Julie Olson FN

Hair loss is not one condition. Not even close.

Yet so many women are handed the same recommendations: take biotin, use a serum, manage your stress, or simply accept that it’s genetic.

The problem? Different types of hair loss can look similar on the surface while being driven by very different mechanisms.

There are at least 8 important patterns and categories to consider:

- Female Pattern Hair Loss / Androgenetic Alopecia
- Telogen Effluvium
- Alopecia Areata
- Traction Alopecia
- Scarring Alopecia
- Nutrient-Deficiency Hair Loss
- Hormonal Hair Loss
- Medication-Induced Hair Loss

And here’s what makes this even more complicated:

You can have more than one happening at the same time.
For example, a woman may have underlying female pattern hair loss and then experience telogen effluvium after illness, rapid weight loss, surgery, severe stress, or a medication change.

Another woman may assume her thinning is “genetic” when iron deficiency, thyroid dysfunction, hormonal shifts, inflammation, poor nutrient absorption, or another underlying issue is contributing.

That’s why I don’t believe in guessing based on hair loss alone.

The category shapes the investigation, and the investigation shapes the solution.

Your hair is telling a story.

The goal is to understand what it’s trying to tell you.

Save this graphic for reference and share it with a woman who has been struggling to understand her hair loss.

What’s really hiding in your hair products?

From hormone disruptors to follicle-weakening cleaning agents, these top 5 chemicals are doing more harm than good.

Save this post before your next hair care haul and check those labels! 🔍✨

Too often, when a woman starts losing her hair, the conversation immediately turns to what she should put on it:

A different shampoo.
A serum.
A procedure.

Another expensive product promising thicker hair.
But female hair loss is often multifactorial.

Nutrition, digestion and nutrient absorption, hormones, thyroid function, metabolic health, stress, illness, medications, rapid weight loss, GLP-1 use, and the actual type of hair loss may all be pieces of the picture.

That doesn’t mean beauty products, medications, or procedures don’t have a place.

I’m not anti-medication, anti-procedure, or anti-beauty. 𝗜’𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶-𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴.

As a triple board-certified Functional Medicine Nutritionist, published hair-loss researcher, and female hair thinning and alopecia specialist, my work is about helping women look beyond the surface and connect the dots between their hair and the rest of their health.

Because sometimes the better question isn’t:

What should I put on my hair?

It’s:

What may be happening in my body that deserves a closer look?

Before we chase another solution, let’s understand what your hair may be telling us.

Start with my free Hair Loss Assessment at JulieOlson.com

Does any of this sound familiar? 👇

If you’ve been struggling with weight management and hair loss at the same time, it can feel like your body is fighting against you. But here’s the truth: these symptoms rarely happen in isolation.

They are often interconnected signals from your body telling us something deeper is happening under the surface.

These underlying root causes can all trigger hair thinning, excess shedding, and stubborn weight retention:

💥 Hormonal & Metabolic Imbalances: PCOS, low thyroid, estrogen dominance, and elevated lipid levels.

⚡ Energy & Appetite Shifts: Sugar cravings, post-meal fatigue, constant hunger, or side effects from GLP-1 medications.

🩸 Systemic Indicators: Migrating aches, upper abdominal bloating, and increased fat storage.

When we stop just treating individual symptoms and start addressing the root cause hormones, metabolism, and nutrition your body can finally get back into balance.

💬 Which of these symptoms hits closest to home for you right now? Drop it in the comments below!

Notice extra hair in your brush after starting GLP-1s? You’re not alone! 💆♀️✨

While GLP-1 medications can be powerful tools for weight loss, rapid changes in your body can sometimes trigger noticeable hair shedding (telogen effluvium).
Here is why it happens and what’s actually going on behind the scenes:

⚡ Rapid Weight Loss: Losing weight quickly can signal a physical stressor to the body.

⚡ Stress & Hormones: Shifts in metabolic and hormonal balance affect hair growth cycles.

⚡ Nutritional Deficiencies: Reduced appetite often means reduced nutrient intake and your hair needs adequate protein, vitamins, and minerals to thrive!

The good news?

Nutrition matters. Supporting your body with functional nutrition strategies can help address nutrient gaps, balance your system, and nourish your hair from the inside out. 🌿

👉 Save this post for later, and drop a 💬 below if you have experienced this on your journey!

Most people take biotin for hair, skin, and nails…

But what if it’s not that simple?

This PubMed Central abstract by Julie Olson explores the real science behind biotin supplementation including when it may help, when it doesn’t, and the potential clinical risks often overlooked.

Before you add another supplement to your routine, it’s worth understanding what your body actually needs.

💬 Comment “BIOTIN” and I’ll send you the full breakdown

🔗 Or read more here: https://fortitudefunctionalnutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Slide1-scaled.png