Thyroid & Hair Loss

Thyroid Conditions Can Cause Hair Loss

      When you first notice hair loss you may not understand exactly why you are losing so much hair at one time. Hair loss is usually a warning sign that your body gives off to let you know that something is wrong. One of the things that you want to look into is thyroid problems. There are different types of thyroid problems. The thyroid is a hormone that is located in the neck. It has several important functions in the body. Thyroid conditions can develop over time and one of the main symptoms is thyroid hair loss.

      Symptoms of Hypothyroidism include dry skin, sensitivity to cold, depression, constipation, fatigue, and hair loss. These symptoms may or may not be noticeable to you at first but eventually you will start to notice these changes.

      Hypothyroidism is just one type of thyroid problem. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland is under active and cannot function to its normal capacity. The other type of thyroid problem is Hyperthyroidism. This occurs when the thyroid gland is over active and cannot slow back down.

      Hair loss associated with thyroid conditions only occurs when you do not have your thyroid under control. To check for thyroid conditions your doctor will perform a blood test. If you are diagnosed with Hypothyroidism your doctor will recommend a medication to take to balance out your thyroid and function normal again. There are side effects from taking thyroid medication and one of them are hair loss. But most of the time this is due to your medication needing to be adjusted once again.

      Once you have your thyroid functioning properly with medication you will notice that the amount of hair loss will decrease. You may notice some thinning that you will not be able to prevent but you can learn of some unique ways to cover up the thinning area and prevent people from noticing.

      In order to maintain your thyroid function you will need to see your doctor every six to twelve months for blood work. This will let your doctor know if your medication needs adjusting. Thyroid condition is just one of the many factors that contribute to hair loss. When taking proper care of yourself and your condition your hair loss will be minimal.