Hair fall in Pakistan: causes, and which blood tests to ask about

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Short answer (2026-10-23): Hair fall causes are rarely about water. The NHS lists illness, stress, cancer treatment, weight loss and iron deficiency among causes of temporary hair loss. In a 2024 study of 120 patients with diffuse hair fall at a Pakistani clinic, 79 percent were low in vitamin D, though that study cannot show cause. A doctor can order a blood panel, such as ferritin, vitamin D and thyroid (TSH), to look for treatable causes. This is general information, not medical advice.
Possible cause Where it comes from
Illness, stress, weight loss, cancer treatment NHS list of causes of temporary hair loss
Iron deficiency NHS list; Pakistani health sources
Vitamin D deficiency 79% of 120 clinic patients with diffuse hair fall (2024 Pakistani study, no control group)
Thyroid, hormones Marham; checked with a TSH test
Water No evidence found

Common causes of temporary hair loss

The NHS says other types of hair loss, apart from the inherited pattern, may be temporary and can be caused by an illness, stress, cancer treatment, weight loss or iron deficiency. It advises seeing a GP if you are worried.

Pakistani health site Marham also lists nutritional deficiency (iron, vitamin D), thyroid and hormonal changes, stress, genetics, styling and product overuse, and scalp conditions.

What a Pakistani clinic study found about vitamin D

A 2024 study in Dermatology Practical and Conceptual looked at 120 patients at a dermatology clinic with diffuse, non-scarring hair fall and a positive pull test. Their average vitamin D3 level was 17.33 ng/ml, and 95 of them (79.17 percent) were vitamin D deficient.

What this does and does not show. It shows vitamin D deficiency was common in these patients. It had no comparison group, so it cannot show that low vitamin D caused the hair fall. Do not start supplements on the strength of one study. Ask a doctor.

Blood tests people commonly ask about

Marham says a simple panel checking ferritin (iron stores), vitamin D and thyroid function (TSH) can usually confirm or rule out common treatable causes. Whether you need these, and how to read them, is for your doctor to decide.

Where water fits in

Hard water is not shown to cause hair to fall out. Studies have only measured the strength of hair strands in a lab. Water might make hair feel rough or snap more easily, which is breakage, not shedding. See hair fall or breakage and what the research shows.

See a doctor or dermatologist if

  • Shedding is sudden or heavy.
  • You notice bald patches or a widening parting.
  • Your scalp is sore, red, scaly or itchy.
  • Hair loss follows illness, childbirth, a crash diet or a new medicine.

Frequently asked questions

Should I take iron or vitamin D tablets for hair fall?

Not without testing and advice. Too much iron or vitamin D can cause problems, and the right dose depends on your results.

Will changing my shampoo stop hair fall?

If the cause is internal, such as low iron or thyroid disease, a shampoo will not fix it. A shampoo can only change how the hair and scalp are cleaned.

How long does stress-related shedding last?

Many sources describe stress-related shedding as temporary once the trigger has passed, often over several months. See a doctor if it does not settle.

Is Bloom Hard Water Fix a treatment for this?

No. Hard Water Fix is made for hair that feels rough or coated from mineral buildup. It is not a medical treatment, so if this is your main concern, follow the steps above and see a doctor if it persists.

Sources

  • NHS, hair loss: nhs.uk/conditions/hair-loss
  • Filling the gaps: vitamin D status in diffuse hair fall among Pakistanis. Dermatol Pract Concept, 2024. PMC11620017
  • Marham, hair fall causes: marham.pk (commercial health site, used as a general pointer)

This page is general information and is not medical advice. Bloom is a shampoo brand, not a medical service.

Where Hard Water Fix fits

Hard Water Fix is a sulfate-free shampoo made for hair that feels rough or coated from mineral buildup. It is not a medical treatment and does not treat the condition on this page. If your water is part of the picture, you can test it and try Hard Water Fix with a 10-wash money-back guarantee, free delivery across Pakistan and cash on delivery.

See Hard Water Fix

Related questions

This page is general information and is not medical advice. Bloom is a shampoo brand, not a medical service.

Written by the Bloom editorial team. Last reviewed 2026-10-23. Found a mistake? WhatsApp +92 330 9998215 and we will correct it.

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