Dr Amir Khan’s Viral Advice on Women’s Hair Loss – What UK Women Should Really Ask

When a high-profile GP like ITV’s Dr Amir Khan talks about women’s hair loss on TikTok, people listen. His recent video, aimed at women with thinning hair – particularly those who are perimenopausal or experiencing heavy periods – struck a chord across the UK. Beyond the social media buzz, it also highlights something important: hair loss in women is common, frequently under-discussed, and often bound up with broader health questions that deserve proper medical attention.

While only your own GP or a qualified specialist can diagnose the cause of shedding or thinning, conversations like Dr Khan’s are prompting many women to ask more focused questions about their hair – and their health. This article unpacks the broader context around that TikTok, the key health checks many UK clinicians consider with female hair loss, and how to approach your GP appointment with clarity and confidence.

Why Dr Amir Khan’s TikTok on Women’s Hair Thinning Matters

Dr Amir Khan, an NHS GP well known from ITV’s daytime schedules, used TikTok to speak directly to women noticing hair thinning – particularly around perimenopause and in those with very heavy menstrual bleeding. The video reportedly suggested specific health questions to raise with your GP, essentially encouraging women not to dismiss hair loss as a purely cosmetic issue.

Although his advice was delivered in a short-form, social-first way, it touches on key ideas many UK clinicians recognise:

• Hair thinning can be an early visible sign that something in the body is changing or under strain.
• Hormonal shifts, including those of perimenopause, can alter hair growth cycles and density.
• Heavy periods may be linked with iron deficiency, which in turn may affect hair quality and shedding.
• Women often normalise these concerns or feel they’re being “vain” if they raise them in the consultation room.

By framing hair loss as a legitimate health concern – not just a beauty complaint – Dr Khan’s TikTok effectively gives women permission to ask for proper assessment. For many, the next practical step is preparing to speak to a GP in a way that is specific, structured, and rooted in both symptoms and lifestyle context.

Three Smart Questions to Ask Your GP About Hair Loss

Every woman’s situation is different, and only your healthcare professional can decide which tests or treatments are appropriate. However, many UK GPs and dermatologists suggest that asking targeted, open questions can make appointments far more productive. Based on current, widely discussed approaches to female hair loss, three pivotal lines of questioning often include:

1. “Could my hormones – including perimenopause – be affecting my hair?”

Perimenopause can begin years before your final period. During this time, fluctuating oestrogen and progesterone levels can influence the hair growth cycle, sometimes contributing to diffuse thinning, a widening parting or more hair in the brush and shower.

When you ask about hormones, it can be helpful to mention:

• Changes in your menstrual cycle (shorter, longer, heavier, lighter, less predictable).
• Any other symptoms: hot flushes, night sweats, mood shifts, sleep disturbance, vaginal dryness.
• Whether there is a family history of early menopause or hormone-related hair loss.

Many GPs will focus on your symptom pattern and medical history. In some cases they may discuss hormone testing, and – where appropriate – treatment options such as HRT or alternative approaches, always weighing up risks and benefits. The crucial thing is that your hair sits within a broader hormonal context, rather than being treated in isolation.

2. “Should I be checked for iron deficiency or other nutritional issues?”

Heavy periods, vegetarian or vegan diets, restrictive eating patterns and some medical conditions can all influence iron levels and other nutrients important for hair. While hair responds slowly, persistent deficiency can show up as increased shedding, finer strands or reduced regrowth.

When speaking to your GP, you might ask whether blood tests would be appropriate to check:

• Full blood count (FBC) – to screen for anaemia.
• Ferritin – often used as an indicator of iron stores.
• Thyroid function – as under- or overactive thyroid can affect hair.
• Vitamin B12 and sometimes vitamin D, depending on your risk factors.

Dermatologists frequently point out that iron deficiency doesn’t always show as severe anaemia first; ferritin can be low before that point. If your GP decides to arrange tests, they’ll interpret the results in the context of your overall health, medication and life stage.

3. “Do you think this is a form of female pattern hair loss – and what are my options?”

