Your ability to grow hair is strongly connected to your overall health. Stress and illness can cause the cells within the strands to stop growing and functioning. This is because the body will go into survival mode in order to maintain the bodily functions which are necessary in order to sustain life. For people who have a problem with the thyroid, hair loss is often one of the first and most noticeable symptoms.
Symptoms of Thyroid Hair Loss
Thyroid disorders can cause the hair to fall out in large clumps during shampooing. It can also alter the texture of the strands causing them to become coarse and dry. The hair loss typically occurs on the head. However, thyroid disorders can cause strands along the outer portions of the eyebrows to fall out. Hair can also begin shedding from other regions of the body.
Most hair loss is caused by the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT damages the follicles by shrinking them until they eventually disappear. As a result hair that sheds cannot grow back. This process happens much quicker for people who have thyroid disorders.
Some Thyroid Medications Cause Thinning Hair
Medications are often prescribed to help correct problems with the thyroid. Hair loss can be a side effect for some people who are taking medications such as levothyroxine. The brand names for this medication include Levoxyl and Synthroid.
For some people who have disorders of the thyroid, hair loss will occur if they are not receiving enough medication or if they are not using the right treatment. Sometimes a second medication is necessary.
Some people have successfully overcome thyroid hair loss by using herbs and other natural remedies. Herbs which can be used as hair loss treatments include green tea, vitamin B6 zinc, and polysorbate 80.
Hair Regrowth Takes Time
Regardless of which hair loss treatments you are using to stimulate hair regrowth, remember it will take time before your hair resumes its normal growth cycle. After your medications or natural remedies balance your hormonal levels, you will lose hair at a much slower rate. This will occur over a period of several months. It can even take up to one year to notice that your hair is thickening. Thyroid hair loss is usually not permanent and can be reversed with the use of the right hair loss treatment. Most people are able to grow most of their hair back once they get their thyroid condition effectively treated.