Doctor says grey hair at certain age could be a health deficiency (2025)

A simple check could help you figure out exactly what is causing the colour to fade from your hair - and there's a natural solution for it too.

Going grey is an inevitable part of life, but for some, it often occurs sooner than expected. If you're not quite ready to embrace the look, there's a question you should ask your doctor, especially if you are in your 20s and 30s. Dr Asif Ahmed (@dra_says) shared his experience of early greying on TikTok, discussing how he noticed grey strands in his hair and beard in his 30s.

The GP said that he conducted a quick test to determine if a deficiency in his body was causing these premature signs of ageing. He explained in the video that copper, a mineral the body needs, plays a significant role in maintaining our hair's natural colour.

The amount of copper in your system can affect the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for hair colour. If your copper levels are low, your hair may start to lighten and even turn grey, reports the Express.

Dr Ahmedwarned: "A copper deficiency is very rare, but for some reason, I'm seeing it more, and I don't know why. On the other hand, copper overload is something you definitely do not want to have, so please don't start taking supplements without getting your levels checked."

So, asking your doctor to check your copper levels could be a key step in understanding whether you're deficient in this vital nutrient. Besides influencing hair colour, copper also contributes to bone health, immune function, red blood cell production and nerve health.

Testing for your copper levels should be relatively quick. NHS labs primarily use blood and urine tests to get data on copper levels in the body.

The NHS website states that the average adult, aged between 19 to 64, requires approximately 1.2mg of copper daily. This can be obtained from a regular diet - good sources include nuts, shellfish and offal.

Dr Ahmed revealed that his copper levels were "borderline low", which led him to incorporate a supplement into his diet. However, this wasn't in the form of a typical pill. Instead, Dr Ahmed added a tablespoon of natural cacao powder to his daily meals.

He explained that this dosage provides "all the copper you need", along with additional protein and fibre. The powder can be consumed by adding it to yoghurt or making a hot beverage with it.

Besides promoting healthier hair, cacao powder is also lauded for its cardiovascular benefits and potential anti-inflammatory properties. It's also believed to enhance cognitive function, skin health and mood.

When are grey hairs considered 'early'?

There isn't a specific age at which grey hair is deemed to have appeared prematurely, as this varies greatly among individuals. According to WebMD, genetics and ethnicity play a significant role in determining how long we retain our natural hair colour.

The site claims: "Typically, white people start going grey in their mid-thirties, Asian people in their late thirties and black people in their mid-forties. Half of all people have a significant amount of grey hair by the time they turn 50."

The report goes on to explain that premature greying is seen as a problem if you spot silver strands in your hair during your twenties. For black individuals, going grey before the age of 30 is considered 'early'.