It is relatively common for hair loss to be experienced with thyroid problems. Your thyroid controls the manufacture and release of certain hormones in your body, and when they are out of balance, this can cause thyroid hair loss. However, we can’t always blame the hormones; sometimes there are other causes behind the hair loss. Indeed, sometimes it simply comes down to genetics.

Understanding thyroid hair loss

Hair growth is not a uniform or continuous process. Each follicle may have its own ‘clock’ where it cycles through growth, rest and shedding. In some animals, such as dogs, all of the follicles are on the same clock – hence they shed regularly, usually in line with seasons. Human hair isn’t like that. Our follicles aren’t coordinated. The result is that your hair, generally, will remain the same thickness, despite regular shedding.

The cycle is long. This means that if you experience thyroid hair loss, it may actually take several months for you to notice. It can then seem more alarming.

Both hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) and hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) can be the cause of thyroid hair loss. It occurs across the scalp, rather than in patches. This is why you may experience thinning, rather than specific bald areas. For many people who experience it, the hair loss is mild and usually minimally bothersome. However, for some people it can be quite worrying and distressing.

It is common for thyroid hair loss to reverse when you treat the thyroid problem, for example using natural thyroid treatment.

A common misconception

Because the hair growth and shedding cycle takes many months, hair loss due to thyroid problems may actually be one of the last noticed symptoms. You may already be taking thyroid medication by the time it becomes apparent.

As such, some people will mistake the hair loss as being a symptom of the thyroid medication, rather than a symptom of the thyroid problems. This is a common confusion.

If you have recently started thyroid treatment and are now experiencing hair loss, give the medication time. It is likely that the hair loss will reverse once regrowth has time.

Only in rare cases do thyroid medications, such as propylthiouracil, cause hair loss. If it is the medication causing the hair loss, you are more likely to experience patchy loss, rather than all over thinning.

Autoimmune problems and hair loss

Some thyroid problems are autoimmune conditions, in fact, for most people, this is their experience. The medical community knows that people with one autoimmune condition are more likely to develop others.

One such autoimmune condition, which causes hair loss, is called alopecia areata. Again, unlike thyroid hair loss, this condition causes patches of hair loss rather than diffuse hair loss.

What to do about thyroid hair loss?

If you are concerned, do speak to your doctor. They can rule out very common causes, such as iron deficiency. They will also be able to advise if your hair loss is thyroid related.

However, do remember that most thyroid hair loss will be temporary, until you have regulated your thyroid using medication. It’s important to be patient and give the medication time to reduce all thyroid symptoms, but particularly to give you time to notice hair regrowth. It is not unusual for the texture or even color of regrowth to be different.

We strongly recommend that you avoid ‘miracle cures’. Whilst you are feeling vulnerable about hair loss, and perhaps experiencing other thyroid symptoms, it can be hard not to feel drawn in by those promising to take the problem away quickly. However, with the right thyroid treatment, it is likely that your hair loss is a short term issue. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Whilst waiting for your hair to regrow, extensions and wigs may offer a way to feel more confident. Hairdressers are usually also very skilled at advising clients on styles to minimize the appearance of hair loss.

Also take care of your hair. Don’t stop brushing it; this won’t affect the rate of loss. Don’t take any hair or other supplements which contain iodine as they can interfere with thyroid medication.

Biotin and thyroid hair loss

Biotin, or Vitamin B7, is recommended for hair strength and growth. You can find it in dietary sources such as avocados, salmon and seeds. Taking it as a supplement can help give your hair what it needs to grow back strong and thick. We recommend a normal and not ultra-high dose of biotin for thyroid patients because biotin can lead to false thyroid blood test results, indicating that your thyroid is more active than it actually is.

Treat thyroid hair loss naturally

At International Pharmacy, we have a number of different natural thyroid medications. There are many reasons why you may want to take natural thyroid medication rather than levothyroxine. We’ve explained more about the T3 and T4 thyroid hormones previously, and why this may affect your choice of treatment. Especially in countries like the UK, where getting T3 thyroid treatment can be difficult, it’s useful to know that at International Pharmacy, we stock a choice.