Telogen Effluvium: Specialist Care in Birmingham
Telogen effluvium is sudden, heavy hair shedding that starts a few months after a shock to the body, such as illness, stress, surgery or pregnancy.
Our doctor-led hair loss team in Birmingham finds the trigger behind your shedding and helps your hair get back to its normal growth cycle.
What is Telogen Effluvium?
It is a common type of hair loss where too many hairs move into the rest phase of their growth cycle at the same time. Normally, only a small share of your hairs rest at any one time, then fall out and grow back. However, a shock to the body can push far more hairs into this rest phase.
About 2 to 3 months later, those hairs fall out together, so you notice clumps in the shower, on your pillow or in your brush. The good news is that the hair roots are not damaged. Once you find and address the trigger, shedding usually settles, and hair grows back over the following months.
At House of Health, we find out what triggered your shedding so it doesn't keep coming back.
As Seen On
How Telogen Effluvium Unfolds Over Time
This type of shedding follows a clear pattern over time. Our team uses your history and AI scalp maps to work out exactly where you are:
The Trigger
A shock to the body, such as illness, surgery, childbirth or major stress, pushes many hairs into their rest phase.
Delayed Shedding (2 to 3 Months Later)
Hair starts to fall out in large amounts. Many people do not link it to the trigger because of the delay.
Recovery
Once the trigger is gone, shedding slows down, often within 3 to 6 months. Short new hairs appear along the hairline.
Chronic Shedding
In some people, shedding lasts longer than 6 months. This needs a closer look for an ongoing cause, such as low iron or a thyroid problem.
Signs: Sudden Shedding All Over the Scalp
This kind of shedding can feel alarming because so much hair falls out at once. However, the signs differ from other types of hair loss. Common signs include:
- Large amounts of hair in the shower, on your pillow or in your brush
- Thinner hair all over the scalp, rather than in one patch or area
- Hairs that come out with a small white bulb at the root
- A smaller ponytail, while your hairline and parting stay in the same place.
Round bald patches are a different condition called alopecia areata.
Common Triggers of Hair Shedding
Shedding usually has a trigger, but it often happens months before the shedding begins. In about 1 in 3 people, the British Association of Dermatologists finds no clear cause. Common triggers include:
Pregnancy and Childbirth
Postpartum hair loss usually starts 2 to 4 months after birth, as hormone levels fall back to normal.
Illness, Surgery or Fever
A high temperature, a serious infection or an operation can all trigger shedding.
Stress and Lack of Sleep
Major emotional stress can trigger it, and poor sleep adds to your body's strain. Read our guide on whether lack of sleep can cause hair loss.
Diet, Weight Loss and Medicines
Low iron, rapid weight loss, strict diets, thyroid problems and some medicines are common causes.
How We Find the Trigger in Birmingham
Our team confirms your shedding type and finds the trigger behind it. Here's how our hair loss team in Birmingham diagnoses it:
Specialist Consultation
You will have a thorough 45- to 60-minute talk about the last 6 months: illness, pregnancy, stress, diet, weight loss and new medicines.
Blood Tests
Our hair loss blood test panel checks your iron stores (ferritin), thyroid (TSH, T3 and T4), vitamin D, B12, folate, zinc, a full blood count (FBC) and hormones (FSH, LH, prolactin, testosterone and SHBG) to find any ongoing cause.
Trichoscopy and AI Scalp Analysis
A painless, magnified scan with AI scalp analysis shows new regrowth and rules out pattern hair loss underneath.
Hair Pull Test
A gentle tug on small groups of hairs shows how many come out easily, which helps confirm active shedding.
Telogen Effluvium Treatment Options
Find and Treat the Trigger
The first step in treating telogen effluvium is to deal with what caused it. If your blood tests show low iron, a thyroid problem or another gap, our doctors treat that first. If a medicine may be the cause, your doctor will talk through safe options with you. Once the trigger is gone, your hair cycle can return to normal.
