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Thyroid Hair Loss: Why It Happens And How It Can Be Treated
Thyroid disorders can quietly affect multiple bodily functions, including normal thyroid hormone levels. One symptom of this imbalance is scalp hair loss. When you are aware of the signs of a thyroid disorder, you can get the right tests done and receive the right treatment for thyroid hair loss. The two main thyroid disorders are hyperthyroidism (excess secretion of thyroid hormones) and hypothyroidism (insufficient secretion of thyroid hormones). Each of these disorders comes with its own set of symptoms and requires different treatment approaches.
In this article, we will gain a better understanding of the causes of thyroid hair loss and treatment options. We will also focus on thyroid disorders that cause hair loss and what you can do to improve hair growth in such cases. Keep reading to learn about thyroid disorders and their management.
What is the thyroid?
In the front, lower portion of our necks, just above our collarbones, is a small butterfly-shaped gland. This is the thyroid gland. The gland might be small, but it serves some major functions in the body. The thyroid is an endocrine gland which releases two main hormones, thyroxine and triiodothyronine. These two hormones control functions such as cell activity, metabolism, heart function, digestion, temperature regulation, and more. As you can imagine, any disruption in these hormones can result in illness, and your hair is one of the places where this imbalance is most visible.
The connections between the thyroid and hair
As mentioned earlier, thyroid hormones regulate the cellular activity of the body, which is directly related to hair growth. Hair is produced in hair follicles and goes through a growth cycle. This hair growth cycle requires a steady supply of essential nutrients, oxygen, and energy for active cell division. Any unregulated thyroid hormone levels in the body can lead to thyroid hair loss or even changes in hair strength and texture.
Other thyroid functions also affect hair growth. One of the main functions of thyroid hormones is to control digestion and metabolism. The breakdown and absorption of the nutrients we eat are dependent on normal thyroid function. Hair needs the right nutrients to grow. As long as you are eating a balanced diet and your body is absorbing the nutrients correctly, you should have healthy hair growth.
If, however, thyroid function is affected and nutrition is not properly absorbed, this could lead to thyroid hair loss. Any increase or decrease in thyroid hormone levels can also affect other functions, which can stress out the body and lead to hair loss.
We will now look at the two main thyroid conditions - what they mean and how they affect hair growth.
What is hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism is the term used when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, more than the body needs. In this case, the gland is considered overreactive. Hyperthyroidism can be caused by autoimmune disease, growths on the thyroid gland, such as nodules or benign tumours, inflammation of the thyroid gland, excess iodine in the diet, and certain medications.
Cause of hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism can cause a person to experience severe and unhealthy weight loss even if they are eating normally. Other symptoms include an irregular, quickened heartbeat, nervousness, trembling in the limbs, anxiety, tiredness and fatigue, and increased sensitivity to heat, among others. People with hyperthyroidism also experience physical changes like swelling in the neck and bulges around the eyes.
How does hyperthyroidism affect the hair growth cycle?
The overdrive that is hyperthyroidism typically speeds up the hair growth cycle. So, hair moves quickly from the anagen (growth) stage to the catagen (resting) stage. The catagen stage then leads to the telogen and exogen stages, during which hair loss occurs. As around 90% of hair is in the anagen stage at a time, speeding up the cycle pushes more hair into the later stages, resulting in widespread hair thinning and loss.
However, this change does not take place overnight. It can sometimes take up to a few months for the effect of hyperthyroidism on hair fall to be noticed. There are, of course, treatments available for this type of hair loss. Keep reading to know more.
Hypothyroidism and hair loss
When the thyroid gland is under-reactive or does not produce enough thyroid hormones, it is called hypothyroidism. As you can probably tell, hypothyroidism has the opposite effect of hyperthyroidism. People with this condition start gaining weight; their heart rate and metabolism slow; they experience increased sensitivity to the cold; they experience muscle weakness; and there are changes in the thickness and texture of the hair.
Causes of hypothyroidism
One of the main causes of hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto's Thyroiditis that results in the body’s immune system attacking the thyroid gland. Cancer and other conditions that could require the removal of all or part of the thyroid gland will also cause hypothyroidism. An iodine deficiency is another cause of hypothyroidism. Other causes include medications, genetic conditions, and postpartum thyroiditis experienced by new mothers.
How does hypothyroidism affect the hair growth cycle?
As hypothyroidism affects both metabolism and cell regeneration, it directly affects the hair growth cycle. Prolonged hypothyroidism has been shown to result in hair remaining in the catagen stage for longer, delaying the hair growth cycle and re-entry into the anagen stage. Over time, this leads to hair loss across the entire scalp, with the thinning becoming very noticeable. While thyroid hair loss, along with all the other effects of hypothyroidism, can be very distressing for a patient, there are effective treatments that can resolve not only hypothyroidism but also hair loss.
Thyroid hair loss symptoms and diagnosis
Thyroid hair loss symptoms include:
- Hair fall
- Hair thinning across the whole scalp for both conditions, and
- Hair turning brittle in the case of hypothyroidism.
