Thyroid Hair Loss

Did you know hair loss can be caused by a medical problem? Thyroid hair loss is one such problem. People often assume that hair loss is hereditary

or is just a sign of getting older and that there is nothing that can be done about it, and sometimes that may be true, but other times it can be a sign of a serious medical condition, such as thyroid and hair loss.

Any time you begin to have unusual hair loss, you should see a doctor to make sure it is not caused by a medical problem. Hair loss can be a symptom of many medical conditions, including thyroid disorders, kidney and liver disease, lupus, and some forms of cancer. Chances are hair loss is hereditary and just a matter of aging, but it’s best to make sure, especially if you are younger.

Thyroid and Hair Loss

Thyroid hair loss is a symptom of both hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) and hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). It is a general thinning of hair all over the head. It is different than male pattern baldness because there is not the characteristic bald patch on the top if the head or the receding hairline at the forehead.

If you have a thyroid disorder, you will probably have other symptoms along with hair loss. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include fatigue, insomnia, nervousness, shortness of breath, trembling hands, and weight loss. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include constipation, depression, fatigue, muscle cramps, weakness, and weight gain. Thinning hair is a symptom of both conditions.

If you have symptoms of a disorder of the thyroid and hair loss, we hope you have already seen a doctor. If not, please see one as soon as possible. The thyroid gland helps regulate your metabolism and helps other glands in your body function, so it’s important that it function properly.

Thyroid hair loss is diagnosed by a simple blood test. There are a couple of hormones that are measured, including T4 and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). If these hormones are too high, you have hyperthyroidism. If they are too low, you have hypothyroidism.

Treating Thyroid Hair Loss

Treating the underlying thyroid disorder should help the hair loss. The appropriate treatment depends on whether you have hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.

Overactive thyroid and hair loss can be treated in a couple of ways. It can be treated with radioactive iodine, which is taken by mouth. This is absorbed by the thyroid and causes it to shrink. This may result in hypothyroidism, which must then be treated. Surgery can also be done, to remove part of the thyroid gland. This can also result in hypothyroidism, which will have to be treated. There is some medication that may be effective in treating the thyroid gland without causing permanent damage to it, but it does not always work and is not a permanent solution.

An underactive thyroid and hair loss is fairly simple to treat. A daily pill is given. This may need to be taken for life. It is simpler to treat hypothyroidism thyroid hair loss than hyperthyroidism.

Hair regrowth may be slow, as your thyroid hormones begin to return to normal. If you like, you can use a hair loss treatment to speed the regrowth process.

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