Could Thyroid And Hair Loss Could Be Connected With Hair Growth?

By | September 17, 2019
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Could Thyroid And Hair Loss Could Be Connected With Hair Growth?

 Anyone – man or woman can have issues with the thyroid and hair loss which regrettably can also affect your hair growth. This article will be looking at the role that the thyroid plays in the body in relation to hair growth and also possible solutions to make the situation easier to deal with.

How Does The Thyroid Affect Hair Growth?

 

thyroid and hair loss

It isn’t unusual that you will find men and women who seem to be going through issues with their hair at various stages of their lives. The more common being after the ‘Big 4-0’ and it just seems that gravity and age seem to be working in cohorts ‘against’ them until they realize that that might not be the case once they decide to look closely.

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The usual ‘culprits’ of age and hair after 40 are:

  • Thinning
  • Greying
  • Falling or shedding
  • Hair loss 
  • Bald Spots

Now any of those above-mentioned issues can affect the male or female age group. It really is just hair and the things that can happen to it. However, in this article, the focus will be on the role that the thyroid can play in those issues.

Lets’ start by looking at the hair follicle.


What Is Hair?

thyroid and hair loss

Hair is made up of a protein called keratin. Each follicle is rooted in the skin. And, I want to remind you that your skin is the largest organ on your body and most of it is covered in hair. At the bottom of the follicle, you will find a hair bulb. In this bulb, there are cells that divide and grow to make up the hair shaft. The blood vessels take nutrients and hormones to those cells and this is how we have the magic of growth in a nutshell.

Hair growth varies in terms of the rate of growth and the genetics of people. The average growth rate is 1/2 inch per month. The color of the hair is decided by the pigment cells which produce melanin. Hair turns gray once these pigment cells die.

Contrary to popular belief, hair is not always growing. The follicle goes through different phases of growth:

  • Anagen or growth phase – at this stage the hair is a newborn and will lengthen as it grows which can last for a few years.
  • Catagen or transitional phase – at this phase, the hair grows slowly and the follicle shrinks over a few weeks.
  • Telogen or resting phase – at this phase the hair is resting. There will be shedding but this follows with a replacement by a new one which begins a new growth phase over months.

It can be synchronized is some animals. For example, dogs – they shed or lose hair while regrowing it at the same time. With humans, this is not the same. At any one time, different hair follicles are at different stages of the hair growth cycle. So, it is normal to have some hair shedding being balanced with some new growth.

One of the more common causes of hair loss is referred to as ‘telogen effluvium’. This can be triggered by aggravated illness (pneumonia or a major operation). The stress of the situation will cause the hair follicles to enter their resting phase and the hair will stop growing temporarily.

Now, because the human growth cycle takes a few months, the actual hair loss may not be immediately obvious. It usually shows up after the person’s recovery from the health issue. And then the loss coincides with the regrowth of new hair.


What Is The Thyroid

thyroid and hair loss

The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland located in the neck.  It is just in front of the Adam’s apple. It has two lobes – right and left – and they are about the size of a little plum cut in two. The lobes are joined by a small bridge of thyroid tissue called the isthmus. The two lobes lie on either side of the wind-pipe.

This gland makes two hormones (which are secreted in the blood) called thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Their job is to regulate the normal functioning of your body cells. Thyroid disorders can occur in anyone, although it is commonly seen in women; sometimes even babies, children, and men can suffer too.


What Are The Types Of Thyroid Issues That Might Affect Your Hair Growth

The more common types of thyroid disease which might ‘encourage’ hair loss are:

  • Hypo-thyroid –  (underactive thyroid) where there isn’t enough thyroxine being produced for the body’s needs. This is the more common of the two.
  • Hyper-thyroid – (overactive thyroid)  when too much thyroxine is being produced for the body’s needs.

It has been seen that people with hypo or hyper -thyroid disease are prone to have autoimmune thyroid diseases. This can include:

  • Alopecia areata
  • lupus erythematosus
  • Polycystic ovarian syndrome

The main disorder which can affect your hair is Alopecia areata. It is a sudden hair loss which starts in a circular bald patch and is not contagious. It can be treated, however, not cured. This happens when the immune system attacks the hair follicles and causes hair loss.

