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Hair loss is rarely random — and it is almost never just about iron or shampoo.

In this episode of The Autoimmune Reset, VJ Hamilton explores the deeper physiology behind alopecia and autoimmune-related hair loss, and explains why standard blood tests often leave people stuck with answers but no real direction. Because while tests like ferritin and thyroid markers can tell you what is low, they rarely explain why the body is struggling in the first place.

Drawing from both her own recovery journey and years in clinical practice, VJ shares the five functional tests she most often uses to uncover the hidden drivers of hair thinning and shedding. From gut health and nutrient absorption to hormonal rhythms, mitochondrial energy production, mould exposure, and food reactivity, she walks listeners through the upstream factors that quietly influence immune balance and hair growth.

This episode reframes hair as a barometer of overall health — not the problem itself, but a signal that something deeper requires attention. If you’re tired of guesswork and want a more strategic, root-cause approach to testing, this conversation offers a clear, practical roadmap.

Because when you understand the “why,” everything becomes more precise — and far less overwhelming.

Key Takeaways

• Hair loss is often a symptom, not the root issue
• Blood tests show what’s happening, but rarely explain why
• Gut health determines nutrient absorption and immune regulation
• Hormonal rhythms and stress physiology directly influence shedding
• Mitochondrial energy is essential for growth and repair
• Hidden mould exposure can perpetuate inflammation and immune activation
• Food reactivity may contribute to autoimmune flares
• Strategic testing prevents supplement guesswork
• Alopecia improves when underlying systems are supported
• A personalised, systems-based approach is far more effective than chasing single nutrients

Chapter Markers

00:00 Why blood tests aren’t the full story
02:10 Hair as a barometer of deeper health
03:05 Gut testing: Microbiome Explorer vs GI Effects
06:00 Hormones, cortisol and the DUTCH test
08:10 Energy, nutrients and Metabolomix
09:40 Mould and environmental triggers
10:45 Food reactivity and immune load
12:00 A root-cause roadmap for recovery

Ready to go deeper and understand your own “why”?
→ Learn about the functional testing and 1:1 analysis I offer in clinic
— the same root-cause tests I used to rebuild my own health, with personalised guidance so you know exactly what to do next. You can learn more about the tests offered at the Autoimmune Nutrition Clinic here.

🧘‍♀️ Need nervous system support?
→ I personally use and recommend Nurosym, a vagus nerve stimulation device clinically shown to support immune balance, inflammation, and stress recovery.
Use this link: https://link.nurosym.com/VJ10 for 10% discount at checkout.

📥 New to the podcast or need a starting point?
→ Download my free The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan
— a simple guide that outlines the steps I recommend to all clients as they begin calming the immune response and rebuilding resilience.

💬 Want to connect

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.