what happened to me. I just recently finally got diagnosed with celiac disease. Do some research online - just type in celiac disease, if you feel like you might have some symptoms, go to your Doctor and get the blood tests. They will eventually have to do a biopsy from your small intestines to diagnose you for sure, but the blood tests show them signs of needing a biopsy. The only cure for celiac disease is a VERY strict diet of no gluten. Gluten is found in everything: bread, pasta, soy sauce, most packaged food, canned soup, beer, some liquor...it is not easy, but it will save your life refraining from it, if you have the disease. Also, if you think you have symptoms of this - DO NOT get off gluten yet. You will have to be consuming gluten for the tests to show up correctly.

Hope that helped.

Hi. Gina is right. celiac can indeed lead to hairloss (and a MULTITUDE of other symptoms!) You need to see a GI to be diagnosed with Celiac and do NOT start the Gluten Free diet prior to testing. Feel free to email me with questions.