So, you’ve noticed some thinning, patchiness or balding that is undeniable. 

As much as you don’t want to admit it, your hair is starting to worsen and you are trying to come to terms with that.

But, what if your hair problem is pointing to something bigger?

The reason hair loss is considered such a travesty by many is because it makes you look less healthy and vibrant. 

When your hair is thin, dull and breaking, it can make you look older and weaker (we know it is hard to confront that, but it is a reality and should be addressed).

But sometimes it IS a sign that you are not healthy.

You might be doing all the right things, but there are internal conditions that could be causing it. 

Health problems, like Lupus, PCOS and thyroid issues often cause visible problems, like severe hair loss and thinning.

That is why it’s always important to see a doctor when you experience a physical mystery, like sudden and severe hair loss.

Only a doctor can treat and diagnose disease, but More Hair Naturally can help counteract the thinning hair your condition causing while you are being diagnosed and treated by a doctor. 

Could Thyroid Disease Cause Thinning Hair?

Your thyroid levels could absolutely be contributing to your hair loss.

The good news is: hair loss due to thyroid disorders is usually reversible as soon as you get the right treatment for your thyroid condition and take action to address the damage caused to the hair itself.

How Does Thyroid Disease Impact Hair?

When the T3 and T4 hormones aren’t functioning normally the hair growth cycle can be interrupted. 

An overactive thyroid may stop making the TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone) that triggers the T3 and T4 release that your body needs for many processes—including hair regrowth.

When the thyroid isn’t treated, these low levels will interrupt the hair growth cycle. 

This causes hair thinning over time because the hair isn’t being replaced like it should be.

It can affect your body hair, eyelashes and eyebrows as well.

You should ask your doctor to order a full thyroid panel that checks your TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone), free T3, free T4 and reverse T3. 

Looking at these levels can help determine if something is happening with your thyroid. 

Even with normal levels (like the TSH and T4), you could still have hair loss issues due to your thyroid hormone imbalance.

You will need to see an endocrinologist who understands the nuances of thyroid issues. 

Track all symptoms, including after you start medication.

How to Stop Hair Loss Due to Thyroid Issues?

 In order to stop the hormonal interference that is preventing hair regrowth, you need to balance your thyroid levels.

Your TSH and T4, in particular, need to be at optimal levels (not just “normal”).

It may help to also check your iron levels and boost your intake. 

Low iron levels will cause a lack in Ferritin—which is a blood protein that supports hair growth. 

Your thyroid issues may cause low Ferritin levels, which can contribute to your hair loss symptoms.

Increase your protein intake and healthy fats (like avocados, fish and coconut oil) in your diet since these are both important factors in supporting stronger and healthier hair.

Reduce your stress levels. Stress can disrupt your hormonal balance with a cortisol (the primary stress hormone) overload. 

Even if your thyroid levels are improving, your stress can still impact your hair growth cycles.

Feeling stressed with the balance of life, the frustration of hair loss and the fatigue of thyroid disease can cause hair loss months later, so be patient in reducing your stress levels and watching for future improvements.

Do I Have Thyroid Disease?

There are several different types of thyroid disease, including thyroiditis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, postpartum thyroiditis and more.

If you have an imbalance in hormone production, you may not notice at first. 

Over time, however, it will affect your whole body and you may start to notice frustrating symptoms, like hair loss and weight gain.

Understanding the types, causes and signs of thyroid disease may help you find answers to your health problems.

Types of Thyroid Disease

There are two main types of thyroid disease: hyperthyroidism (overproduction) and hypothyroidism (underproduction).

The conditions that frequently cause hypothyroidism include:

• Thyroiditis: Inflammation of the gland, causing lower hormone production.
• Postpartum thyroiditis: Occurs in 5-9% of women after giving birth and is usually temporary.
• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: An autoimmune condition that damages the thyroid.
• Non-functioning thyroid: In 1 out of 4,000 babies, the gland doesn’t work from birth.
• Iodine deficiency: Low iodine levels can affect the thyroid’s hormone production.

The conditions that frequently cause hyperthyroidism include:

• Thyroiditis: A disorder that might also cause an influx of released hormones that were stored.
• Graves’ disease (diffuse toxic goiter): A condition that causes the thyroid to overproduce.
• Nodules: Overactive nodules or a singular autonomously functioning nodule can cause imbalance.
• Excessive iodine: Medications and cough syrups full of iodine can cause the thyroid to overproduce.

Signs of Thyroid Imbalance

It is difficult to clearly diagnose thyroid disease from symptoms alone. 

But, knowing the signs can help you determine if you need to pursue testing.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

• Nervousness and anxiety
• Irritability and sleeplessness
• Unexplained loss of weight
• Heat sensitivity
• Vision problems or eye irritation
• Goiter or enlarged thyroid gland
• Irregular menstrual periods
• Muscle weakness or uncontrollable tremors

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:

• Fatigue or tiredness despite getting sleep
• Gaining weight despite healthy diet and exercise
• Forgetfulness or short term memory issues
• Cold temperature sensitivity
• Heavy and frequent menstrual periods
• Hoarse voice or dry/coarse hair

Diagnosing and Treating Thyroid Disease

In order to get answers, you will need to determine if your thyroid is skewing your hormone levels. 

The symptoms of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism and very similar to many other conditions and can be easily confused for various problems. 

To determine if you have thyroid issues, your doctor may use:

• Blood tests
• Physical exams
• Imaging tests

Your Road to Healthier Hair

If your thyroid is a problem, getting support from an endocrinologist is the first step to rectifying the problem and balancing your hormones.

As you are waiting for test results for a correct diagnosis, you can still support your hair with products designed to combat thinning hair issues.

Because More Hair Naturally is NOT a medicated hair product and uses all-natural ingredients that don’t enter the bloodstream, you can start these products immediately and they will not interfere with any medication your doctor subscribes. 

Don’t wait to find out what the underlying cause of hair loss is. 

Support your hair as you go through the testing, diagnosis and treatment.

Getting on top of the issues now will only help your hair bounce back faster when your thyroid hormones are balanced again.

To find out more about how our products help your hair, check out this page on our all-natural formulas.

 

*Disclaimer: Advice and recommendations given on this website or in personal consultation by phone, email, in-person, online coaching, or otherwise, is at the reader's sole discretion and risk. Information presented on this website is not to be interpreted as any kind of attempt to prescribe or practice medicine. These statements and information have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. No product offerings are intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. You should always consult with a competent, fully-informed medical professional or health practitioner when making decisions having to do with your health. This blog is for educational purposes only.