If you happen to suffer from a problem related to your thyroid hair loss is one of the common symptoms that you could experience. Whilst distressing though it may be, there are things that you can do to promote new growth.
In fact,many people notice rapid hair loss as a symptom of their hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Some of them actually say this is the worst symptom of their thyroid disease and hair loss -- hair thinning, large amounts falling out in the shower or sink, often accompanied by changes in the hair's texture, making it dry, coarse, or easily tangled.
To begin with, you are probably asking yourself why your thyroid organ can cause hair loss. The truth is that when your body realizes that something is wrong, it re-directs its energy resources to the place where it needs in order to promote healing. And one of the areas where the energy is diverted from is the hair cells. Whenever the energy stops flowing to the hair cells, the hair becomes weak and begins to fall out.
If you have been identified as having a thyroid hair loss problem and are taking medication, you should consult your doctor. It may be necessary that your medication amount needs to be changed. Or even that your hair loss is a side reaction caused by your current medication. Your health care provider will be able to tell you for certain and it may be possible to prescribe you a different medication.
How to know you have a thyroid problem?
It is simple to Identify if you do have a thyroid hair loss problem. This can be done by performing a test that your doctor or another qualified medical professional will be able to carry out. Usually a simple blood test is all that will be needed in order for your doctor to ascertain if you have an enlarged thyroid, or if your hair loss is the symptom of something else. What that 'something else' could be is a myriad of conditions that can require further tests. If as a result it is established that you do have a thyroid problem, be it under-active, overactive or enlarged, the good news is that this condition is usually very easy to treat. Once the cure has begun to take effect, you should see a reversal of your hair loss within a short amount of time.
Apart from taking your thyroid medication, you can also actively promote new hair growth by eating a properly balanced diet and keeping your scalp in a healthy condition. In fact, the latter will help to do is when your new hair starts to grow, your healthy scalp will ensure that the growth can penetrate the surface easily, keeping the hair shaft healthy and strong.
But unfortunately for you ,if you have been diagnosed with a thyroid condition, it is likely that you will have to continue your medication throughout your life. Your condition will get worse as soon as you stop this will more than likely, trigger new hair loss.
Other than a problem concerning your hair thinning or thyroid hair loss it could be caused by a number of other factors. If you see that you are losing more hair than normal, then you should consult a medical professional at the earliest opportunity to
Can an Enlarged thyroid contribute to hair loss.
More women than men tend to be affected by enlarged thyroid .The reason why this happen is not yet clear, yet it is known that the cause tends to be a deficiency in iodine. Thyroid problems and hair loss is also a condition which tends to be become more common in the older generation. In most people however an enlarged thyroid does not cause any problem and is generally not uncomfortable.
Located in the neck the thyroid gland, secretes hormones necessary for growth and proper metabolism.
The gland also plays an important role in the growth and mental development of both the fetus and child. It continues to play a strong role in heart rate and weight during adulthood.
Metabolic disorders on the other hand occur when the thyroid secretes too little or too much hormone. This can often produce hair loss.
It is very interesting to note that diseases related to the thyroid are more common in women than in men. This is perhaps because thyroid disease is often autoimmune (antibody mediated) and most autoimmune conditions are more common problem hair loss in women .
Here are ten steps to take to tackle thyroid hair loss.
1. Get an evaluation from your doctor First, to deal with hair loss, before assuming it's your thyroid, always have any hair loss evaluated by a dermatologist or hair loss expert to rule out any other causes -- such as infection. For a hair loss specialist, visit the American Hair Loss Council to find a doctor who focuses on hair loss.
2. Be Patient
3. Understanding the Types of Hair Loss There are three common types of hair loss. General shedding of hair is typically hair lost throughout the head. You'll often notice more hair in drains and in the shower, in hair brushes, and when you brush your hair, but there are no specific patches of loss or even baldness. Typically, with hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism prior to treatment, this is the most common form of hair loss.
Another type of hair loss is more commonly associated with fungal infection or autoimmune alopecia, and involves circular patches of hair loss, in some cases, complete loss of hair in these small patches.
A third type of hair loss is male pattern hair loss -- - men are most susceptible, but women can get it too. Male pattern hair loss is concentrated on the temples and top of the head.
4. Make Sure It's Not Your Thyroid Drug Firstly, if you are hypothyroid and taking levothyroxine (i.e., Synthroid) as your thyroid hormone replacement, and still losing hair, you may need to take action. Prolonged or excessive hair loss
5. Be certain that you are not undertreated
6. Find out if there is a need for a second drug for treating thyroid hair loss problems
9. Consult a medical practitioner for a prescription treatment No only that ,you can also consult with a dermatologist to work with you on drug treatments, including scalp injections, drugs like Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia, and other treatments that can help non-thyroid related hair loss.
If you are diagnosed as having an enlarged thyroid which is perhaps the main causes to your hair loss you'll be pleased to hear that treatments are effective and simple. However, the problem is that you will need to continue the treatment for the rest of your life. The symptoms of thyroid hair loss will begin to reappear if you do stop.