Thyroid Hair Loss

When the essential hormones get out of whack, you may suddenly start losing excessive amounts of hair. If you have been experiencing inexplicable hair loss recently then you must consider getting a thyroid test done. Some women don’t even know that they are suffering from a thyroid disease, which could be the reason for the strange change in their quality of hair. Hair loss is a common symptom of the thyroid disease, but the good news is – this problem is curable as long as you get the required treatment.

What is Thyroid?

There is a butterfly-shaped gland situated at the base of your throat. It is responsible for regulating the metabolism of your body and maintaining other body functions. It produces hormones – thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) which control the energy level and temperature of the body. According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, approx. 27 million people with thyroid disorders have hypothyroidism.

When the thyroid becomes under active and doesn’t produce enough hormones to properly regulate the body functions, this condition is considered as hypothyroidism. Some women may feel the changes immediately, while other might not realize that they have developed an under active thyroid. Besides hair turning dry and brittle, some of the other symptoms you must look for to decide whether or not you should get a thyroid test done are:

• Thinning of eyebrows
• Neck becoming swollen
• Depression and anxiety
• Intolerance to cold and hot temperatures
• Changes in weight
• Thyroid history in family
• Abnormal menstruation
• Sudden mood changes
• Cognitive impairment
• Forgetfulness and lack of attention
• Constipation
• Skin dryness
• Insomnia or sleeping too much

Diagnosis of Thyroid Disease:

According to the Mayo Clinic, hypothyroidism may occur to anyone including teenagers and children; however it’s mostly seen in middle-aged and older women. Hence, it is advised that older and pregnant women should undergo annual screening to diagnose thyroid disease. If you have been experiencing hair loss, dry and brittle hair that breaks easily, in addition to the other symptoms of hypothyroidism mentioned above, consider getting a blood test done to measure the hormone levels. This test will evaluate your TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) levels. Presence of too much of TSH implies that your thyroid isn’t functioning properly.

Treating Thyroid Disease and Hair Loss:

Although there’s no permanent cure for hypothyroidism, you can restore your metabolism and maintain normal hormone levels by taking the required treatment. Levothyroxine is a synthetic hormone which works like a substitute for what your thyroid fails to produce naturally. Consult your doctor to determine the correct dosage based on your test report, weight and age. It is essential to get the right dosage because too little or too much can further disturb the hormone levels inside the body.

When you are diagnosed with a thyroid disease, avoid certain foods such as iron, calcium, soy, and antacids, which are known to hinder the pill absorption. With effective thyroid treatment, you will be able to prevent hair loss, and get back what you’ve lost!