Understanding the Connection Between Thyroid and Hair Loss.

Thyroid hair loss is one of the symptoms of thyroid disease. Thyroid disease is one disease that effects the growth patterns of hair widely enough to cause significant hair loss. There are many different causes for hair loss. Hair loss can be linked to stress, poor nutrition, smoking, pregnancy and even the disease process. To understand the mechanism behind thyroid hair loss, one has to understand the mechanism of hair growth. Normally, hair grows about a half inch each month for about three years, and then it goes into a resting mode. Ten percent of the hairs are in a resting period at any one time, and after about three months a new hair pushes the old hair out. When the balance is disrupted by having too many hairs go into resting mode, or the conversion process speeds up, hair loss occurs. Hormonally induced hair loss is the result of an enzyme converting the hormone testosterone on the scalp into dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. DHT attacks the hair follicle, and shrinks it, even making it disappear entirely. The hair will becomes thinner and finer, and may stop growing entirely. This conversion of testosterone to DHT appears to be sped up in some people with hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, and that may be the cause of hair loss that continues for thyroid patients, despite what is considered effective thyroid treatment.

Hair loss for thyroid patients is one of their most taxing symptoms. Whether the hair loss is due to the thyroid condition itself or the treatment being given for the thyroid disease, the hair loss remains a noticeable side effect. Some people actually felt that thyroid hair loss is the worst symptom of their thyroid problem - large clumps of hair falling out in the shower or sink, often accompanied by changes in the texture, making it dry, coarse, or easily tangled. While thyroid disease frequently causes general hair loss from the hair on the head, a unique and characteristic symptom of hypothyroidism is loss of the hair on the outer edge of the eyebrows. General loss of body hair from areas other than the head can also be seen in thyroid disease.

Dealing with Thyroid Related Hair Loss

The first place to start is on the prescription medication being taken for the thyroid disease. This medication if given in the wrong dosage, can cause significant levels of hair loss. Your prescribing doctor will be able to tell whether or not the thyroid and hair losses are linked. Often, it may just be a normal symptom of your thyroid disease. Many patients with thyroid problems, noted cyclical bouts of hair loss. It seems just as hair growth cycles to a natural stop, more hair falls out if you suffer from thyroid disease.

Natural Treatments for Thyroid Related Hair Loss

There are several prescription drugs for hair loss, but many choose to turn to more natural remedies. Natural remedies for thyroid related hair loss include herbs such as evening primrose oil, l-lysine, and natural DHT blockers and zinc supplementation.

If patients do wish to use prescription medications for hair loss there are two main brand names on the market. Rogaine and Propecia are the two most popular prescription drugs for hair loss in both men and women with thyroid disease.

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