Thyroid And Hair Loss

By Terrance V. Cruz


Thyroid diseases like hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism both can be associated with losing hair. It is because it makes the hair follicles weak in holding the hair. To give you a clearer picture, let's first explain what these thyroidal diseases are and how they develop.

The hyperthyroidism is a condition in the thyroid gland where in it produces more hormones than what the body requires. These unused hormones will then be a radical in the body which might be a threat to other systems of our body. On the other hand, the hypothyroidism is when the glands do not produce enough hormones. If this happens, the parts of our body will not have enough supply of hormones and they will not work well.

The good news for most people is that this hair loss will slow down and probably even stop totally with the correct treatment of the thyroid problem - be it treatment for an overactive or an underactive thyroid. Once you have had your hormone levels stabilised and restored to within the acceptable range, you should notice an improvement, although this might take a few months to become significant.

Thyroid problems are among the most common medical conditions but, because their symptoms often appear gradually, they are commonly misdiagnosed. So much evidence suggests that thyroid problems are due to an allergic or environmental cause that it seems sensible to remove those substances known to affect the thyroid to see if this corrects the condition before taking any medication.

Hypothyroidism should be suspected when you are experiencing some of the following symptoms: fatigue, muscle weakness, weight gain , appetite loss, hair loss, coarse, dry hair, dry/rough skin, recurrent infections, abnormal menses, inability to tolerate cold, decreased sex drive, depression, memory loss, muscle cramps, drooping and/or swollen eyes.

So to answer your question whether does thyroid cause hair loss, the answer is yes, it does. But all loss of hair is not due to thyroidal diseases. It can be due to other reasons. If you are dealing with loss of hair because of thyroid, you need to first be evaluated by a dermatologist. That way, you will be sure that it does come from the thyroid. You also need to make sure that it is not due to the drugs that you are taking. Sometimes, there are drugs and supplements that can have reactions and side effects. Hair loss can be one of them. You may have to undergo some tests in order to make sure what really caused the hair loss. It might also be due to under treatment. If you are undertreated, it means that you still lack the nutrients you need to cure the disease. Consult your doctor in the first signs of hair loss due to thyroid. That way, you can be diagnosed with another medicine that will stop it.

It is also worth considering examining alternative treatments to help nourish and replenish the hair during the thyroid treatment. For example, many experts recommend the use of Evening Primrose Oil for those suffering from excessive conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. This acts as an inhibitor to the conversion process. Additionally, it is acknowledged that iron is a significant element in the metabolic process and many people suffering hair loss are iron deficient. The amino acid Lysine helps transport iron and can be found in fish, eggs and meat; eating these, therefore, could be of assistance. Similarly, other natural methods of helping counter the hair loss problems include Vitamin B6, Zinc and Green Tea amongst others.For many, hair loss is one of the most disconcerting - even perhaps frightening - aspects of suffering from thyroid problems but, in the vast majority of instances, it is not a problem that cannot be surmounted.




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