THINNING ON TOP? A GP CAN HELP YOU GROW OUT OF IT

HATS off to actress Jada Pinkett Smith, above, for talking publicly about her hair loss from alopecia.

It looks as if the 50-year-old wife of Hollywood star Will Smith has been suffering from alopecia areata – patchy hair loss caused by problems with the immune system.

There are lots of reasons for losing hair, and for women in particular it can be hugely distressing.

I would encourage anyone who suddenly notices hair loss to visit their GP. It can be a sign of thyroid problems or related to iron levels. These can be flagged up in blood tests and treated.

The menopause, and a drop in the female sex hormone oestrogen, can also cause hair to thin or recede. Other triggers include crash dieting, stress, the shock of accidents and side effects of medications.

Hair loss can be upsetting. But in many cases there are treatments, such as hormone medications, to help it regrow.