How can thinning hair be linked to an issue with my liver?

I'm 42 and my hair has become really thin over the last year. I went to my GP, who arranged blood tests, and these showed I have some antibodies in my blood that could damage my liver, though all the other tests were normal. I’m shocked by this, as other than my hair issue, I'm really well, and I wasn’t aware this test was being even being done. My appointment at the liver clinic isn’t for three months, and I'm really worried. I have a healthy lifestyle, but should I stop drinking alcohol?

- DR ROSEMARY LEONARD

Our immune system produces antibodies which are important in fighting infections but, unfortunately, it can also produce antibodies that attack healthy tissues - “auto-antibodies”.

There are lots of different types and an auto-antibody screen, which checks for several of these, is often done for unexplained symptoms such as hair loss.