Hair loss is a fairly common problem. In recent years, more than 50% of people of both sexes and different ages have encountered it. Most try to solve the problem with cosmetics, using expensive shampoos, balms, and masks from advertising. But this symptom usually comes from the inside and can be caused by thyroid disease, so it is essential to consult a doctor.
Thyroid Function and Hair Growth
The thyroid gland affects the work of various systems and organs in the human body. To assess the picture, consider the natural hair life cycle.
Thus, hair begins to grow from the follicle found in the first and second layers of your scalp skin. The blood vessels nourish the root, creating more cells that make the hair longer. As hair grows, it breaks through the skin and the sebum. And if there are enough nutrients, the hair looks gorgeous. But sooner or later, the hair either breaks off or the follicle dies due to a lack of nutrition. The cycles of active growth and catagen (the stage during which the vital activity of the hair follicle gradually ceases) are constantly changing.
But when the function of the thyroid gland is disturbed, the well-adjusted process goes astray. Most often, the hair follicle receives less nutrition, or the sebaceous glands begin to work with excessive activity. As a result, the hair looks greasy, becomes thinner, and falls out.
Understanding Hair Loss
The process of excessive hair loss is medically known as alopecia. It is divided into several varieties:
- Total. Hair loss on the scalp, eyelashes, and eyebrows;
- Diffuse. Thinning and partial hair loss throughout the body;
- Focal. Complete loss of hair in a specific area of the body.
If you find a few hairs on your comb, don’t worry. The reason is not always worth your nerve and is related to the thyroid gland. This may be due to some foods, smoking, drinking alcohol, poisoning, iron deficiency anemia, stress, vitamin deficiencies, etc.
As for baldness caused by a thyroid condition, it has characteristic features. Hair doesn’t just fall out. There is usually thinning and loss of hair volume. It is essential to start treatment already at this stage to prevent further development of thyroid disorder.
What is Thyroid Gland?
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland under the larynx that produces specific hormones. Their role in the human body is difficult to overestimate. Here are just a few effects that thyroid hormones have:
- Affect the physical and mental development of a person;
- Stimulate prolactin secretion;
- Control heat generation in the body, the rate of oxygen absorption by tissues, and the respiratory center;
- Influence metabolic processes in tissues and organs;
- Affect sexual development, menstrual function, and ovulation;
- Participate in the regulation of water-salt balance;
- Stimulate the gastrointestinal tract motility;
- Responsible for the normal functioning of the immune system;
- Stimulate the formation of erythropoietin, thereby increasing erythropoiesis, etc.
This allows us to conclude that a malfunctioning thyroid gland can lead to the disruption of many natural processes in the human body and cause not only hair loss but also other symptoms, including increased anxiety, memory problems, fatigue, overweight, decreased libido, heart palpitations, hypertension, high cholesterol, etc.
How Hypothyroidism Causes Hair Loss
Hypothyroidism is the most widespread endocrine pathology after type 2 diabetes. According to American Thyroid Association, the total prevalence of this disease is up to 2%. Let’s learn a bit more about it.
What is Hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is a clinical syndrome caused by a persistent deficiency of thyroid hormones (thyroxine and triiodothyronine). It usually develops slowly and insensibly. Clinical manifestations can imitate various non-thyroid disorders, so it is not always possible to timely diagnose this disease.
Symptoms
Patients with hypothyroidism may experience fatigue, apathy, memory impairment, decreased performance, drowsiness, dry skin, edema, paresthesia, and constipation. In addition, a decrease in the concentration of thyroxine and triiodothyronine in the blood causes many hair follicles to go into the resting phase, thus resulting in hair loss. Hair usually falls out all over the head and not in certain areas.
How Hyperthyroidism Causes Hair Loss
Hyperthyroidism is another common thyroid condition that can cause baldness and many other unpleasant symptoms. That is why the issue of hair loss and overactive thyroid treatment is very relevant.
