Differential Diagnosis for Hair Loss and Gut Issues
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) with Telogen Effluvium: This combination is common due to the stress and nutritional deficiencies associated with chronic gut issues, which can lead to hair loss.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Celiac Disease: An autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to react to gluten, leading to gut issues and malabsorption, which can cause hair loss due to nutritional deficiencies.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can lead to malabsorption and chronic inflammation, contributing to hair loss.
- Thyroid Disorders: Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause hair loss and gastrointestinal symptoms, making them a likely consideration in patients with these complaints.
- Autoimmune Disorders: Conditions such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis can cause both hair loss and gastrointestinal issues due to inflammation and autoantibody production.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Cancer: Certain types of cancer, such as gastrointestinal cancers or lymphoma, can present with both hair loss and gut issues, often due to malabsorption or the effects of the cancer itself.
- Malabsorptive Disorders: Conditions like pancreatic insufficiency or small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) can lead to malabsorption of essential nutrients, potentially causing hair loss.
- Infections: Chronic infections, including parasitic infections like giardiasis, can cause both gastrointestinal symptoms and hair loss due to malabsorption and chronic illness.
Rare Diagnoses
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A group of disorders that affect connective tissues, which can lead to gastrointestinal issues and hair loss due to the body's inability to properly absorb nutrients.
- Sjögren's Syndrome: An autoimmune disorder that can cause hair loss and gastrointestinal symptoms among its wide range of effects on the body.
- Acrodermatitis Enteropathica: A rare genetic disorder that affects zinc absorption, leading to severe gastrointestinal symptoms and hair loss.