Hair Loss Due to Kidney Failure

When kidneys fail, there's a wide variety of negative effects on the body's systems. In addition to impacting the removal of wastes from the body and causing fluid imbalances, hair loss can occur.

Background

• Proteins are the building blocks for muscles, bones, nails and hair. Protein is necessary for these body parts to remain strong and healthy. Occasionally, the body will produce abnormal proteins that settle into body tissues. These abnormal proteins form small deposits, ultimately causing amyloidosis disease.

Effects

• Amyloidosis disease affects the normal amounts and structure of the proteins in the body. As a result, hair can no longer maintain its health, ultimately resulting in hair loss. There are two main types of amyloidosis related to kidney disease: primary and dialysis-related.

Primary Amyloidosis

• Primary amyloidosis occurs when the body's cells do not function properly, resulting in abnormal protein fibers. These abnormal proteins form deposits in the kidneys, where they cause serious damage. The kidneys are no longer able to function properly, so the body is unable to remove wastes effectively.

Dialysis-Related Amyloidosis

• Dialysis-related amyloidosis occurs in patient receiving hemodialysis. During dialysis, a certain type of protein builds up in the blood. As a result, molecules join together and form large amyloid deposits. The normal protein supply in the body is hindered, resulting in hair loss.

Considerations

• Although hair loss is occasionally related to kidney disease, it is very rare. Hair loss from kidney disease typically occurs only during advanced cases of kidney failure.