The diagnosis will, of course, include identifying the thyroid condition, for which specific tests are available. When you visit a doctor for hair loss, they will always ask for your medical history. As there can be several causes of hair loss, the doctor will first have to rule out any other possibilities before concluding. This will include checking for several other conditions and whether you have been diagnosed with a thyroid disorder before.
If you have not already had a thyroid diagnosis but show symptoms of the same, your doctor might ask you to undergo the necessary tests. The thyroid tests involve blood tests to check your thyroid hormone levels. These tests can also check for a hormone called thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which is produced by the pituitary gland. TSH is typically higher than usual in cases of hypothyroidism. An antibody test can also be done to check for autoimmune diseases. If required, your doctor might also recommend an ultrasound, CT scan or MRI of your thyroid gland to check for irregular growths in the area.
Thyroid hair loss in females
Women are more prone to autoimmune diseases and thyroid disorder than men. Hormones, especially estrogen, work closely with the thyroid hormone, specifically during lifestyle changes, like pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause. These hormonal fluctuations can cause a thyroid imbalance, which can further lead to hair loss in females.
Genetic predisposition also plays a key role in how your thyroid hormone levels are affected. Several immune-related genes are located on the X chromosome. Since women are born with two X chromosomes, the chances of immune-related irregularities are high.
Apart from irregular periods, infertility, energy and mood fluctuations, and weight changes, thyroid hair loss is a common symptom occurring in females.
Thyroid hair loss treatment
Thyroid hair loss treatment usually involves treatment of the underlying condition first. Once you have a thyroid diagnosis, your doctor will plan a course of action that includes medication, diet and lifestyle changes, and, in some cases, even emotional support. Other conditions cause both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Treating, curing, or controlling the primary diseases should resolve all other issues arising from a dysregulated thyroid, including thyroid hair fall.
However, in some cases of hypothyroidism, the doctor might also prescribe a thyroid hormone supplement, which will help maintain the right levels in the body. Other supplements, like iodine and vitamin supplements, can also help maintain normal thyroid hormone levels.
Besides treating the primary cause, this hair fall can also be treated on its own. This can be addressed by following thyroid hair-fall solutions, such as eating a protein-rich diet or taking Traya’s hair growth supplement to promote healthy hair regrowth. Your doctor might also refer you to a dermatologist who could prescribe topical treatments that encourage new hair growth. It is important to note that these treatments can take time, and results could take a few months to show.
Emotional support for thyroid hair fall
It might not be easy, but the best route is to be patient and consistent with the treatment. Giving your body time to heal and recover its normal functions is very important. You can also find a support group in your area or online which includes people who have had similar experiences to you. Hearing others’ stories, especially about their successful recoveries, can be very uplifting and motivating. Also, it could be a great way to make new friends with people who understand what you have gone through.
Losing hair can be a daunting experience. Losing hair as a side effect of an already difficult condition like hyperthyroidism can leave you physically and mentally drained. During this time, it is important to remember, and have people remind you, that with the right treatment, thyroid hair fall is completely reversible.
Thyroid hormones have many functions, and any disruption in their production can have widespread effects throughout the body. Hair is not considered vital to the body’s survival, which is why hair follicle cells don’t get special protection from conditions that affect the rest of the body, as the brain, heart and liver do. That is why hair loss is regularly seen as a side effect of many medical conditions.
Hair loss is more pronounced in hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism because these conditions directly affect cell regeneration, which is responsible for hair growth. The effects of thyroid hair loss usually become apparent a few months after the onset of the condition. Similarly, the treatments take a few months to show results, so it is good to be patient and give yourself enough time to recover. Listen to your doctor’s instructions, stay consistent, and ask for the help and support you need to help you get back to your best health and good hair growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How long will it take for my hair to grow back after thyroid hair loss?
Once you start receiving treatment for your thyroid condition, it will take 3 to 6 months to see an improvement in your hair growth. Please keep in mind that the new hair might be short and not as thick as before, but it will start to grow and get thicker over a few months.
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Can I prevent thyroid hair fall?
As thyroid hair fall is a side effect of your thyroid condition, it usually takes a while to be noticeable. By this time, you might already have a thyroid diagnosis and be getting treatment, which will eventually restore your hair growth. You can also talk to your doctor about what you can do to prevent further hair loss or help your hair grow back faster.
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Does thyroid treatment cause hair loss?
As hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism themselves cause hair loss, it has been difficult to determine if the treatments cause additional hair loss. However, there has been no evidence to show that the drugs used in thyroid treatment could cause loss of hair.
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Will my hair texture improve with thyroid treatment?
Yes. Hypothyroidism can cause hair to become brittle. Once the condition is treated and your thyroid levels return to normal, your hair texture will also improve. Additionally, you can talk to a dermatologist or dietitian about what diet to follow or supplements to take to improve the growth and texture of your hair.
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Does a thyroid hormone supplement cause hair fall?
No, it doesn’t. On the contrary, the thyroid hormone supplement helps to improve your thyroid hormone levels, which in turn allows your body to start functioning normally again. As you get better, you will also start to see an improvement in hair growth and reversal of hair loss caused by hypothyroidism.
