Thyroid and Hair Loss

It has often been said that rapid hair loss is one of the early indications that a person might be suffering from a thyroid problem. Because hair cells are amongst the body’s fastest growing cells, when the body has a problem, it can ‘shut down’ the hair cells to redirect that energy to other parts. Therefore, thinning hair or even, in many instances, hair coming out in handfuls in the shower, could well indicate a health problem.

Of course, a thyroid illness is not the only reason for sudden hair loss; infection, major changes in diet, hormonal changes – even stress, can all bring this on. However, if you do suddenly start losing hair at an abnormal rate, then you should take rapid action to investigate the cause, as it could turn out to be something quite significant.
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.

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.

It is also worth considering examining alternative treatments to help nourish and replenish the hair during the thyroid treatment. For example, many experts recommend the use of Evening Primrose Oil for those suffering from excessive conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. This acts as an inhibitor to the conversion process. Additionally, it is acknowledged that iron is a significant element in the metabolic process and many people suffering hair loss are iron deficient. The amino acid Lysine helps transport iron and can be found in fish, eggs and meat; eating these, therefore, could be of assistance. Similarly, other natural methods of helping counter the hair loss problems include Vitamin B6, Zinc and Green Tea amongst others.

For many, hair loss is one of the most disconcerting – even perhaps frightening – aspects of suffering from thyroid problems but, in the vast majority of instances, it is not a problem that cannot be surmounted.

Andrew Long writes for a series of websites about Thyroid and health related issues. A main area of discussion and content covers many thyroid news articles including those about
Symptoms Of Thyroid Problems and Thyroid Disease