Hair loss is something many people experience at some point in their lives. It can occur simply through aging, while some people might be predisposed to experiencing it if others in their family already have it.
In some cases, though, hair loss can occur when someone has thyroid disease. You might refer to it as medical hair loss since it occurs because of thyroid disease.
In this blog article, we’ll cover some of the more common questions people have about this type of hair loss. We’ll also supply some answers. Of course, if you are experiencing alopecia or think you might have symptoms of any form of thyroid disease, you should see your healthcare provider first for professional advice.
What Does Thyroid Hair Loss Look Like?
Thyroid hair loss tends to be diffused. Rather than occurring in certain spots on the scalp, it occurs all over. This can make it harder to spot at the beginning, since you’ll lose hairs from all over your head. You might also notice your eyebrows become thinner than they previously were.
In time, though, you might realize you’re losing more hair than usual when you brush it. If it appears thinner, it could be a sign of thyroid issues. Your healthcare provider should run some blood tests to determine whether there is any imbalance in your thyroid hormones. If there is, you can begin treatment to reset the balance.
What Type of Thyroid Disease Causes Hair Loss?
Perhaps the two best-known forms of thyroid disease are hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Hyper occurs when too much hormone is produced, whereas the opposite is true with hypo. You might have heard of them referred to as overactive and underactive, respectively.
There are various conditions and scenarios whereby someone can develop either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, but for the purposes of this article, hair loss can occur with both conditions. It is not inevitable that hair loss will occur though.
Will Hair Grow back From Thyroid Loss?
It’s understandably worrying that you’re losing hair for any reason. If you discover you’ve got thyroid issues, you’ll want to get those sorted first. This is the first step to combating any medical hair loss you’ve experienced. Once the hormones are back in balance, it should positively affect your hair growth.
However, there is a caveat to this. If you receive a diagnosis that requires you to go on hormones for an underactive thyroid, you may experience some hair loss because of the medication. This is a known side effect for levothyroxine. However, there is good news too – the hair loss or hair shedding caused by the medication doesn’t affect everyone taking it, and those that do experience it tend to notice it stops after a few months.
Even if you’re not affected by the medication, you should be able to restore hair growth over time. As with any form of hair loss where the hair begins to grow back again, this can take a while to complete – perhaps several months.
Remembering to take your medication regularly as prescribed and coming to terms with the condition can also help. It’s been noted that stress caused from various illnesses can cause hair loss, regardless of the nature of the illness itself.
How Can I Stop Hair Loss From Thyroid Problems?
Biotin is always a good supplement to support healthy hair growth. You may also need to take an iron supplement; thyroid issues are known to interfere with iron levels, pushing them lower than they should be. Eating plenty of protein may also help.
If you’re struggling to adjust to hair loss caused by a thyroid issue, don’t be afraid to chat with your haircare provider. They’ll be experienced in helping all kinds of people to make the most of their hair, even when they’re suffering from diffuse hair loss or other similar issues. Looking and feeling your best is certainly going to help you feel more confident and comfortable, especially when you’re getting used to taking medication and dealing with this health issue.
They’ll also be able to help you make the most of your hair while it grows back, so there’s plenty to be positive about. Maybe that appointment you’ve been thinking about is due?
If you are experiencing hair loss or thinning hair due to thyroid disease, contact the team at Unique Hair Concepts for a complimentary in-person hair and scalp analysis.
