Do statins cause hair loss?

Statins can contribute to hair loss, according to SpaceDoc.com. However, reports of hair loss among the population taking statins was only 1 percent, according to a Sept. 2011 Sun Sentinel article. This percentage has remained relatively constant since statins hit the market in 1987.

While causes of hair loss from statins is uncertain as of 2014, it is generally believed to relate to the role cholesterol plays in hair growth, notes SpaceDoc.com. Statins block enzymes in the liver that produce cholesterol, reports the Sun Sentinel. Among the population that does report hair loss from statins, it is possible that other health issues like thyroid problems or age-related hormone changes contribute.