Nutrition Support
Your hair roots need the right fuel to grow. So we correct low iron, vitamin D, B12 or protein found in your tests, and give clear advice on diet after illness, pregnancy or weight loss.
Scalp Support and Monitoring
While your body recovers, scalp care can support new growth. We track your progress closely, so you can see the change for yourself.
Progress Tracking: Repeat AI scalp maps show new hairs as they grow back.
Scalp Treatments: Where suitable, a treatment you apply to the scalp or PRP may support regrowth.
Chronic Shedding Review: If shedding lasts over 6 months, we look again for a hidden cause.
Meet Our Hair Loss Team
Dr Anita Raja
MBBS, MRCGP, DFSRH, Postgraduate Certificate in Trichology
GP and Trichologist, CEO of House of Health
Dr Anita Raja is a practising GP, a qualified Trichologist and the CEO of House of Health. She leads our medical investigations into hair loss, including the blood tests that find common triggers of shedding.
Highlights:
- 10+ years of medical experience.
- Clinical interests in postpartum shedding and weight-loss-related hair loss.
- Special interest in iron and ferritin levels and their link to hair loss.
Stephen James
Member of the Association of Trichologists
Consultant Trichologist, 20+ Years' Experience
Stephen James is a consultant trichologist with over 20 years of experience, including clinics on Harley Street, London.
Highlights:
- Member of the Association of Trichologists.
- Expert in trichoscopy and complex scalp conditions.
Dr Nadir Abbas
Founder, Dr Hair Loss
Qualified Trichologist (University of South Wales)
MBBS, BA (Hons), MRCP (Gastro), FEBGH, FRCPE, PhD
Dr Nadir Abbas is a physician and the founder of Dr Hair Loss, an internationally recognised hair restoration brand.
Highlights:
- 14+ years of medical experience.
- Leads the biology-first, doctor-led hair loss protocol.
Joanna Wolosz
PRP Practitioner
Joanna Wolosz is our PRP Practitioner, with 20 years of experience in aesthetics and injectables.
Highlights:
- Leads regenerative aftercare using a mesotherapy device.
Treating the Cause, Not Just the Shedding
Sudden shedding signals that something inside your body needs attention, so you need a team that looks beyond the scalp. Our doctor-led hair loss clinic in Birmingham finds the trigger, treats it and checks your recovery. This means you get blood tests, treatment and follow-up under one roof.
Book ConsultationWhy Choose Our Hair Loss Team for Telogen Effluvium?
Diagnostic Depth
Typical Quick-Check Service: A quick look at your hair, with no blood tests to find the trigger.
House of Health Hair Loss Team: A full history, blood tests, trichoscopy, AI scalp analysis and a hair pull test.
Treatment Range
Typical Quick-Check Service: General supplements or shampoos for everyone.
House of Health Hair Loss Team: Treatment of the exact trigger, with nutrition support and regular checks.
Experience
Typical Quick-Check Service: May not include a doctor-led assessment.
House of Health Hair Loss Team: A GP and Trichologist with an interest in postpartum shedding and iron levels, plus a Consultant Trichologist with 20+ years of experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases, yes. The hair roots aren't damaged, so hair usually grows back once you address the trigger. Shedding often slows within 3 to 6 months, and fuller hair returns over the following months. Results vary from person to person.
Most cases settle within 6 months. If shedding lasts longer, it is called chronic telogen effluvium, and we look for an ongoing cause such as low iron or a thyroid problem.
Yes. Postpartum hair loss is very common and usually starts 2 to 4 months after birth. However, if it lasts beyond a year or feels severe, it's worth checking your iron and thyroid levels.
No. This type of hair loss causes thinner hair all over, but it does not cause baldness. If your hair does not recover, there may be another type of hair loss underneath, such as pattern hair loss.
No. You can book directly with our hair loss clinic in Birmingham, with no GP referral needed.
Further Reading/Patient Resources
Hair loss clinic in Birmingham
British Association of Dermatologists: Telogen effluvium
NHS: Hair loss
Medically reviewed by Dr Anita Raja, GP and Trichologist. Last reviewed: October 2026
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