The hair can fall out on the scalp, the eyebrows, or on any other part of the body.  Alopecia areata can occur:

  • as hair loss in patches – Alopecia areata
  • hair loss on the scalp – Alopecia totalis
  • hair loss of all scalp hair – Alopecia universalis

Of course, severe stress of any kind will not help the issue. There is medical treatment as well as topical scalp medication.


Here are three Health Summits that you might find interesting and who knows, maybe unearth some concerns that you might have concerning some of your health issues.

  1. Autoimmune Revolution
  2. Interpreting Your Genetics Summit
  3. Interpreting Your Genetics SummitHealing Hashimotos Summit 2017

Healing Hashimoto's Summit 2017

 


Solutions For Thyroid Issue And Hair Growth

There are a few solutions to help with thyroid issues and your hair growth.

There are:

  • Natural remedies
  • Doctor prescribed medicine
  • Cosmetic solutions

Natural Remedies

thyroid and hair loss

Of course, having a healthy diet can never be stressed enough to help promote good health and inevitably great hair health. You need a fair share of vitamins and other foods from the food pyramid to ensure balance as well.

Here are a few natural remedies that can help you minimize the hair loss issue:

  • biotin –  sometimes called vitamin H, this is an essential hair growth vitamin. It is one of the more commonly prescribed supplement for thyroid-induced hair issues. You still need to be careful and seek medical advice when using biotin while having thyroid issues.
  • coconut oil – this oil contains medium-chain fatty acids and healthy saturated fats which help restore thyroid health. Taking 1tbsp daily will be very helpful to someone with hypothyroidism. It can be applied topically as well on the hair and scalp.
  • evening primrose oil – this oil is rich in gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) which is an omega-6 fatty acid that promotes healthy hair growth. It also stops the conversion of testosterone to DHT, which curbs hair fall. You can apply topically or take it as a supplement in capsule form.
  • sea kelp – this plant has a high content of iodine which helps to stabilize the thyroid function. It also contains vitamins and minerals which help to nourish and strengthen the hair. You can take it as a supplement, as dried flakes, or as raw seaweed.
  • saw palmetto is a herb that inhibits the production of DHT in the body. It can help with reducing hair loss and encourage hair growth. You can brew the tea or take the supplements.
  • yoga there are certain poses which help to relieve both hypo- and hyper – thyroidism. The inversion poses are the more commonly used to treat effectively. For hypothyroidism, you can try Viparitakarani, Janu Shirasasana. Matsyasana, Halasana, Marjariasana, and Surya Namaskar. For hyperthyroidism, try Setubandhasana, Marjariasana, Shishu Asana, Shavasana, and slow Surya Namaskars.
  • turmeric – yes, read more in the great article, 10 Proven Health Benefits of Turmeric Curcumin Supplements

Food for thought – have you tried CBD Oil? Have a look at this article about one company’s creation of hair products using CBD Oil in their list of ingredients.

Doctor Prescribed Medicine

 

thyroid and hair lossOf course, it goes with say, if you suspect you might have hair loss issues, check in with your medical source and do not treat this article as a solution to your issue. This is simply for informational purposes. Here are a few prescription medicines:

  • Corticosteroids: This medicine suppresses the immune system. The medicine is given as shots into the area with the hair loss. Sometimes it is also administered topically in the form of a cream, lotion or ointment, and even as pills.
  • Minoxidil: Known to help regrow hair, minoxidil 5%, is a common treatment. It is used in conjunction with other medication. It can be applied to the scalp, eyebrows, or beard twice daily. New hair can be seen within 3 months according to studies.
  • Anthralin: This medicine alters the skin’s immune function. It is a tar-like substance which is topically applied to the skin for 20-60 minutes. It is then washed off to avoid skin irritation. This is called short-contact therapy by dermatologists.
  • Diphencyprone (DPCP): This medicine is applied to the bald skin. It can cause an allergic reaction. Once this happens, there is redness, swelling, and itching. the dermatologists believe this allergic reaction tricks the immune system, causing it to send white blood cells to the surface of the scalp. This fights the inflammation. It also prevents the hair follicles from going to sleep and causing the hair loss.

