About Hair Loss Due to Improper Thyroid Function

Hair loss is a common symptom of a thyroid that is not functioning properly. However, hair loss is not exclusively a symptom of thyroid disease. If a person is experiencing sudden rapid hair loss, he or she should see a doctor to determine whether or not it is a result of thyroid dysfunction. By treating thyroid disease, excessive hair loss should eventually taper off.

Hair Compostition

• Every strand of hair is composed of keratin, which is a type of protein. There are three basic parts of a hair strand: the root, the shaft, and the follicle that connects the shaft and root together. The average person loses up to 100 strands of hair per day, which eventually grows back. Losing more than this amount can indicate a health problem, such as thyroid disease. This can happen to anyone at any age.

Types of Hair Loss

• Hair loss is a common symptom of hypothyroidism, or an under active thyroid, in which there is a lack of thyroid hormones circulating and regulating various body functions. Such an individual will not be going bald, but will notice that their hair sheds more when washing and brushing it. However, hair loss may not necessarily indicate improper thyroid function. Other reasons include fungal infections, hereditary hair loss and a shrinking of hair follicles as a result of pattern hair loss.

Thyroid Disease

• Hypothyroidism, and sometimes hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid), can lead to hair loss. A decreased metabolism, common in hypothyroids, may affect the hair follicles and make the root and shaft separate and fall off the scalp. In other cases, thyroid disease simply makes the hair so brittle that it breaks off. If an individual has not previously been diagnosed with thyroid disease but suspects it as a result of hair loss and other symptoms, then they must see a doctor for confirmation.

Prevention/Solution

• Hair loss as a result of thyroid disease must be treated. The most common form of treatment is the administration of oral thyroid replacement drugs, which restore the thyroid gland back to normal. The thyroid then releases the correct amount of hormones, regulating metabolism and other body functions once again. Also be sure that the body is getting the correct intake of essential daily vitamins and minerals.

Other Causes

• If a patient is still experiencing hair loss during treatment, then he or she needs to see their doctor immediately. This can indicate that the incorrect dosage of hormone replacement medication is being prescribed. Some individuals even lose hair as a result of the drugs themselves. Synthroid, or its generic version Levothyroxine, are examples. Sometimes it is best to switch medications or to take a complementary medicine in order to stop hair loss.