Thyroid conditions occur when your thyroid gland either does not produce enough or produces too much of certain hormones.
Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, can cause many symptoms, from putting on weight to lethargy, most people will not develop symptoms of hypothyroidism until months or years have passed as it slowly develops.
Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, may cause anything from unexplained weight loss to anxiety.
Both thyroid conditions can cause dry, brittle and thinning hair or excess hair fall on your scalp and body.
A problem with your thyroid could be causing your hair loss, even if you do not have any other symptoms.
How is your thyroid connected to your hair health?
Thyroid conditions can cause hair loss if severe enough and the longer it is left untreated. Understanding how these conditions cause hair loss involves understanding how hair grows.
- Hair starts growing at the root in the bottom of your hair follicle on your scalp.
- Your scalp’s blood vessels feed the root providing the necessary nutrients, making your healthy hair grow.
- Hair pushes up and out through your skin. Passing through oil glands that help keep your hair soft and shiny.
- Hair continues to grow but then falls out as each new regrowth cycle begins.
When thyroid hormone production is disturbed, specifically the hormones T3 and T4, it affects other processes in the body. This includes the natural development of hair at the root. Hair falls without being replaced by new growth, resulting in thinning across your scalp and other body areas such as your eyebrows. This is ten times more likely to occur in women, though men can also develop an underactive thyroid.
Thyroid hormones are essential in the regulation of our body’s metabolism, heart health, and overall mood. It also affects the rate at which the body uses oxygen and energy, which also affects our body’s hair and nail growth
Alopecia is an autoimmune condition regularly associated with thyroid conditions. This causes patches of hair loss, however over time this condition can cause baldness. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and lupus erythematosus (LUPUS) are some other autoimmune diseases often linked with thyroid issues that may lead to brittle thinning hair and/or hair loss.
Some medications (Carbimazole and Propylthiouracil) used to treat thyroid conditions may also contribute to hair thinning, and in some cases lead to hair loss.
Symptoms of thyroid-related hair loss
Hair loss may develop slowly with hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. You won’t necessarily notice patches missing or bald spots. Instead, your hair may seem brittle, weaker, thinner and lifeless all over.
We normally lose between 50 and 100 hairs from your head each day. If normal hair growth is interrupted, hair is not being replaced at the same rate of fall, resulting in uniform hair loss.
The good news is that hair loss caused by thyroid conditions is typically temporary. Using HSB Labs hair treatments can help improve your scalp and hair health and get your hair back to being happy, healthy, thicker and revitalised.
Treating the cause
Working with your doctor to keep your condition under control with medication may keep your hair thicker or regrow. Results will not be immediate because hair takes months to develop and grow.
Possible medications include:
- Levothyroxine (hypothyroidism)
- Propylthiouracil and Carbimazole (hyperthyroidism)
- Thyroid extract, T3 and or T4
Your doctor will monitor your thyroid levels while taking these medications. In some severe cases, surgery may be required.
With treatment, hair growth may be noticeable within several months. Using HSB Labs hair treatments can shorten the time to see results and help improve your scalp and hair health and get your hair back to being happy, healthier, stronger, thicker and revitalised.
Other treatments and natural preparations
Along with medication, there are different treatments you can try to slow hair loss or stimulate hair growth.
Iron
Ferritin levels are associated with your iron stores. Low ferritin may contribute to hair loss.
Research has shown that thyroid issues can affect the body’s ferritin levels. So consider having your iron and ferritin tested and supplemented as directed by your pharmacist or doctor.
Nutritional deficiencies
Nutritional deficiencies can contribute to hair loss even without a thyroid condition. Specifically, levels of the following may play a role in hair retention and hair loss:
- Vitamins B7 (Biotin) and B complex
- Zinc
- Copper
- Iron
- Vitamins A, C, and E
- Coenzyme Q10
- Collagen
A multivitamin or specific hair supplements may help boost your bodies levels.
HSB Labs hair care has been formulated with these deficiencies in mind, targeting the root of hair thinning and hair loss problems by incorporating a blend of nutrients, collagen amino acids, botanical extracts and follicle booster to encourage a healthy scalp and hair growth.
Eat well
Eating a balanced diet of whole foods is essential for your general health.
Processed foods, like sugars, red meat, and fried foods, may cause an inflammatory response. Inflammation may worsen your thyroid symptoms, including hair loss.
Iodine intake
Iodine is essential for the body to produce thyroid hormone, however too much may lead to an imbalance.
Kelp and other kinds of seaweed are high in iodine and may worsen the symptoms, including hair loss. Certain multivitamins may also contain Iodine, so consult your doctor or pharmacist and read the labels carefully.
Treat hair gently and with care
You can slow down hair loss by treating your hair with care:
- Avoid pulling hair into tight braids, buns, or ponytails.
- Avoid twisting or pulling your hair.
- Use a wide-toothed comb versus harsher brushes when loosening knots.
Changing your hair routine, a bit may help you from pulling out hair before it would otherwise naturally fall out.
Don’t wait. The sooner you address the symptoms of hair loss with HSB Labs scalp and haircare products, the more likely you are to prevent irreversible results and see hair growth return faster.
HSB labs has designed and developed a treatment plan that can be used with the above options to help grow thicker, fuller, healthier hair using a blend of natural ingredients, botanical extracts, vitamins and minerals and hair follicle boosters (hair messengers) based off scientific evidence to form a dedicated hair growth and beauty strategy. Using our HSB Labs products on a daily or as a part of your regular hair routine will help revitalise, strengthen, volumise, boost and protect your hair during your hair growth journey.
HSB Labs scalp and haircare products provides a holistic targeted approach to hair growth at every phase of the hair growth cycle providing you with thicker, fuller, healthier, stronger hair.
Patience
It may take several months to notice any regrowth. While this may be frustrating, you may consider using HSB labs hair Grow, Boost and Enhance program to improve your hair health and see quicker and longer lasing improved results.
“Inner beauty is great, but fabulous healthy hair never hurts!”