Cosmetic Solutions

thyroid and hair loss

These solutions can include all and/or a combination of:

This all depends on the extent of the hair loss and the confidence of the person who has to make their hair issue appear ‘normal’ and natural.

 


 

I found this video on YouTube produced by Dr. Axe. It has some interesting suggestions to help with thyroid issues naturally.

 

My Final Thoughts On Thyroid And Hair Loss 

Most people – men and women included – all want to have a beautiful frame for their faces. Your hair will make you feel good about yourself as you leave the comfort of your home to embark on daily living. You look into the mirror and you take that last memory to work with you. It is important in some ways that you feel good about how your hair looks to the world and it does not mean that you are vain.

No, your hair helps to frame, not only your face but your self-confidence as you go about your day.

I know that we are not always in control of what happens to our bodies, despite healthy eating and hygienic habits, and there will be times where genetics can hold you ransom.

At these times, we need to seek professional medical advice and be prepared to get a second opinion as well and then take action accordingly.

Have you ever had thyroid issues and found solutions? I would love to hear your story. I would also like to suggest additional reading about How To Treat Facial Hair Loss – a topic that not many people talk about but yes, it can be an issue for some. After all, thyroid and hair loss are not only limited to the hair on your head!

I found an interesting Thyroid Booster System created by Michelle Davis. Check out the presentation – you have nothing to lose and more information about your health that will last for life.


 

THE THYROID BOSTER SYSTEM

thyroid and hair loss

 

How much do you really know about your Thyroid?

According to the American Thyroid Association, not only can an
unbalanced thyroid causes SEVERE health risks…

But it can also cause you to gain 7-10 pounds in a matter of
weeks.

Leave you feeling down or depressed…

Constantly tired or sluggish…

And can cause a HOST of other health issues

thyroid and hair loss

An ALARMING 20 MILLION AMERICANS suffer from some form
of thyroid disease…

And 60% of them aren’t even aware of it!

Have you gained weight recently and aren’t sure why?

Or have you been feeling more tired or sluggish than usual?

Or maybe more irritable, or even a bit depressed?

 Go watch this free presentation to discover how to be proactive.

According to the American Thyroid Association, 1 in 8 women
will suffer from thyroid disease. Millions of men are affected as well.

An untreated thyroid condition can cause serious and irreversible health issues.

Don’t be a victim! Discover how to ensure your thyroid is functioning properly.

thyroid and hair loss

It could have a massive impact on your life.

To Your Health,

Michelle Davis

thyroid and hair loss

PS: As a previous thyroid sufferer, I have discovered life-changing information
that no doctor ever told me. I share it ALL with you in my video.

 


You may be interested in reading other books on the thyroid and its functions like:

Hashimoto’s Protocol Reversing Thyroid Symptoms

The Paleo Thyroid Solution

The Thyroid Cure

Happy Reading and Better Health!

michelle lake author

Images courtesy of Pixabay and Pexels.

Updated September 2020.

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12 thoughts on “Could Thyroid And Hair Loss Could Be Connected With Hair Growth?

  1. Pete

    Hi Michelle, I love your signature, that’s so cool. That is a really good article on the thyroid, hair loss and the possible solutions. I’ve wondered just what the thyroid is and what it does for quite a while but never actually checked into it. I heard that it can be the cause of a number of health issues but this is the first time I’ve seen it explained so well and I liked the video at the end too. I also like the natural remedies section as it’s the best place to start looking for help. Thanks for enlightening me on this issue and I wish you the best success.

    Reply
    1. Michelle Post author

      Hello there, Pete.
      Thanks for visiting.
      Thanks for the compliment on my signature – I dare to be different!!
      I graciously accept your compliment on my article. Yes, thyroid disorders are common and sometimes people are in the dark as to what it really is and how they can find solutions. I am glad that this article was a good eye-opener for you, especially in using natural remedies. I also wrote another article on Natural remedies for hair loss which you can read as your time permits.
      Please stop by anytime and good health to you.
      Michelle

      Reply
  2. Norman Richards

    Hello friend, tons of awesome and helpful information on hair loss. I have experience some hair loss myself and was just thinking the other day on doing research on this topic. Your post is excellent and so timely. Thanks a million for sharing.

