Unravelling The Connection: Thyroid Problems And Hair Loss

Written by Rali Bozhinova, Superintendent Trichologist, The Belgravia Centre

Hair loss can be distressing, affecting not only your physical appearance but also your self-esteem. While there are various factors that contribute to hair loss, one underlying cause that often goes unnoticed is thyroid dysfunction. The thyroid, a small butterfly-shaped gland in the neck, plays a significant role in regulating various bodily functions. In this article, we will delve into the connection between thyroid problems and hair loss, shedding light on the causes, symptoms, and potential treatments for this common issue.

Understanding The Thyroid Gland And Its Function

The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located in the front of your neck just in front of the windpipe (trachea).  Despite its relatively small size, it is always working behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly. It plays a crucial role in regulating your metabolism and energy levels. The gland produces and releases hormones, primarily thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which regulate numerous bodily functions. These hormones influence the metabolism of almost every cell in the body, controlling the rate at which cells use oxygen and produce energy. Additionally, the thyroid gland helps regulate body temperature, heart rate, digestion, muscle control, brain development, and the functioning of various organs. The production of thyroid hormones is carefully regulated by the pituitary gland, which releases thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) to stimulate the thyroid gland when hormone levels are low.

 

 

Thyroid disorders such as hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) can occur when the thyroid gland produces too little or too much hormone, respectively, leading to a range of symptoms and potential health complications. Leaving it untreated will not only change your overall metabolism, but can also lead to changes in the hair texture and hair growth cycle.

Underactive Thyroid

Underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism is a condition that occurs when the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough thyroid hormones to meet the body's needs. Think of it as a slower metabolic engine—it can make you feel tired, sluggish, and even affect your hair.

Symptoms of underactive thyroid include:

• Rough, dry and scaly skin
• Dry, brittle, coarse hair
• Thin eyebrows or partial loss of eyebrows
• Slow-growing, patchy or diffuse hair loss
• Slow-growing brittle nails
• Tiredness
• Weight gain
• Constipation
• Low mood
• Feeling cold or being sensitive to cold
• Muscle aches and weakness
• Slow movements
• Changes in menstrual cycle

In some cases, the thyroid function becomes underactive due to damage caused by your immune system. Autoimmune underactive thyroid, such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland. This gradually damages the thyroid, leading to less production of the hormone thyroxine and therefore, developing an underactive thyroid. The exact cause of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is unclear but there is often a genetic predisposition and is commonly seen in people with other autoimmune conditions such as vitiligo, psoriasis or alopecia areata.

Overactive Thyroid

Overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism is a condition that occurs when the thyroid gland becomes overactive and produces an excessive amount of thyroid hormones. It can happen to anyone although it is ten times more common in women than men. It can make you feel jittery, anxious, and cause excessive hair shedding.

Symptoms of overactive thyroid include:

• Hair loss that can be diffuse or patchy
• Excessive hair shedding
• Hives and itchiness
• Mood swings and anxiety
• Nervousness and irritability
• Tiredness
• Feeling hot or being sensitive to heat
• Faster heart rate
• Tremors
• Weight loss
• Difficulty sleeping
• Diarrhoea
• Persistent thirst
• Swelling in the neck due to an enlarged thyroid gland, also called goitre
• Bulging eyes or problems with vision

 

Sometimes your immune system can make your thyroid overactive. For example, Graves' disease is an autoimmune thyroid condition that causes an overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism due to antibodies produced by the immune system that stimulate the thyroid gland to produce too much thyroid hormones. Similarly to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, autoimmune thyroid conditions such as Graves’ disease are often associated with other autoimmune skin and hair conditions such as psoriasis and alopecia areata.

Hair Loss And Thyroid Problems:

As the thyroid gland dictates your overall metabolism, the thyroid hormones also influence the growth and maintenance of the hair follicles and the hair growth cycle. Some hair loss conditions are seen more often in people with thyroid problems so we have discussed them below.

Telogen Effluvium

Telogen effluvium can be seen in both under- and over-active thyroid conditions due to the change in thyroid hormones. Telogen effluvium causes a disturbance in the normal hair growth cycle, making many actively growing hair follicles transition prematurely to their resting phase. This results in excessive shedding and loss of hair density all over your scalp. There can be many other possible contributing factors to telogen effluvium including iron deficiency, vitamin D deficiency, hormonal changes, starting or stopping some contraceptives, and increased levels of stress.

Signs of telogen effluvium include:

• Increased hair shedding from all over your scalp
• Constantly finding hair on your brush and around your house
• Quickly losing hair volume and density across your scalp
• Your ponytail feels smaller
• Losing many hair strands each time you gently run your fingers through your hair
• Losing full-length hairs with a white firm bulb on the roots
• Seeing short tapered hairs which are a sign of regrowth

If you have seen signs of telogen effluvium, rest assured that in many cases this recovers within 3-6 months after the trigger event has been eliminated. For example, if you were recently diagnosed with a thyroid problem, it is important to treat the thyroid and bring the thyroid hormones back to normal levels. If this was the sole trigger for the telogen effluvium, the hair shedding should stop, and new hair should be seen shortly after correcting the thyroid function. However, if the telogen effluvium continues for more than 6 months, it is considered chronic telogen effluvium in which case a hair loss treatment can be of great help as there may be other contributing factors to the hair shedding.

