The large gland that lies in the neck region serves some very important functions in the regulation of your bodily systems. It helps to regulate metabolism and has an affect on the cardiovascular system, growth of cells and development of a baby’s brain. One of the symptoms of a thyroid disturbance is either a decreased metabolism with hypothyroidism, or an increased metabolism with hyperthyroidism. An overactive thyroid gland will increase your energy level and leave you irritable, whereas an underactive thyroid gland will make you feel sluggish, fatigued, and experience weight gain. In addition to weight gain, a person who suffers from hypothyroidism will most likely experience a loss of hair. Thyroid disturbances and hair loss are not an uncommon problem. These changes in the body all occur due to hormonal changes and medications.
Normal thinning of the hair after the age of 40 years old is not uncommon, but when the body is additionally stressed, your hair cells will suffer the consequences. Hair cells, an amazingly fast growth area in the body, will be one of the first areas that distress will show up when there is a disturbance in the body. It does this in order to encourage the energy of the body to go where it is most needed. A person experiencing a thyroid problem will have an increased likelihood of hair loss.
Your hair grows approximately one-half inch per month. This will continue for approximately 3 years in length. After this period of time, it will take a needed rest. After that groups of hair simultaneously go through a process of pushing old hairs out and starting over again with new hair growth.
If you are taking hormone supplements the enzymes undergo a conversion process. This conversion process is responsible for the hair follicles being under attack and shrinking the hair altogether. Furthermore, this hair becomes more fine and thin, or worse may stop its growth pattern completely. Testosterone to DHT conversion is responsible for this.
People who do not have enough thyroid hormone will discover hair loss and/or thinning hair to be their most frustrating problem. Not only will they experience the hair loss or hair thinning the problem is further compounded with a change in the texture of their hair as well, such as hair that is dry, coarse, and/or tangles fairly easily. Even after hormone replacement has been initiated it may take many months before normal hair growth starts again.
If you have a thyroid problem talk to your doctor if you experience this type of a problem with hair loss. You will probably have to have your levels checked to determine that you are not being overly medicated or under medicated. Further investigation may warrant a visit to a dermatologist for further diagnosis and treatment to help you solve the problem.
Resources:
Graves’ Disease and Thyroid Foundation: Overactive Thyroid in Infancy and Childhood
http://www.gdatf.org/about/about-graves-disease/children-graves/
Centre Clauderer: Thyroid Problems and Hair Loss
http://www.centre-clauderer.com/en/thyroid-hair/index.htm
MayoClinic: Hypothyroidism
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hypothyroidism/DS00353/DSECTION=symptoms
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