Your hormones experience varied levels of normality throughout life. While hair loss is part of life, abnormality in hormones often takes a major chunk of the blame. One of the many causes of hair loss is an over-active or under-active thyroid condition. Thyroid hormones are responsible for regulating your energy level and reproduction of all cells. Irregular production levels of this hormone can indirectly impact the quality of your hair, thereby, causing thinning and loss.
Hyperthyroidism (over-active thyroid) or hypothyroidism(under-active thyroid) associates itself with the over- and under-production of the hormone “thyroxine”. Both these conditions can lead to significant hair loss, and therefore, knowing what triggers thyroid and hair thinning is the first step towards tackling the situation. Let us first get a deeper insight into hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism to understand how exactly they can trigger hair loss.
Causes and Symptoms
Hyperthyroidism or Over-active Thyroid
- Over-production of the thyroid hormones
- Accelerates metabolism
- Sudden weight loss
- Irregular heartbeat and sweating
- Nervousness
Hypothyroidism or Under-active Thyroid
- Characterised by reduced physical and cellular activity
- Low ferritin levels
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Sudden weight gain
- Depression
Healthy hair growth is highly dependent on proper functioning of the thyroid gland, which is why, an abnormality can result in hair changes that may or may not be limited to your scalp.
Both conditions can cause your hair to become excessively dry and brittle, with extreme shedding. Note that, hair loss caused by an over-active or under-active thyroid doesn’t restrict itself to parts of your scalp, but the entire scalp itself. In severe cases, your hair follicles can disappear completely and are not likely to grow back.
How to Stop Hair Loss due to Thyroid
Once your thyroid disease is diagnosed, your health care professional will immediately prescribe medication to regulate your thyroid hormone levels. Resultantly, your hair loss problem is likely to get resolved on its own.
Your doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatments to cure thyroid-induced hair loss:
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High-quality multivitamins:
Lack of nutrients in the body directly impacts healthy hair growth. Therefore, once your thyroid levels are determined, your doctor will prescribe a dosage of high-quality multivitamins to bring your nutrition levels to normal.
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Biotin:
Also known as Vitamin H, Biotin is an essential hair growth vitamin, and is one of the most popularly prescribed medications for hair loss induced by abnormal levels of thyroid. Your doctor may also check your biotin levels before prescribing a necessary strength of dosage.
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Medicated revitalizing shampoos & conditioners:
If you’re experiencing excessive hair thinning and loss, your doctor may prescribe medicated shampoos that content potent ingredients such as essential oils and vitamins to enhance the quality of your hair. These are specifically designed for an irritated scalp, and will preserve your hair by keeping it from falling.
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Whether you’re suffering from over-active thyroid or under-active thyroid, the moment you notice two or more symptoms, it’s time to have a chat with a reputed hair care professional, and get evaluated by them. As preventive measures, try to lead a stress-free lifestyle, and stay away from too much pollution, as these two are the biggest external triggers for hair loss.
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