Thyroid And Hair Loss: Connection & The Treatment

Written by the UPGUYS Editorial Team

Published on March 31, 2023

If you suspect your hair loss might be due to thyroid problems, you’re probably looking for answers. Thyroid-related hair loss can come out of the blue and leave affected individuals stunned at the sudden unexpected change. The disbelief of realizing something is amiss coupled with a rapid change in appearance is unsettling, to say the least.

We put a lot of stock in our hair, so losing it can be a daunting prospect. Change is uncomfortable at the best of times when unasked for. Taking the time to understand the cause of what’s happening will stand you in good stead to tackle the issue head-on.

If you’re struggling with thyroid hair loss, know someone who is, or are wondering, ‘Can thyroid cause hair loss?’ We’ve put some info together for you. Read on to find out more!

What Does Thyroid Hair Loss Look Like?

Losing hair is perfectly normal in small amounts. Our hairs grow and die off in cycles naturally, up to 100 hairs every 24 hours.

If you’ve noticed hair coming out in clumps, this could well be one of the first signs of hyperthyroidism. The importance of the careful regulation of thyroid hormones has already been stated, but holding an unexpected handful of hair in your hand hits the point home neatly. If you suspect your thyroid to be the cause, other accompanying symptoms could confirm it.

Read more:What is an M-Shaped Hairline, and Can It Be Fixed?

A malfunctioning thyroid can cause hair loss. If you’re experiencing any of these in tandem with abnormal hair loss, you might be dealing with an overactive or underactive thyroid.

1. Tiredness
2. Constipation
3. Forgetfulness
4. Depression
5. Dry skin
6. Chills
7. Weight gain
8. Nervousness
9. Tremors
10. Poor sleep
11. Fine or brittle hair
12. Muscle weakness
13. Frequent bowel movements
14. Sweating
15. Irritation
16. Swelling around the eyes

If any of these sound familiar, you might want to share your symptoms with your family doctor to investigate further.

If you’re still unsure, comparing your hair loss to documented thyroid hair loss pictures online might help your diagnostic efforts.

Read more: 7 Benefits of Pumpkin Seed Oil for Hair

Thyroid and Hair Loss, What’s the Connection?

Hair follicles in your scalp are responsible for growing each hair. When the hormones T3 and T4 become disrupted, hair development at the root is hindered in their absence. This means affected hairs won’t be replaced after their natural cycle ends.

As you can imagine, if the cycle doesn’t complete and continue as normal, hair loss is inevitable. Without the proper hormones present to instruct your scalp to replace naturally lost hair, baldness is likely to follow.

As cycles progress without the necessary hormones for normal growth, your hair will begin to thin all over. This thinning will be most noticeable on your scalp, but other areas will also be affected. Have a look at your eyebrows. If they seem sparser than usual, it’s a good indication of a thyroid issue.

Read more: Solving the Mystery of Seborrheic Dermatitis Hair Loss: Natural Remedies and Clinical Treatments

How To Treat Thyroid-Related Hair Loss

Once the thyroid is pinpointed as the cause of your hair loss, preventative measures can be taken. Now you know for sure the root of the problem, it’s possible to mitigate the worst of the damage and begin to halt the process. Aiding the function of your thyroid is a great step in the right direction.

Medication for mild forms of hair loss and thyroid conditions is available. Your doctor will suggest different forms of medication depending on whether your thyroid is producing more or fewer hormones than it ought to be. These will help tip things back toward their normal balance and aid in optimal future production.

The process takes some time and will require careful monitoring of your hormone levels over several months. Your doctor will explain how the situation is progressing and prescribe medications as things develop. If medication is ineffective, the prospect of surgery might be suggested to partially or fully remove the problem gland in its entirety.

Read more: Rice Water for Hair: Benefits, Instructions & More

Potentially Effective Home Remedies

Hair loss caused by thyroid issues is serious and shouldn’t be thought of as something that doesn’t require professional medical advice to overcome. However, there are some lifestyle changes and home remedies that can help alongside following professional advice.

Much of the information found online underlines common sense, but don’t buy into predatory advice regarding hair loss solutions. This is a subject that has historically leveraged people’s insecurity for monetary gain, so keep your wits about yourself!

Following a healthy diet aids the body in every aspect of its function. Making sure the foods you prepare are of high quality will set a firm foundation for the healing process. This means avoiding processed foods high in sugar, salt, and saturated fats.

Oily fish containing omega-3 fatty acids are considered effective in preventing dry scalp problems while regrowing hair. Searching out foods rich in biotin prevents its deficiency which is a direct cause of dry and brittle hair. Avoid the use of perfumed shampoos, especially products that contain alcohol.

If your goal is to slow down hair loss, it’s a good idea to let your scalp rest instead of continuing to strip it of natural oils and flora. Unfortunately, the majority of shampoos are far harsher on our scalps than we give them credit for. Natural alternatives like rice water or herbal tea solutions will do the job just fine.

Supplementing For Thyroid Hair Loss

Our hair requires a surprising amount of different bits and pieces to grow as desired. A full head of luscious, thick hair is a marker of health for a reason. It indicates a healthy, stress-free individual capable of securing high-quality nutrition.

Fortunately, many of the key building blocks for healthy hair follicles are easily found in supplements and don’t break the bank to buy. Keratin is the protein that makes up our skin, nails, and hair. Adding a keratin supplement to your diet helps to ensure you’re not deficient and shores up a lacking diet.

Iron also plays a key role in healthy hair growth and is available in many common multivitamins. Without enough iron, your body will be unable to produce the hemoglobin required to deliver sufficient oxygen to your scalp and hair follicles. Remember, supplementation is not an alternative to a healthy diet, just a helping hand.

Seeking Professional Medical Advice

Always consult a trusted medical practitioner before following online advice to avoid potentially exacerbating the problem. Hair loss is increasingly common in a world ravaged by pollution and chemicals we don’t fully understand. Stress is also a factor worth considering, which is also on the rise in these uncertain times.

Seeking professional advice will allow for tests to discover the cause of your hair loss without a doubt. This is the first step towards combating the issues you’re facing and also the most effective. It’s all too easy to work ourselves into a flurry of manic hypochondria while reading Google results for our ailments.

Rather than worrying about the myriad potential causes of your condition, take the time to ask a professional in person about hair loss due to thyroid issues and what to do about it. Healthcare professionals have seen and heard it all before and will calmly explain your position and how best to proceed. At the very least, you’ll benefit from the peace of mind that comes from professional knowledge and experience.

Look After Yourself

Whatever you’re going through, it’s important to take the time to do what’s best for your health. It might be tempting to simply ignore what could be a serious thyroid issue in favour of merely ordering a popular hair loss treatment online. Sweeping health issues under the rug will undoubtedly come back to bite you in the long run. You have more to lose than your hair!

If this article has helped you to better understand some of the intricacies involving thyroid hair loss, why not check out the rest of the blog? There’s a lot more where this came from!