Thyroid and Hair loss

What is a “thyroid disorder”?

Thyroid and hair loss disorders are fairly common. The hormones that are produced by this gland affects almost every part of your body – from your heart to your brain, to your muscles to your hair. A main cause of hair loss among women is subpar or low thyroid function. Other common symptoms of low thyroid function include cold hands and feet, yellow teeth, widely spaced teeth, depression, morning headaches, as well as other symptoms.

Severe and prolonged hypothyroidism (low) and hyperthyroidism (high) can cause hair loss. The hair loss is usually spread out through the entire scalp. The hair appears uniformly thin. Regrowth is usual with successful treatment of the thyroid disorder, though it will take several months of finding the right treatment and may be incomplete.

Some forms of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism come on abruptly and fortunately are diagnosed early, while in other instances they have been present for months or years before diagnosis. Hair loss due to thyroid disease usually becomes apparent several months after the onset of thyroid disease. This is due to the hairs long life cycle. Because hair loss does not show as a symptom right away, people who start their thyroid treatment, may experience hair loss soon after and mistaken the loss as a symptom of their treatment, and in turn stop their treatment.

 

A good percentage of people with hypo- or hyper-thyroidism also have autoimmune thyroid disease. If a person has one autoimmune disease, they are more likely than others to develop other autoimmune conditions. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss that occurs in people with autoimmune thyroid disease more often than not. Unlike the types of all over hair loss described above, alopecia areata causes discrete, often circular, areas of hair loss. In most cases this stays confined to where it starts and does not progress, but unfortunately it can cause significant baldness.

 

Thankfully, with todays advanced technology, knowledge and education, there are many hair loss solutions to choose from. It is so important to be able to look and feel your best while you are going through life’s changes.

 

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