Tips - Hair loss due to Thyroid Problems

by Angela Belcher
(USA)

Your hair represents you health. Loosing you hair is worrying enough, but sometimes it’s related to other health problems. Hair loss can be caused due to physical situations like hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, surgery, medications or thyroid disease in particular.

Hair loss is very common in U.S. American Academy of Dermatology’s Data says, nearly half of all adults will experience hair thinning by age 40 in U.S.A. But thyroid patients may have hair loss earlier and quickly than usual.

Thyroid diseases can be broadly divided into the following categories:

1: Hyperthyroidism - Overproduction of thyroid hormone
2: Hypothyroidism - Underproduction of thyroid hormone
3: Benign (noncancerous) thyroid disease and Thyroid cancer

When it comes to hair loss thyroid problem, a rapid hair loss is experienced due to underproductions or over productions of the thyroid hormone and it is also one of the main identifying symptoms.

Where thyroid gland is located?

It is located in the base of the neck on both side of the larynx (voice box) lower part.

Steps to take for hair loss with thyroid condition

Get Evaluated

If you are dealing with a thyroid problem and hair loss, a good idea would be to get evaluated by dermatologist. They might do some tests to find out the other causes of hair loss such as infection etc. other then the thyroid problem.

Is it you Thyroid Drug?

Make sure the hair loss is not because of your medications, if you are on medications like levothyroxine (i.e., Synthroid, Levoxyl, Unithroid, Levothroid) and still losing hair, then it’s time to take action. The side effects to these drugs could be prolonged or excessive hair loss. Consulting a doctor on this would be good.

Are you under treated?

Make sure you are not undertreated, not taking right drugs or not being at the right TSH, as it could result in hair loss.

Have Patience

If your dermatologist has concluded, you have thyroid related hair loss, then you have to have patience to settle down. Hair loss will slow down and may stop once hormone levels get stabilized and function is normal range. But this can take a few months time.

What about other alternatives?

Portsmouth University Professor, Dr. Hugh Rushton says, in one of the studies he found that 90 percent of women having thin hair due to lack of iron and the amino acid lysine. Lysine helps transport iron which is the most important elements in the body and essential for many metabolic processes. Meat, eggs and fish are the only food sources of lysine. Alternatively Supplements are also available for lysine.

Prescription Treatment for Hair Loss

A good idea would be to consult a doctor for a prescription treatment. In some cases, Drug treatments are recommended by dermatologist. Rogaine and Propecia are the most popular drugs for hair loss. Caution: These are not safe to be taken during pregnancy.
Hair loss with thyroid problem may be stopped or lower down as the thyroid hormones get controlled and function properly. Thyroid knowledge related to hair loss will help you take quick action to prevent and control hair loss.

Hair loss thyroid problem treatment means keeping thyroid hormones in balance. A Quick action can prevent or slow down hair loss.

Contributed by Angela Belcher of www.stophairlosshelp.com