How Does the Thyroid Affect Hair Loss?

Hair loss or baldness, is caused by a variety of factors, the most important being heredity. Most cases, particularly in men, have a genetic background to a hormonal imbalance which compromises the function of hair follicles. This happens because of the increase in amounts of DHT in the body, a hormone derived from testosterone. Having said that, if you are losing hair, there are other conditions to exclude, one of these being thyroid dysfunction, the thyroid can be responsible for hair loss.

Whenever the body needs extra energy, which might be due to stress or illness, the hair cells tend to shut down automatically since they are not so essential to body functioning, and energy is diverted elsewhere. Situations that can cause this are poor diet and nutritional deficiencies, hormonal changes, surgery, and many medications, but noticeably thyroid problems. An underactive thyroid is possibly slightly more common than an overactive one but both can cause hormonal problems tending towards hair loss.

Some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid), include chronic fatigue and weakness, weight gain or difficulty losing weight, hair loss or coarse dry hair, dry and rough skin, intolerance to cold, abnormal menstrual cycles, decreased sex drive, memory loss, depression and irritability. Fortunately not all these problems are always present.

Most doctors prefer to diagnose hypothyroidism with a blood test. They will test to check levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and T4 (the main thyroid hormone).Some other doctors may take a more holistic approach and are able to diagnose based on symptoms. Morning body temperature readings (consistently below 97.1) as well as discovery of waking approximately four hours after going to bed, can aid in diagnosis.

The type of hair loss that occurs with thyroid problems is usually a generalised shedding of hairs rather than discrete patches of baldness. You will often find many more hairs in the shower drain and the hairbrush than normal

Treatment of hypothyroidism is undertaken primarily by hormone replacement. This can be in the form of thyroxine (T4), marketed as Eitroxin or Synthroid, or Triiodothyronine (T3) which is available as Tertroxin or Cytomel, or dried natural thyroid, the best known being Armour. Regular use of natural thyroid can help to restore deficient iodine levels, while also stimulating production of thyroid hormones.

Hypothyroidism can be a complex condition, and there is a danger of under treatment which can cause continued hair loss. General opinion recommends a TSH of around 1-2. Sometimes there is a need to vary the formulation or add in a second drug.

Some sufferers of hypothyroidism have found that natural supplements can be helpful, specifically multivitamins and evening primrose oil. Essential oils of thyme, cedar, rosemary and lavender can be used to massage into the scalp and can help stimulate hair growth.

The final treatment for thyroid hair loss is transplantation if the condition and hair loss is severe. Small plugs of skin with hair are taken from the back or sides of the head and implanted into areas of scalp with little or no hair. It can take several months for the effect to be seen. Other surgical procedures are also possible to minimize bald areas of the scalp.

Thyroid disorders may be more common than is generally realized but with early detection and proper management the effects on the hair can be ameliorated and hence one need not suffer too much from a debilitated appearance.