    Reply
    1. Michelle Post author

      Hello Norman,
      Thanks for visiting. I am so glad that you found this article helpful and as you have said, so well-timed. I hope you were able to glean something that you can use in your hair loss issue. There is also another article on hair loss and natural remedies that might interest you, you can click here
      Please visit anytime and let me know if there are questions that you would like answers to.
      Michelle

      Reply
  3. Joseph

    Hi Michelle!
    You have revealed some of the important things in health and beauty. Every human wants to keep their hair healthy and thick. Even like a ‘crown’ for women. But knowing the root cause of hair loss is the key to how to treat it. And discovering its remedies are complementary to their total recovery.

    I think you’ve done awesome on revealing the reasons for hair loss and how to treat it, thumbs up for you!

    Reply
    1. Michelle Post author

      Hello there, Joseph.
      Yes, as humans, we need to get to the ‘root of the matter’ (pardon my pun) if we intend to find solutions, in more ways than one. I am glad that you found the information useful. Please come back and visit as I explore more issue concerning hair health and natural remedies.
      Thanks.
      Michelle

      Reply
  4. Den

    Hi, Michelle,

    Great article about hair loss. I have a friend who has a major hair loss problem. He asked me for some advice which I could not give, and I am happy I found this well-written article.

    I will surely refer this page to him. I have never known that part of the part of the problem is thyroid health. I have a problem with greying hair, and I would like to go for those natural remedies.

    The Healing Hashimotos Summit sounds very interesting, and we will check it out.

    Thank you,

    Den

    Reply
    1. Michelle Post author

      Hello Den,
      Thanks for visiting.
      Thank you for your compliment. Hair loss is prevalent in the lives of everyone, men, women, and sometimes even children. I am happy that I could be a source of information for you and that your friend will also benefit. Yes, grey hair is great and can be a sophisticated sign of maturity, though sometimes, we like to pretend that they don’t exist. LOL
      You should also check out my article on Henna and Indigo, it’s a natural way of coloring your hair.
      Enjoy the Hashimoto Summit.
      Michelle

      Reply
  5. Debra

    I enjoyed reading your website and appreciated the information about the thyroid. I appreciated your response to a previous comment about Henna. I’ve used that before. I happen to be a red head and as time goes on I am running out of red, so my hair looks more blond. But I like it natural I’m just an aging hippy.

    Reply
    1. Michelle Post author

      LOL
      Hello there, Debra. You made me smile – an aging hippy! Yeah to ‘flower power’!!
      Thanks for visiting again, I appreciate it. I also thank you for taking the time to leave your thoughts. I am glad you found the information useful too.
      Oh, by the way, using HENNA to highlight your natural hair color should work well, even with the blond. In this case, you can use cassia henna which has no color and still delivers the power pack you get from any henna treatment.
      All the best,
      Michelle

      Reply
  6. RN Didi

    I’m a Black woman who suffers from PCOS, so this article speaks to me in volume.

    I’ve been diagnosed with PCOS years ago, always wondered why my hair was always falling out. Luckily I’ve got a lot on my head, so it doesn’t show, but I always find it distressing when I shower and wash my hair and see all the hair I lose.

    Coconut oil is already part of my regimen, along with vitamin D and Vitamin Bs. I’ve started to see some improvement. But I do make sure to drink a lot of water, otherwise, the vitamin B will break me out.

    I’m not into taking conventional medicine…not there yet and hopefully will never be.

    And I love Dr. Axe and everything he says!
    Great article!

    Reply
    1. Michelle

      Hello there, Didi

      Thanks for stopping by. I am glad that my article was able to connect with you. I hope you have the PCOS under control. Just like myself, I am not big into conventional medicine, but at times, yes, we have to give in and be a part of it.

      Yes, our hair can sometimes ‘take a beating’ depending on our deficiency. You might be interested in another article I wrote about coconut oil when you have some time on hand.

      In the meantime, better health on your journey and don’t let the extra strands of hair you see stress you too much. You don’t need to add another factor to things. Just find a routine that works under your current circumstances and be consistent.

      Michelle

      Reply

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