Not all hair thinning is directly linked to hormones like perimenopause or iron levels. A common diagnosis in women is androgenetic alopecia (female pattern hair loss) – a genetically influenced, progressive thinning that often shows as a wider parting, more scalp visibility, or reduced volume at the crown.

Asking explicitly about this possibility can help your GP decide whether a dermatology referral, trichology input or specific treatments are appropriate. You might want to ask:

• What type of hair loss pattern do you think I have?
• Is there any sign of scarring or inflammation on the scalp?
• Would a referral to a dermatologist or specialist hair clinic be helpful?
• Are there evidence-based treatments you would consider in my situation?

While individual treatments should only be considered under medical supervision, starting the conversation with clear, direct questions – much like those emphasised in Dr Khan’s TikTok – often leads to better-tailored support.

Preparing for Your GP Appointment: Practical Steps

Social media clips can make health advice feel immediate, but an actual GP discussion takes a little planning. To get the most out of a 10-minute appointment, many hair specialists and UK GPs recommend arriving prepared with observations, timelines and photos.

Before you sit down with your doctor, consider:

• Timeline: When did you first notice increased shedding or thinning? Did anything notable happen around that time – illness, major stress, childbirth, new medication?
• Pattern: Is the hair loss general, patchy, mostly at the front, or more obvious at the crown and parting?
• Photographs: Monthly photos taken in similar lighting can help your GP see changes that are difficult to judge on the spot.
• Scalp symptoms: Note any itching, burning, scaling or soreness – these details matter.
• Period history: Track how heavy your periods are, how often you’re changing sanitary products and how long bleeding lasts.
• Life-stage context: Perimenopausal symptoms, recent pregnancy, breastfeeding, contraception changes and weight shifts can all be relevant.

From a haircare perspective, it’s also worth sharing what you actually do to your hair: frequency of washing, colouring habits, tight hairstyles, use of extensions or wigs, and any recent chemical treatments. Many stylists in the UK find that this simple information can help differentiate between breakage from styling and shedding from the root, which are not the same thing.

Alongside your medical support, you can take a parallel, practical step today by gently reviewing your current routine – easing off excessively tight styles, harsh chemical processing and aggressive brushing while you wait for professional input.

Key Takeaways

• Dr Amir Khan’s TikTok spotlights women’s hair loss as a legitimate health concern, particularly in perimenopause and in those with heavy periods.
• Focused GP questions about hormones, iron status and potential female pattern hair loss can make consultations more productive.
• Blood tests, scalp examination and a clear timeline of symptoms often help clinicians understand what’s driving thinning or shedding.
• Practical preparation – photos, period tracking and noting scalp symptoms – can support a more thorough assessment.
• Alongside medical evaluation, gentler styling, reduced tension and mindful use of colour and heat can help protect the hair you have.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it normal for women to lose hair during perimenopause?

Many women notice some degree of shedding or reduced density during perimenopause, as hormone levels fluctuate. However, sudden or distressing hair loss is worth discussing with your GP to check for underlying causes.

How do I know if my hair loss is linked to heavy periods?

Heavy menstrual bleeding can contribute to iron deficiency, which in turn may affect hair. If you’re changing sanitary products very frequently, passing clots or feeling unusually tired, ask your GP whether iron and blood tests are appropriate.

Can good haircare alone stop medically driven hair loss?

Supportive haircare can reduce breakage and help hair look fuller, but it cannot by itself correct underlying issues such as iron deficiency, thyroid disease or hormonal changes. Those need medical assessment and, where required, treatment.

When should I ask for a dermatology or specialist referral?

If your GP is unsure of the diagnosis, suspects a scarring condition, or if your hair loss is progressing despite initial management, a referral to a dermatologist or specialist hair clinic may be considered. This is a decision to make together with your doctor.

What can I realistically do today while I wait for my GP appointment?

You can start tracking symptoms, taking clear photos, noting period patterns and gently reviewing your styling routine – avoiding very tight hairstyles, harsh chemical treatments and unnecessary heat where possible.