Your hair will appear thin and sparse all over. Hair regrowth is possible once treatment is given and hormone levels are normalized. Since Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder that can affect your entire body, many of its symptoms can be difficult to reverse.
Symptoms of thyroid-related hair loss
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.
A: Yes, it could. A lot of people with thyroid dysfunction shed hair. Common thyroid conditions such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease are autoimmune disorders, which can sometimes result in hair loss. The hair loss is typically reversed after your thyroid hormone levels are normalized.
Symptoms of Hashimoto's Disease
The condition can also include a heightened sensitivity to cold, sudden weight gain, memory lapses, brittle nails and even hair loss. Hair loss caused by Hashimoto's is diffuse, with some hair shedding all over the scalp, rather than developing bare patches or bald spots.
Overt hypothyroidism or full-blown disease
The end-stage of Hashimoto's is when your thyroid has become so damaged that you no longer have enough thyroid hormones and have to go on medication.
If you have Hashimoto's, there are other steps you can take to promote hair regrowth and potentially prevent further hair loss. “When treating hair loss of any cause, I promote the use of biotin, topical minoxidil and platelet-rich plasma injections to the scalp,” Borsand says.
Zinc supplementation is often the best way to address a deficiency. In my survey of people with Hashimoto's, 18 percent did report that adding a zinc supplement to their diet improved their hair growth. The recommended dose is no more than 30 mg per day.
Biotin doesn't interfere with thyroid medication, but it can interfere with a thyroid blood test.
Using thyroid medications to rebalance your hormones may help replace the lost hair, even though it could take some time before you see new growth.
Some Hashimoto's disease face and thyroid disease symptoms to keep an eye out for include: Dull facial expressions. Slow speech. Swollen and puffy face.
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.
Hypothyroidism is a fairly common cause of hair loss, and hypothyroidism-related hair loss can also be reversible.
Hair loss with levothyroxine is common during the first month of treatment and is particularly common in children.
Only riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12 deficiencies have been associated with hair loss.
Your hair will grow back after treating the thyroid condition. However, the amount of time it will take for complete restoration is unpredictable. Treatment for thyroid hair loss may take several months for some people and less for others.
However, when choosing a supplement, patients with Hashimoto's disease should be careful of iodine content, as iodine excess can increase the risk of developing thyroid disorders as much as its deficiency.
Foods to Avoid
On the autoimmune protocol diet, you remove all grains, legumes, nightshades (such as eggplant and peppers), dairy, eggs, coffee, alcohol, sugar, oil and food additives from your diet.
T-4 hormone replacement therapy
Hypothyroidism associated with Hashimoto's disease is treated with a synthetic hormone called levothyroxine (Levoxyl, Synthroid, others). The synthetic hormone works like the T-4 hormone naturally produced by the thyroid.
Some people can be severely impacted by Hashimoto's disease if it is uncontrolled or if secondary health conditions arise. Suppose you are unable to work to support yourself and your family because of Hashimoto's. In that case, you may apply for disability benefits.
The 5 Stages of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - Dr.
Because the hormones produced by the thyroid are so vital to the body's functions, untreated Hashimoto's can lead to serious and even life-threatening complications. These include: Goiter (an enlarged thyroid that causes a visible swelling of the throat) High cholesterol.
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.
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].