Does Thyroid Cause Hair Loss?
Does Thyroid Cause Hair Loss?
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.
Although there are other side effects from thyroid disease, such as severe weight fluctuation, fatigue, trouble concentrating and trouble sleeping, for many the hair loss is the most disconcerting. The good news is that treatments are available for the hair loss. The priority is to correct the problem with the thyroid. Blood tests can determine if the thyroid is producing too many or too few hormones, and medication can be prescribed to help bring the hormones into balance.
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.
Even though the symptoms can be uncomfortable as well as unpleasant, most thyroid problems are not serious if they are properly diagnosed and treated. If a man has a family history of thyroid problems, notices any symptoms, or is getting up in years (thyroid problems are more common as people age), he should have his thyroid gland tested. The good news is, like high cholesterol, doctors can conduct a simple blood test to check the health of your thyroid and many thyroid problems are easily treatable.
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.
Thyroid disease is not something that should be taken lightly. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms should be seen by a doctor. The most common symptoms are hair loss; rapid, unexplained weight gain or loss; fatigue; constipation; and, for women, irregular menstrual cycles. Thyroid issues are treatable, but if left untreated can get worse and cause other problems. It is more than just handfuls of hair in the shower. It is an improperly functioning thyroid and needs to be treated.
