The two numbers to ask for at your next blood test
If your part is getting wider, these are the first things a good doctor checks. Most of us never ask.
When shedding starts, most of us reach for an oil. Before you buy anything, ask for two numbers at your next blood test: ferritin (your iron stores) and vitamin D.
Low iron is one of the most common reasons women shed more than usual, and it's common in Black women, especially with heavy periods or fibroids. A regular blood count can look fine while your ferritin is low, which is why it's worth asking for it by name.
Vitamin D is the other one. Darker skin makes less vitamin D from the sun, so low levels are common, and they've been linked to hair shedding.
While you're there, ask about your thyroid too. An underactive or overactive thyroid can thin your hair, and it's a simple test.
If something comes back low, that's good news: it's something you can fix with your doctor. If everything is normal, you've ruled out the easy causes, and you can look at what's left, like the hormone side after 40.
