Thyroid disease leads to an imbalance of levels of the thyroid hormone, which may be the cause of your hair loss. As the hormones fluctuate, the entire body is susceptible to a number of different symptoms, including weight variations, mood swings and even causes a change in the way you think. Although loss of hair is one of the common side effects, it is also one that can be reversed, if the necessary treatment is applied.
Hair grows in three phases, anagen, or the growing phase, catagen or the transition phase and finally, telogen or resting phase. At any moment, 85% of your the is actively growing, while 10%-15% is the telogen phase, where follicles are dormant and the hair stops growing. Imbalance of thyroid hormone causes these cycles to go off sync, meaning that a bigger percentage of your hair is in the dormant phase and not growing at all, leading to thinning, hair loss and eventually baldness.
A variety of different factors can lead to hair loss, but thyroid disease can be very problematic, whether the thyroid gland is working below its normal limits, a condition called hypothyroidism or the gland working over its limit, also known as hyperthyroidism.
Both of these conditions that afflict the gland may cause hair loss, as the hair growth heavily relies on the adequate its workings.
As hair growth is influenced by the secretions of the thyroid gland, overproduction of the hormone results in variations in hair growth, as well as a number of different side effects if not treated on time. The gland working below its limit causes loss of hair on the scalp, as well as the entire body. While the overproduction of the hormone leads to the hair looking healthy, but with severe thinning throughout the scalp. Symptoms of the thyroid disease include mood swings, heighten stress levels and overall irritability, lethargy and feelings of tiredness, insomnia or lack of sleep, fluctuations in body weight, exhaustion and muscle pain, dry hair and skin, trouble concentrating, remembering and recollection of information and if you are a woman suffering from this condition, heavy menstruation.
The function of the thyroid gland can be determined by a blood test, and you should schedule an appointment with you doctor if you detect any of the above mentioned symptoms.
Once the thyroid disease is diagnosed by your regular physician, he will prescribe the treatment best suiting your needs, which will eventually cure the hair loss. The appropriate dosage of the thyroid hormone is going to be established over time and there is a chance that your hair may look rather unhealthy during that period. Have in mind that once the body accommodates to the therapy, the hair will start to regrow.
As the medication is balancing your hormone levels, invest some time into washing, grooming and treating your hair. Consult with your doctor or a nutritionist to devise a dietary plan rich in vitamins and minerals that are vital for hair growth. You can get most of them via food, or you can use supplements, which you can get at your local health store.