Androgenic Alopecia

Androgenic alopecia is not necessarily caused by thyroid problems however, it is a very commonly seen hair loss condition also called male pattern hair loss in men, and female pattern hair loss in women.

 

Often a person may have very subtle signs of androgenic alopecia that were not bothering them for a long time, such as a slightly receded hairline in men. However, the increased hair shedding and changes in hair texture as a result of the thyroid changes might have made it more obvious and might have aggravated the underlying hair loss. This is why androgenic alopecia is often seen in people with thyroid problems.

In addition, underactive thyroid has been associated with lower levels of SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) which may lead to higher levels of free androgens such as testosterone, and this in turn can exacerbate conditions like female pattern hair loss.

Androgenic alopecia is a genetic type of hair loss that can start at any age after puberty. Testosterone converts into a more potent androgen called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This is a male sex hormone that is present in both men and women. DHT makes the affected follicles become smaller and weaker over time. As a result, you may notice your hair growing thinner and shorter with every following cycle, until the follicles are lost and the hair stops growing.

 

 

Signs of androgenic alopecia include:

• Receding hairline
• Thinning of the hair on top of the scalp
• Thinner hair on the crown
• The hair remains thicker at the back
• Gradual hair loss in a similar pattern to other family members
• Seeing your scalp more easily through your hair on the top

Alopecia Areata

There is certainly a connection between autoimmune thyroid conditions and autoimmune hair loss. In fact, thyroid disorders are prevalent among individuals with alopecia areata.  The prevalence can vary, ranging from 8% to 28%, depending on factors like the specific population being studied, the types of alopecia and thyroid diseases involved. Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune type of hair loss that can have recurring episodes. Although alopecia areata primarily affects the scalp hair follicles, it can also affect other areas, such as facial hair (eyebrows, eyelashes, beard) or body hair. As the hair follicles are retained, the condition has the potential to fully grow back however, its prognosis is unpredictable. In some cases, alopecia areata recovers spontaneously, but sometimes treatment is required.

Signs of alopecia areata include:

• Sudden patchy hair loss – this can be on the scalp, face, and body
• Sudden increased hair shedding
• Some people lose the back hairline in a band-like pattern – this is called alopecia areata ophiasis
• Some people may lose all hair on their head – alopecia areata totalis
• In rare cases all hair can be lost from the head and body – alopecia areata universalis
• Small broken stubble-like hairs called exclamation mark hairs
• The new hair growth may be white
• You may notice your nails pitting and breaking

Treatment And Management

If you are suspecting that you may have abnormal thyroid function, you should seek medical help. Changes in the thyroid function can happen for many reasons but your doctor should be able to test your thyroid function and stabilise it.

Diet And Thyroid

Your diet can also have an impact on your thyroid function. Eating a balanced diet will not only support your thyroid health, but also your hair growth.

Iodine contributes to the normal production of thyroid hormones and normal thyroid function. It also contributes to the maintenance of normal skin. You can therefore include iodine-rich foods such as seaweed, fish, shellfish, iodised table salt, and eggs.

Selenium is important for the maintenance of normal hair, and plays an important role in the function of the immune system and thyroid.  You can therefore include selenium-rich foods such as seafood, Brazil nuts, organ meats, and eggs.

 

 

Alongside your healthy balanced diet, taking a daily food supplement, such as Hair Vitalics, can help you obtain important vitamins, minerals, amino acids and botanical extracts that support healthy hair growth. They are available in Hair Vitalics for Men and Hair Vitalics for Women formulations in order to be as highly-targeted as possible.

Combat Hair Loss And Reclaim Your Confidence

Last but not least, if your thyroid changes have resulted in hair loss, we are here to help. If you have noticed any hair thinning, or hair loss, the first thing you should do is contact a hair loss specialist. They will go through your medical history, examine your scalp, and discuss a suitable treatment plan for your specific case. You should also keep in mind that your hair cycle is influenced by many factors simultaneously – genetic predisposition, your health, your diet, your nutrient intake, your stress, and your hair care routine. If your blood test shows that you have a thyroid problem, you should certainly address this. However, this may not be the sole reason for your hair loss and this is where a hair loss specialist can be of huge help. Not only they will discuss a treatment plan for you, but they will also monitor you regularly and be ready to answer any questions that you may have 7 days a week.

If you notice any signs of chronic telogen effluvium, mild to moderate patchy alopecia areata on your scalp, male pattern hair loss, or female pattern hair loss, contact The Belgravia Centre where the team of hair loss specialists will be more than happy to help you. The Belgravia Centre’s pharmacy prepares special formulations of minoxidil at different strengths, and with various additives to maximise effectiveness, whilst finasteride can be used orally or topically by those with male pattern hair loss.  We also offer other natural and technological solutions that are combined to provide the optimum solution to prevent hair loss, and an exceptional level of expertise. One of our 20 qualified hair loss specialists will be available to help you any time at our Central London clinic or through a Zoom consultation if you live outside of London.

 

If you are worried about hair loss you can arrange a free consultation with a hair loss expert or complete our Online Consultation Form from anywhere in the world. Take a look through our hair regrowth photo gallery – which is the largest gallery of its kind in the world and contains over 1,000 sets of hair growth photos and verified reviews from patients of The Belgravia Centre.