Hair Loss and Thyroid Disorders

Your hair is a reflection of your overall health, and when the body is experiencing problems, the growth of hair can often slow down or stop altogether, allowing energy to be redirected to where it is needed most.

Hair loss from a temporary condition called Telogen Effluvium can be a common side effect of thyroid disorders but it can also be indicative of other issues.

What is thyroid disorder?

There are two main types of thyroid disorder:

1) Hypothyroidism (where the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough Thyroxine, the thyroid hormone responsible for regulating metabolism) is also known as underactive thyroid and symptoms can include dull lifeless hair, hair loss, tiredness, constipation and weight gain. The condition is normally treated by taking daily medication to boost your thyroid hormone levels.

2) Hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid, is where your thyroid is producing too much Thyroxine. Because this hormone is responsible for keeping your metabolism functioning correctly, those suffering from hyperthyroidism may notice unusual weight loss and tiredness as well as thinning hair and patchy hair loss.

Protect your hair

Eating a healthy, varied diet and looking after your hair is vital when you notice signs of hair loss avoiding harsh chemicals, such as bleach  and perming solutions, and using a wide-toothed comb or specialist detangling brush such as a Tangle Teezer, can be beneficial. It is also a good idea to avoid hair supplements which contain kelp or iodine, as these could interfere with thyroid medication and prevent the absorption of levothyroxine, the main ingredient in medication for thyroid disorders.

Getting diagnosed and treating hair loss

Hair loss could be due to any number of factors, from extreme stress to iron deficiency, or even post-pregnancy hair loss. However, if you are experiencing other symptoms of a thyroid disorder besides diffusely thinning hair, ask your GP for a blood test and then consult a hair specialist to discuss your options for growing back your hair.

For most men and women with a thyroid disorder, shedding is a temporary side effect, for which there are available hair loss solutions. However, this is not an instant fix as it may take 3 to 4 months from starting your hair loss treatment course before hair growth resumes.

It’s also important to note that when your hair grows back the texture and colour could be different from your previous hair; this happens quite frequently and is nothing to worry about. The original texture and colour should also return within a hair growth cycle or two in the vast majority of cases.