Thyroid hormones and hair growth
According to Dr Satyam Chakraborty, consultant endocrinologist, Fortis Hospital, Anandapur (India), thyroid hormones are important in regulating hair growth. Hypothyroidism makes hair follicles less active, while hyperthyroidism speeds up the hair growth cycle, leading to brittle hair and hair loss.
How Does Thyroid Disorder Affect Your Hair?
Thyroid disorders can directly affect the health of your hair, says Dr. Satyam Chakraborty. When the thyroid is not functioning properly, the amount of hormones produced changes, disrupting the hair growth cycle.
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid): When thyroid hormone levels drop, hair growth slows down, causing hair to thin and fall out more easily. Hair follicles become less active, resulting in thin, weak hair.
Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid): Conversely, when the thyroid is overactive, the hair growth cycle happens too quickly, making hair brittle and prone to breakage. Hair can fall out quickly, especially during the transition phase.
Both thyroid disorders can cause hair loss, but in different ways, depending on the changes in the hair growth cycle.
How to Treat Thyroid Disorders to Manage Hair Health
To control hair loss due to thyroid disorders, it is important to treat the thyroid-related problems properly, Dr. Satyam Chakraborty emphasizes. Treatment options will depend on the type of thyroid disorder you have:
Hypothyroidism: Treatment usually involves the use of levothyroxine, a hormone replacement therapy that helps restore normal thyroid function, thereby improving hair growth.
Hyperthyroidism: Treatment may include medications that block thyroid hormone production, or in some severe cases, surgery or radioactive iodine therapy to control excessive hormone production.
Effective treatment of the thyroid condition can help improve hair loss, however, recovery can take time.
