Thyroid and Hair Loss: What You Should Know

As you shower, you glance down and spot larger-than-normal clumps of hair gathering near the drain. You even start to wonder if hair from your underarms is falling out too. After hours of searching online for explanations, nothing quite fits your situation.

Sudden shedding and thinning can stem from many sources—certain drugs, health issues, or the aging process. Another often-overlooked culprit is the thyroid. Whether you have been diagnosed with a thyroid disorder or not, exploring how it may affect your hair health could be worthwhile.

How Thyroid Issues Affect Hair Growth

Untreated or severe thyroid disorders can lead to noticeable hair loss. To understand why, it helps to know how the hair growth process works.

Hair begins its growth deep within the scalp, at the base of a follicle. Blood vessels in the scalp nourish the root, helping it produce new cells and push strands upward. As hair grows out through the skin, it passes oil glands that keep it moisturized and glossy. After a growth phase, the strand naturally falls out and a new cycle starts.

When hormone levels, especially T3 and T4 become imbalanced, they can interfere with this cycle. These hormones influence many systems in the body, including hair development. If they drop or become unstable, hair can fall out and stop regrowing, leading to thinning on the scalp and even in areas like the eyebrows.

One example is alopecia, an autoimmune disorder frequently linked to thyroid issues. It causes round, bald patches and can lead to complete hair loss over time. Other autoimmune diseases tied to thyroid problems, such as polycystic ovary syndrome and lupus, may also cause shedding.

In some cases, medications used to manage thyroid conditions may worsen the problem. Drugs like carbimazole (Neo-Mercazole, Anti-Thyrox) and propylthiouracil (Propycil) are known to contribute to hair thinning. Because hair grows in long cycles, it can be difficult to tell whether the medication or the thyroid imbalance is to blame.

Thyroid and Hair Loss Symptoms to Watch For

Losing some hair each day is completely normal. On average, people shed up to 100 strands daily as part of the hair’s natural growth cycle.

However, with conditions like telogen effluvium, hair can fall out in much larger amounts—often in handfuls. While the scalp is most commonly affected, this shedding can also impact hair across the body.

In autoimmune alopecia, the pattern is different. Hair often disappears in well-defined, round patches that may eventually expand.

Hair loss alone is rarely the only sign of thyroid dysfunction. Most people with an overactive or underactive thyroid experience other symptoms as well.

Common signs of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) include:

• Feeling cold, even in warm environments

• Unexplained weight gain

• Persistent tiredness or fatigue

• Dry skin and brittle hair

• Trouble focusing or memory lapses

• Low mood or depression

• Constipation

Other common signs of hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid) include:

• Nervousness or restlessness

• Irritability

• Excessive sweating

• Rapid heartbeat

• Anxiety

• Trouble falling or staying asleep

• Warm, damp skin

• Muscle weakness

• Unexplained weight loss

• Fatigue

• Bulging eyes and vision issues (seen in Graves’ disease)

Thyroid imbalances can also lead to irregular menstrual cycles, whether the gland is overactive or underactive.

It is important to remember that symptoms like hair loss, fatigue, and mood changes are not unique to thyroid problems. They can be linked to many other health issues. That is why it is essential to consult a doctor and undergo thyroid function tests before reaching any conclusion.

Thyroid and Hair Loss Treatment: What Helps

Mild thyroid issues usually do not cause significant hair thinning. By working closely with your doctor and managing the condition through medication, you may be able to maintain thicker hair or even encourage regrowth. However, progress takes time, since hair needs weeks or months to grow.

Common medications include:

• Levothyroxine for underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)

• Propylthiouracil and methimazole for overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)

• Beta-blockers to help manage symptoms of hyperthyroidism like rapid heart rate

Your healthcare provider will regularly check your thyroid hormone levels to ensure the treatment is working. In certain cases, surgery might be required.

With consistent treatment, hair regrowth may begin to show within a few months. Keep in mind that the new hair might not match your original color or texture.

Natural Thyroid Hair Loss Remedies You Can Try

In addition to prescribed medication, you can explore home remedies to help slow down hair shedding or support regrowth.

Treat Nutritional Gaps Linked to Hair Loss

Even without thyroid issues, lacking certain nutrients can lead to hair thinning. Research suggests that the following nutrients are especially important for maintaining healthy hair:

• Biotin (Vitamin B7) and B-complex vitamins

• Zinc

• Copper

• Iron

• Vitamin C

• Vitamin E

• Vitamin A

• Coenzyme Q10

Eat Foods That Support Thyroid and Hair Health

Maintaining your health depends heavily on eating a diet full of unprocessed, nutrient-dense foods.

If you consume calcium-rich meals while managing hypothyroidism, take your levothyroxine at least four hours apart to help your body absorb it properly.

Highly processed items like sugary snacks, fried dishes, and red meat can trigger inflammation. Caffeinated drinks and alcohol may also play a role. This inflammatory response can aggravate thyroid-related issues, including excessive hair shedding.

Add Anti-Inflammatory Foods to Your Diet

Ginger and turmeric offer natural anti-inflammatory benefits and may help regulate hormone activity. Since your thyroid belongs to the endocrine system, supporting it with these spices could ease thyroid-related symptoms.

Add fresh ginger or turmeric root to your meals. They add flavor to dishes like stir-fries, soups, or even smoothies. Talk to your healthcare provider before trying supplements.

Learn how to regrow your hair naturally

Use Herbal Treatments for Hair Loss Support

Certain forms of complementary medicine rely on specific herbs to manage hair loss caused by conditions like alopecia. People usually take these herbs by mouth, and they include:

• Saw palmetto

• Black cohosh

• Dong quai

• False unicorn root

• Chasteberry

• Red clover

Speak with your healthcare provider before starting any herbal treatments. These herbs are not officially approved for hair loss, and current research does not clearly confirm their effectiveness.

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Try Essential Oils That Support the Scalp

Although research is still limited, scientists have found that eucalyptus oil and several botanical extracts may help minimize hair shedding and boost hair thickness.

You can also experiment with these essential oils:

• Batana Oil (Elaeis Oleifera)

• Arnica montana

• Cedrus atlantica (Atlas cedarwood)

• Lavandula angustifolia (lavender)

• Ocimum sanctum (holy basil)

• Pilocarpus jaborandi

• Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary)

• Thymus vulgaris (common thyme)

Be Careful With Iodine if You Have Thyroid Issues

Individuals with autoimmune thyroid conditions need to monitor how much iodine they consume. The body relies on iodine to produce thyroid hormones, but excessive amounts can throw hormone levels off balance.

Seaweed varieties like kelp contain high iodine levels and might intensify symptoms such as hair thinning. Some multivitamins and even cough medicines may also include iodine, so check ingredient labels closely.

Handle Hair Gently While You Heal

You can possibly reduce hair shedding by handling your hair gently:

• Skip tight hairstyles like braids, ponytails, or buns that tug at the roots.

• Avoid yanking, twisting, or tugging on your strands.

• Use a wide-tooth comb instead of stiff brushes when detangling.

Making small changes to your hair care habits may prevent premature breakage and help strands stay in place until they shed naturally.

Manage Thyroid Hair Loss With Gentle, Plant-Based Care From Keyoma

Talk to your doctor before trying to manage hair loss on your own. In most cases, thyroid-related shedding does not begin until the condition becomes more advanced.

Hair thinning could also signal a different health problem. You might need prescription medication along with home remedies to encourage regrowth and address other symptoms.

With the right care, you may notice thicker, healthier hair within several months.