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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.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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