What is Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid) is a condition in which the thyroid produces excess hormones, speeding up the body’s metabolic processes. The disease most often develops in young women and people who have relatives with hyperthyroidism.
Symptoms
Hyperthyroidism symptoms include:
- Rapid weight loss;
- Fast heartbeat (tachycardia);
- Increased appetite;
- Nervousness, restlessness, and irritability;
- Tremor;
- Increased sweating;
- Menstrual irregularity;
- Hypersensitivity to heat;
- Change in stool regularity, mainly an increase in stool frequency;
- Enlargement of the thyroid gland, which manifests as swelling at the base of the neck;
- Muscle weakness, fatigue;
- Insomnia;
- Brittle hair.
Hyperthyroidism is usually accompanied by alopecia areata. The hair first becomes thinner and softer, loses its shine, and then begins to fall out.
Diagnosing Thyroid-Related Hair Loss
To diagnose thyroid-related hair loss, it is recommended to take a blood test for TSH. It is the primary hormone that determines the functioning of the thyroid gland. If deviations in the level of TSH are detected, additional tests will most likely be required to determine the tactics of hair loss and enlarged thyroid treatment (free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine, antibodies, lead hair test, etc.).
Treatment Options
The treatment for hair loss and thyroid disease should be prescribed by a specialist. Otherwise, you are unlikely to get positive results. Try discussing the problem in detail with your doctor. If you have hair loss after thyroid cancer, please report it. You should also indicate if you started losing hair after thyroid surgery. This is very important for the specialist to know in order to determine the most appropriate treatment tactic.
Medications for Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism
Hypothyroidism therapy usually involves the use of drugs containing thyroid hormones. Levothyroxine is most often prescribed. It is a prohormone. The therapeutic effect is due to its conversion to triiodothyronine in peripheral tissues. The effect of the drug begins within 2-3 days of treatment.
People who experience hair loss after hyperthyroidism may use antithyroid drugs (for example, Tyrozole, Mercazolil) and radioactive iodine to suppress thyroid hormone production. Sometimes surgery is needed to completely or partially remove the thyroid gland.
Medical Treatments for Hair Loss
Hair loss requires long-term systemic therapy. The main goal of drug intake is to eliminate the root cause and normalize metabolic processes in the scalp. It includes medications aimed to normalize the thyroid gland hormone levels, drugs for improving blood microcirculation, vitamin and mineral complexes, sedatives (if there are stress and emotional problems), and immunomodulators (to suppress immune factors that cause hair loss).
In addition to traditional medical treatment, you can use mesotherapy and ozone therapy. These help improve blood circulation, restore hair growth, and improve the general condition of the skin.
Summary
The thyroid gland affects various systems and organs of the body. Impaired hair growth and thyroid disorder have an obvious connection. Excessive hair loss is the first signal that the hormonal background needs medical attention. You should not ignore this but see a doctor and solve the problem. The specialist will prescribe treatment specific to your case, even if you have hair loss after thyroid removal.
FAQ
What does thyroid hair loss look like?
Thyroid problems cause deterioration in the hair condition. In addition to alopecia, a person notices that the hair becomes thin, dry, and brittle.
Does hair grow back when your thyroid levels out?
Hair usually grows back after successful treatment of thyroid disease.
What are the symptoms of thyroid problems in female hair loss?
Women with hair loss and other symptoms such as sudden weight gain or loss, increased fatigue, depression, cold feet, poor reflexes, and dry skin should have their thyroid checked. These symptoms indicate the presence of thyroid problems.
How do you treat thyroid hair loss?
You can use drugs aimed at normalizing the hormonal background, as well as improving blood microcirculation. Vitamin and mineral complexes (for example, Biotin) are also very useful in such a case.
Can hair loss from thyroid problems be reversed?
Hair loss caused by thyroid problems can be reversed. But the main thing is to consult a doctor as soon as possible and prevent a significant disease progression.
