More often than not, a diseased thyroid and hair loss go hand in hand. In fact, a lot of times problems with the thyroid are discovered due to the patient's concern about losing hair. There have been patients who have actually credited their hair dressers with helping them discover their thyroid problems by noticing extreme hair loss. While it is normal to lose a small amount of hair every day, a diseased thyroid causes hair to fall out in excessive amounts. The hair loss is caused by the hormonal imbalance that comes from the improperly functioning thyroid. The hair follicles shut down in order for the body to address the perceived threat from the hormones, and the hair falls out.
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.
Thyroid problems are among the most common medical conditions but, because their symptoms often appear gradually, they are commonly misdiagnosed. So much evidence suggests that thyroid problems are due to an allergic or environmental cause that it seems sensible to remove those substances known to affect the thyroid to see if this corrects the condition before taking any medication.
Many patients experiencing hair loss are comforted to know that it is not permanent. When the thyroid returns to proper functioning, the hair follicles stop releasing hair. New hair grows in, and over time, the patient finds their hair restored. It does not happen over night, but it does happen.
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.
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.
Thyroid problems are among the most common medical conditions but, because their symptoms often appear gradually, they are commonly misdiagnosed. So much evidence suggests that thyroid problems are due to an allergic or environmental cause that it seems sensible to remove those substances known to affect the thyroid to see if this corrects the condition before taking any medication.
Many patients experiencing hair loss are comforted to know that it is not permanent. When the thyroid returns to proper functioning, the hair follicles stop releasing hair. New hair grows in, and over time, the patient finds their hair restored. It does not happen over night, but it does happen.
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.
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