How Do I Slow Down or Stop Hair Loss From Hypothyroidism?'

Name: 

Marilyn

Question: I have recently been diagnosed with a HYPOTHYROID. I am getting very thin hair on my right side (front). Is there something I can do to slow down or stop this hair loss.

Answer: Hi, Marilyn. In order to answer your question thoroughly we would ideally need to know how long you have been noticing this hair loss for and whether it is affecting anywhere else on your scalp.

The reason for this is that hypothyroidism and hair loss are often linked, especially when the condition has only recently been uncovered or is undiagnosed.

When you have an underlying illness the body can temporarily divert its attention away from what it considers 'non-critical functions' in order to help fight this. This can affect the hair growth cycle and cause hair thinning from all over the scalp, although this may not become noticeable until around three months after the shedding begins. When this occurs, it is due to a hair loss condition called Telogen Effluvium which tends to last for a maximum of six months. If the illness continues without being treated, or if the prescription medication used to treat the condition - in this case diabetes - causes hair loss as a side effect, then the shedding may continue for at least six months and becomes chronic.

Telogen Effluvium can be treated, although it will often clear up of its own accord, and Chronic Telogen Effluvium treatment can also often help to accelerate regrowth in more severe cases, providing the underlying illness is also being properly managed. However, if you have a genetic predisposition towards hereditary hair loss - androgenic alopecia, better known as Female Pattern Hair Loss - this condition can be triggered by either form of Telogen Effluvium.

Although this condition only causes thinning hair along the top of the scalp and the hairline, whereas the previously mentioned hairloss conditions are temporary and can affect the whole scalp, this is permanent and progressive. As you have a very specific area of your scalp that is being affected and which could apply to both of these types of hair loss, we would recommend having a personal consultation - either in person or online - so that you can receive a professional diagnosis. There are effective hair loss treatments for women, as well as various additional hair growth boosters, that can be tailored into a personalised course to stabilise current hair fall and promote regrowth.