Can low folic acid cause hair loss?

Sunday I began having hair loss. And a significant amount of it too! Day by day, hundreds (probably 300 hairs are falling out!) I have extremely thick hair, and I am beginning to tell a big difference. I did go to the doctor today, because I thought it could be my thyroid. After blood work, it showed my thyroid was normal but that my folic acid was pretty low. While I know it is true that low folic acid can cause hair loss, can it cause it THAT rapidly? Has anyone ever experienced this? I'm 25, and this is the weirdest and most complex thing.Can low folic acid cause hair loss?
It seems like the answer is ';yes';, here's an article I've found that may be helpful:





There are many factors that contribute to hair loss, hormones, heredity, stress, illness, diet, and poor hair care can all help to cause hair loss. Diet, stress, and illness are the temporary conditions and once you either remove the stress or cure the illness, change the diet, things should in most cases go back to normal.





Folic acid has long been hailed as a fundamental part of women's health, especially for pregnant women.


Do you realize that folic acid can also play a big role in keeping your hair on top of your head where it belongs? Taking folic acid vitamins for hair loss prevention can not only greatly decrease your chances of experiencing hair loss to begin with, as well as help to prevent future hair loss.





Folic acid plays an important role in hair loss prevention. Another important nutrient that causes hair loss prevention is Biotin. Vitamins B-6 and B-12, biotin, and folic acid all help maintain hemoglobin levels in the blood; hemoglobin is the molecule in red blood cells that contains iron. The main function of hemoglobin is to transport oxygen between the lungs and the body's tissues, so both hair and skin can suffer if these vitamins are lacking in our body.





Folic acid is found in various foods, including vegetables, especially green vegetables such as kale, spinach, beet greens, and chard; potatoes; cereal and cereal products; fruits; and organ meats (for example, liver or kidney). It is best to eat fresh fruits and vegetables whenever possible since they contain the most vitamins.Can low folic acid cause hair loss?
I have low folic acid as well and come to think of it i have noticed my hair falling out more.
The type of hair loss that causes excessive shedding is called telogen effluvium. It sounds like yours came on suddenly and rapidly. Because of this there may be another cause other than low folic acid. With telogen effluvium, before the hair actually falls out it goes into a resting (telogen) phase for 1-3 months and then sheds. Thinking back to the months prior to the shed may provide clues. Any type of change, disturbance or imbalance that the body has a difficult time adjusting to can cause this condition. Some common causes include vaccination, flu shot, medication, infection, virus, high fever, medical procedure, dental work, exposure to toxins or allergens, trauma, extreme stress etc. Because these things could have happened months before the shedding began people often don't relate them to the hair loss.


Low folic acid can cause a type of anemia which can cause hair loss. If your folic acid levels are dangerously low you would probably be experiencing other symptoms as well. It is possible to have other deficiencies such as B12, zinc, iron etc. along with folic acid that may also contribute to hair loss. You can learn more about the types and causes of female hair loss at the links below.