Why Is My Hair Shedding So Much? | Carabella Dermatology, Carmel IN

When You Notice More Hair in the Shower

It’s normal to shed 50–100 hairs per day — but if you’re seeing more in the drain or on your pillow, it’s time to look deeper.

Excessive shedding, or telogen effluvium, is one of the most common concerns I see at Carabella Dermatology.

It often appears two to three months after a trigger, which means the cause can be easy to miss.

Common Medical and Metabolic Causes

Healthy hair growth depends on your overall health. I often begin with a focused lab workup that includes:

• Ferritin (iron stores): Low ferritin can cause diffuse shedding even when iron levels look “normal.”

• Thyroid (TSH, free T4): Both overactive and underactive thyroids can lead to shedding and thinning.

• Vitamin D: Low vitamin D levels are common in Indiana winters and may contribute to weak or slow regrowth.

If you’ve experienced rapid weight loss, dietary changes, or fatigue, these labs help identify the root cause.

Recent Triggers We’re Seeing More Often

• GLP-1 medications (Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Mounjaro®): Rapid weight loss and nutritional shifts can push hair into the shedding phase.

• COVID-19 infection or illness: Post-viral shedding typically appears two to three months after recovery and can last several months.

• Postpartum changes: Hormone levels drop sharply after delivery, often leading to temporary shedding.

• Emotional or physical stress: Surgery, high fevers, or major life changes can all cause a reset in the hair-growth cycle.

The good news — in most cases, shedding is temporary once balance is restored.

Treatment Options at Carabella Dermatology

At Carabella Dermatology, we address both the why and the how — combining medical insight with personalized treatment.

Depending on your diagnosis and goals, we may recommend:

• Targeted lab evaluation to identify nutritional or hormonal imbalances

• Scalp injections to stimulate regrowth and improve density

• Topical medications such as prescription minoxidil or compounded serums

• Low-dose oral minoxidil for diffuse or stress-related shedding (carefully monitored for safety)

• Nutritional optimization and gentle hair-care routines

Every plan is customized — there’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to restoring healthy, confident hair.

The Takeaway

If you’ve noticed increased shedding, don’t panic — but don’t ignore it either.

Hair loss is often a signal from your body, and with the right evaluation and guidance, regrowth is absolutely possible.

Schedule a Hair and Scalp Consultation

At Carabella Dermatology in Carmel, Indiana, we offer comprehensive, direct-pay visits without the insurance hassle — including advanced hair-restoration options for women and men.

Book online or text 317-778-5030 to schedule your visit.

Let’s help your hair (and your confidence) thrive again.