Thyroid and Hair Loss: 6 Things You Need to Know

There are many medical conditions that can affect the hair and scalp. Disorders of the thyroid gland have been linked to hair loss.

Here are six things about this link you should know:

1. Hair loss throughout life is a natural occurrence, particularly with natural aging, childbirth, or menopause. However, according to the British Thyroid Foundation, hormone imbalances are also to blame for hair loss in some cases, and these imbalances can be linked to both hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).

2. Everyday Health explains that normally, most hair follicles are growing hair while other hair follicles are resting. When thyroid hormones are off balance, the resting hair follicles can begin to outnumber the growing hair follicles, resulting in thinning hair.

3. Most hair loss associated with thyroid disease is characterized by uniform thinning all over the head and not discrete bald patches, says the British Thyroid Foundation. Hair loss is not common for mild or newer cases of thyroid disease, but instead is associated with prolonged and severe dysfunction.

4. When undergoing treatment for thyroid disorders, it is important to remember that it can take some time to find the right solution for you. Ironically, in rare cases, some medications used to treat the thyroid, particularly anti-thyroid drugs for hyperthyroidism, can also cause hair loss or make existing hair loss worse. Most often though, it is the over-active thyroid itself that is to blame, and not the treatment, says the British Thyroid Foundation.

5. WebMD assures that once the thyroid condition is under control through proper treatment, hair will usually begin to grow again as before.

6. According to the British Thyroid Foundation, it is rare for hair loss to be caused by thyroid disorders when other symptoms are not present. If you have hair loss accompanied by other multiple symptoms of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, consult with your physician to find out if thyroid testing is appropriate.

Everyday Health recommends that if you feel self-conscious about your hair loss during treatment or waiting for normal hair growth to resume, you should consult with a trusted hair stylist about new hairstyles, high-quality hairpieces, or wigs that can help you look your best.

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