Does Thyroid Cause Hair Loss?

By Arnold D. Orourke


Thyroid diseases like hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism both can be associated with losing hair. It is because it makes the hair follicles weak in holding the hair. To give you a clearer picture, let's first explain what these thyroidal diseases are and how they develop.

The thyroid gland, of course, secretes thyroxin, which helps regulate the body's metabolism. Any major changes in metabolism can bring on abnormalities - hair loss included. Thyroid malfunctions can essentially lead to hair follicles remaining shut down, resulting in hair loss.

The good news for most people is that this hair loss will slow down and probably even stop totally with the correct treatment of the thyroid problem - be it treatment for an overactive or an underactive thyroid. Once you have had your hormone levels stabilised and restored to within the acceptable range, you should notice an improvement, although this might take a few months to become significant.

Both an overactive thyroid and an under-active thyroid can cause hair loss. Patients with an overactive thyroid gland, or hyperthyroidism, may also be symptomatic and require treatment to lower their thyroid hormone levels. Signs and symptoms of thyroid problems can be a result of either an overactive thyroid leading to too much hormone being produced causing symptoms of hyperthyroidism or an under active thyroid leading to symptoms of hypothyroidism. An imbalance in the level of these hormones (which may be brought by under-active or overactive thyroid glands)- may sometimes lead to hair thinning and hair loss. But, an overactive or under-active thyroid is not linked with a higher risk for other heart problems or an increased risk of death, researchers report.

Hypothyroidism should be suspected when you are experiencing some of the following symptoms: fatigue, muscle weakness, weight gain , appetite loss, hair loss, coarse, dry hair, dry/rough skin, recurrent infections, abnormal menses, inability to tolerate cold, decreased sex drive, depression, memory loss, muscle cramps, drooping and/or swollen eyes.

It would be very unusual for rapid hair loss to continue after treatment, although it is possible. For example, if you are suffering from male pattern hair loss - which some women can also experience - and the loss is mainly confined to the temple and very top of the head, this is almost certainly because the testosterone in these places is being changed into dihydrotestosterone by enzyme action. This will cause the loss of hair follicles. In the thyroid treatments administered to some people, this conversion process could actually be speeded up. If this does happen, then a consultation with your specialist should be able to resolve the problem.In a similar manner, if you are taking medication for hypothyroidism some of the prescribed medicines - levothyroxine, for example, - have hair loss as a stated possible side effect. Again, it should be possible to change the medication to something more suitable.

There are also alternatives that you can perform while trying to cure the hair loss. You can use essential oils in order to grow the hair back. Aloe vera and other herbs can help in preventing more hairs from losing. What you need to do is have something that will bring back the health of the hair follicles so that they will grow back and become more stronger than before.




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