Many people worry that all of their hair will fall out, but the truth is that hair loss caused by thyroid disorders is usually temporary and can be reversed, especially if you work with your endocrinologist to get tested and on the right treatment for your condition.
Official answer. Yes, levothyroxine, the main treatment for a sluggish thyroid gland, may cause hair loss in addition to other side effects. You may experience partial hair loss in the first few months of treatment, but this usually resolves and hair growth goes back to normal within a short time.
Hair loss may develop slowly with hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. You won't necessarily notice patches missing or bald spots. Instead, your hair may seem thinner all over. You lose between 50 and 100 hairs from your head each day.
Only riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12 deficiencies have been associated with hair loss.
Thyroid-related hair loss will usually improve once a doctor treats the underlying health condition. According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, hair shedding decreases 6 to 8 months after treatment.
Biotin is a common component of multivitamin preparations and at high doses it has been reported to cause interference in immunoassays resulting in abnormal thyroid function tests [2].
Treatment for thyroid-related hair loss usually involves being properly medicated for the condition. In most cases, getting your thyroid hormones adjusted will reverse the hair loss,3 though it may take several months for the hair to grow back.
Hair loss (alopecia) can affect just your scalp or your entire body, and it can be temporary or permanent. It can be the result of heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions or a normal part of aging. Anyone can lose hair on their head, but it's more common in men.
Most people who notice more hair loss after starting levothyroxine find that it lasts only a month or two. Additional shedding sometimes happens because the hormones need time to stabilize.
Regardless, research has indicated that a vitamin B12 deficiency can negatively affect those living with hypothyroidism, and that both deficiencies can go unnoticed if the proper tests are not performed.
Vitamin D. Low vitamin D levels are associated with an increased risk of developing autoimmune thyroid diseases such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis (when immune cells attack the thyroid) and Graves' disease (a condition that leads to thyroid hormone overproduction).
It's commonly taken for its hair, skin, and nail benefits. Biotin doesn't interfere with thyroid medication, but it can interfere with a thyroid blood test. Stop taking biotin at least 2 days before doing a TSH blood test.
Treating Thyroid Disease and Hair Loss
The good news is that once you get your thyroid disease diagnosed and the right treatment is prescribed to regulate thyroid hormone levels, the hair loss problem should resolve itself. Healthy hormone levels mean healthy hair growth.
According to Armani, thyroid hormones help regulate metabolism, heart rate, and your overall mood. It also affects the rate at which the body uses oxygen and energy, which can also affect hair and nail growth. This type of hair loss is called telogen effluvium.
1. Biotin. Biotin (vitamin B7) is important for cells inside your body. Low levels of it can cause hair loss, skin rashes, and brittle nails.
“Vitamins are essential for healthy hair growth and may help in preventing hair shedding and thinning,” says Michele Green, M.D., a cosmetic dermatologist in New York. “The best vitamins for hair growth include B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E, zinc, biotin and iron.
Thyroid disorders can have a noticeable impact on your energy level and mood. Hypothyroidism tends to make people feel tired, sluggish, and depressed. Hyperthyroidism can cause anxiety, problems sleeping, restlessness, and irritability.
Severe and prolonged hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause loss of hair. The loss is diffuse and involves the entire scalp rather than discrete areas. The hair appears uniformly sparse.