Can Thyroid Cause Hair Loss? Understanding the Link
Abnormal levels of hormones are often related to hair loss.
And this imbalance in the hormones could be caused by a number of factors.
One such condition that causes hormonal imbalance is Thyroid dysfunction.
The American Thyroid Association estimates that over 12% of the population of the USA will develop some form of Thyroid condition in their lifetime.
But, can Thyroid cause hair loss?
We will find out in this article.
How are they related
There is a well-established relationship between Thyroid and hair loss.
Thyroid hormones play a crucial role in regulating the hair growth cycle.
When the Thyroid gland produces excessive or inadequate Thyroid hormone, it can affect the hair growth pattern.
This includes hair thinning and hair loss.
Research has shown that HypoThyroidism (underactive Thyroid) can cause coarser, drier, and more brittle hair and hair loss.
In addition, HyperThyroidism (overactive Thyroid) also leads to hair loss.
Research has shown that people with HyperThyroidism experienced more hair thinning than people who did not suffer from any Thyroid dysfunction.
How Thyroid causes hair loss
Your Thyroid gland is placed in the throat.
It makes hormones that the hair follicles and other cells in your body need to work normally.
Your Thyroid could be dysfunctional for a variety of reasons.
The most common cause is autoimmune diseases, which occur when your immune system attacks the Thyroid gland.
Autoimmune diseases can cause inflammation in the body.
This can lead to nutrient deficiencies, including those which are essential for Thyroid health.
T3 and T4 are types of Thyroid hormones.
An inadequate or abnormally high amount of these hormones could indicate thyroid disease.
Thyroid hormones are responsible for regulating bodily processes, including hair growth.
To learn why, knowing the hair growth cycle is important. It includes:
- Growth phase, in which the hair grows actively
- Transition phase, in which the hair doesn’t grow
- Shedding phase, in which the hair prepares to shed and fall out
An imbalance in the Thyroid hormones causes too much hair to stay in the shedding phase or resting and not enough in the growth phase.
The result can be more hair loss, thinner hair, or even baldness.
Symptoms
Abnormal levels of Thyroid hormones usually cause noticeable symptoms.
Since the Thyroid hormones regulate the speed of your metabolism, too much or too little of the hormone can make it faster or slower, respectively.
These imbalances can lead to certain symptoms like:
- Unexplained weight gain/loss
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Dry or moist skin
- Mood swings and sleep trouble
- Slow or fast heart rate
- Intolerance to heat or cold
- Trouble concentrating
If you experience these symptoms, consult your healthcare provider.
They will run some simple blood tests to check if your Thyroid hormones are out of check.
Treatment
Mild Thyroid conditions do not typically cause hair thinning.
And in cases where it leads to hair loss, it is possible to regrow the hair by treating the underlying condition.
Hence, working with your doctor to keep your hormone levels under check might help make your hair thicker and regenerate hair growth.
For this, Thyroid or Anti-Thyroid medication prescribed by your doctor would be the mainstay treatment.
In addition, nutrients such as Iodine, Selenium, Iron, Zinc, and Vitamin D are particularly important for Thyroid health.
Certain nutritional supplements, such as Biotin, vitamin D, and iron, may help to promote healthy hair growth.
However, your doctor may prescribe topical Minoxidil if you have excessive hair shedding.
It may be applied topically to the scalp to promote hair growth.
Though FDA-approved for Pattern Baldness, Minoxidil can also be used to treat other types of hair loss.
Takeaway
An imbalance in the Thyroid hormones can lead to hair shedding, thinning, or even hair loss.
One can experience hair loss in case of both under or over-production of these hormones.
In mild cases, it can be controlled by simply regulating the body’s hormone levels, which can be done by taking Thyroid medications.
However, in some cases, doctors might prescribe Minoxidil to help regrow hair to its original thickness.
Consult your doctor for the best advice on the treatment plan most suitable for your condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Thyroid patients regrow hair?
Yes, Thyroid patients can regrow hair. Treating the underlying Thyroid condition with medication and addressing any nutritional deficiencies can help promote hair regrowth. Topical treatments like Minoxidil and lifestyle changes may also help promote hair growth.
How long does Thyroid hair loss last?
The duration of hair loss due to Thyroid dysfunction can vary. Hair loss may be temporary and improve with treatment of the underlying Thyroid condition. However, doctors might prescribe Minoxidil to aid the hair growth process in some conditions.
What does hypoThyroidism hair loss look like?
Hair loss due to HypoThyroidism appears as diffuse hair thinning loss all over the scalp. The hair may become brittle, dry, coarse, and break easily. It may also be difficult to style or manage, and the loss may be more noticeable at the crown or near the hairline.
What are the early warning signs of Thyroid problems?
Early warning signs of Thyroid problems may include fatigue, weight changes, changes in heart rate, sensitivity to cold or heat, dry skin or hair, constipation, muscle weakness, and mood changes. Consult your healthcare provider if you notice any of these signs.
Can hair loss due to Thyroid dysfunction be reversed?
Yes, hair loss due to Thyroid dysfunction can often be reversed with appropriate treatment of the Thyroid condition. This includes medication to regulate Thyroid hormone levels and address any nutritional deficiencies contributing to hair loss. Doctors might prescribe Minoxidil to aid the hair growth process in some conditions.
