Insulin-induced Pattern Hair Loss

Insulin resistance is common, and many people do not realise they have it. It occurs when the body cannot utilise insulin effectively – ultimately affecting blood sugar, inflammation, hormones – and in some cases – scalp hair growth.

It is often discussed in relation to weight gain, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart health. However, insulin resistance can also affect people who are not overweight. Hormonal changes during peri-menopause and menopause may also cause some females to more prone to this metabolic disturbance.

For people experiencing pattern hair loss, insulin resistance may be one piece of the puzzle. It can influence hormone activity and inflammation, both of which may affect sensitive hair follicles.

Insulin is a hormone that helps move glucose from the blood into the body’s cells for energy. When cells become less responsive to insulin, the body often produces more of it. This is sometimes called hyperinsulinaemia, meaning higher-than-normal insulin levels.

Importantly, a person does not have to be obese—or even overweight—to have insulin resistance.

Stress may also play a role: when stress is ongoing Cortisol levels can remain elevated, causing insulin to be less effective. Some hormone medications may also influence insulin sensitivity in certain people.

Common signs suggesting Insulin Resistance:

• Feeling hungry soon after eating or rarely feeling satisfied.
• Increasing numbers of skin tags seen on the body.
• A pattern scalp hair thinning observed across the top of the head.
• Darkened skin in the armpits, groin or folds of the neck.
• Blood test changes, such as raised insulin, altered cholesterol ratios, liver enzymes or inflammatory markers.
• Weight gain around the waist or upper abdomen.

Simple steps that may help:

• Reduce highly processed foods, fast foods, sugary drinks and refined carbohydrates where possible.
• Choose whole fruit instead of fruit juice and drink water as your main everyday drink.
• Limit refined white bread and regular wheat or corn-based pasta. Higher-fibre options, such as seeded bread or pasta made from lentils or chickpeas may be better choices.
• Limit alcohol as it adds extra energy without much nutritional value.
• Reduce ongoing stress where possible. If stress cannot be avoided, balance it with sleep, exercise, meditation, yoga, counselling, support groups or enjoyable leisure activities.

Supporting healthier insulin levels:

• Choose whole foods where possible: proteins, vegetables of many colours, some fruit and small serves of complex carbohydrates.
• Use cooking fats in moderation and focus on whole, minimally processed foods overall.
• Intermittent fasting may help some people, but it should be approached carefully and avoided if medically unsuitable.
• Build regular sleep habits and reduce screen use for 1–2 hours before bed.
• Include regular movement, such as strength training, brisk walking or swimming, in a way that suits your body and fitness level.
• Stay well hydrated and avoid smoking, vaping and illicit drugs.

Supplements: speak with a qualified practitioner first

• Magnesium, especially chelate, glycinate, bisglycinate or citrate forms, may support healthy blood sugar regulation.
• Taurine and glycine are amino acids sometimes discussed in relation to metabolic health.
• Choline is an essential nutrient found in foods such as eggs and organ meats.
• Myo-inositol is a naturally occurring compound that may support insulin sensitivity, hormone balance and ovarian function in some women.
  • Inositol aids in promoting:

• Insulin sensitivity; aids in stabilising blood glucose levels.
• As a non-drug therapy for polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCO-s).
• Aids in the management of hirsutism, acne and T-zone oiliness caused by elevated male hormones (termed: androgens).
• Assists in reducing thyroid antibodies in autoimmune thyroiditis (Dr. Isabella Wentz: 2018)
• Healthy ovarian function + ovum (egg) quality (in younger females)
• De-alkalising properties of Inositol can decrease inflammatory processes within the body.

How insulin resistance may affect hormones and hair

In some women, insulin resistance is associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). PCOS can involve irregular periods, acne, oilier skin, increased facial or body hair, and pattern thinning on the scalp.

Elevated insulin levels can reduce Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG); SHBG carries specific hormones around the body via the bloodstream. A low SHBG will usually result in increased male hormone levels, giving rise to (pattern) scalp hair thinning, acne breakouts, and increased facial or body hair.

SHBG explained simply

SHBG is produced in the liver and binds to hormones such as testosterone, oestrogen and T4 thyroid hormone – helping control how much of these hormones are available to the body.

SHBG can be influenced by nutrition, stress, illness, medications, thyroid function, hormone therapy, age and lifestyle.

Causes for elevated SHBG are:

• Oestrogen excess: synthetic oestrogens found in all contraceptives or HRT.
• Medications: anticonvulsants such as phenytoin sodium (Dylantin), Carbamazepine (Tegretol) or thyroxine (T4 thyroid hormone)
• Health issues: liver disease, anorexia or hyperthyroidism.
• Pregnancy

A raised SHBG may also cause symptoms of low thyroid function because SHBG partly binds + inactivates the thyroid hormone T4 (Thyroxine).

Factors that increase SHBG:

• Age
• Thyroid hormone T3
• Oestrogen including Phyto-oestrogens (plant derived such as Dong Quai)
• High fibre; low protein diet

Factors that decrease SHBG:

• Male hormone (termed ‘Androgens’)
• Progesterone (P4) – low P4 is a common concern for peri-menopausal women.
• Cortisol (Stress + anti-inflammatory hormone from our Adrenal Glands)
• High Protein/(good) Fats diet

Why this matters for hair loss

The main takeaway is that insulin resistance can affect hormone balance. This may include changes in insulin, testosterone, oestrogen and SHBG.

In women, testosterone is produced by both the ovaries and adrenal glands. Normally, some testosterone can be converted back into oestrogen through a process called aromatisation.

When insulin levels are elevated this hormone conversion process may not work as smoothly. This can leave more testosterone active in the body, which may be relevant for people prone to androgen-related hair thinning.

A healthcare practitioner can arrange blood tests to assess insulin, glucose, inflammation markers, thyroid function and relevant hormones. These results can help guide a personalised plan.

Because these pathways are complex, it is best to avoid self-diagnosing. If you have pattern hair loss, irregular cycles, acne, unwanted facial or body hair, fatigue or unexplained weight changes, professional assessment may be helpful.

When testosterone is more active, it can convert to dihydrotestosterone, known as DHT. DHT can shrink sensitive hair follicles over time. This process may lead to pattern hair loss across the top of the scalp.

Testosterone and DHT are normal hormones in both men and women. Problems may arise when hormone levels are out of balance, or when hair follicles are especially sensitive to androgens.

Very low-calorie diets have been studied for reversing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes in some people. However, these diets are not suitable for everyone and should only be used short term under medical or dietitian supervision.

Possible contributors to higher testosterone in women

1. Severe obesity refers to a high body weight in relation to height and overall health risk.
2. Higher-fibre pasta options include varieties made from lentils, red lentils or chickpeas.
3. Aromatase is an enzyme involved in converting some testosterone into oestrogen.

Key takeaway: Insulin resistance, weight changes and hormone imbalance may contribute to pattern hair loss in both women and men. They may also affect how well some hair-loss treatments work. If you are concerned, a personalised assessment can help identify the most relevant factors for you.

Copyright Anthony Pearce 2012 (fully revised June 2026)