Understanding Hair Loss And Thyroid Disorders

By Lora Brown

It’s a funny thing, the thyroid gland. One doesn’t really think about it until they have a problem with it.

Hypothyroidism, when the thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormone, and hyperthyroidism, when the thyroid produces too much hormone, are common problems with an array of symptoms.

​Sadly, thyroid disorders are extremely common, especially in the United States. And, on top of fatigue and brain fog, women dealing with thyroid disease often complain of hair loss as one of their top symptoms.

Why Does the Thyroid Affect Hair Growth?
Thyroid disorders can be nasty. The truth is that every single part of your body requires thyroid hormone to function and those hormones have to be at optimal levels in order to keep everything in balance. The hair follicles are no exception. When the thyroid hormone is not at its optimal levels, the hair follicles begin to shut down rapid cell production and division. This can cause your hair to fall out and thin noticeably.

What Can I Do to Help My Hair?
If you notice hair loss or thinning in certain areas, your first stop should be your doctor. They can take blood to determine what might be causing your hair loss. If you do suffer from a thyroid disorder, it is possible to return your hormones to optimal levels restore your hair, or at least stave off any further loss.

Some have found that a healthy diet that excludes gluten and dairy, and a dose of Biotin can be helpful in speeding the process along. Hair regrowth can be a slow process, but keeping your thyroid levels in check and keeping your diet healthy can help immensely.

Hair Styling and Cuts
Another way to deal with thinning hair from thyroid disease is to change up your hair cut. Some women will notice thinning at the temples or around the crown of the head with thyroid disease. This type of thinning can be very concerning, but there are styles that can mask the hair loss while you go through the process of dealing with your thyroid disease.

When you are dealing with thinning hair, sometimes a shorter cut can help you feel a bit more beautiful. The heaviness of the length doesn’t pull down on the individual strands and cause your scalp to show through.  
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You are not alone and there are ways to bring your hair back to its former beauty. A good first step, after your doctor’s visit, is to visit the professionals at The Salon by Lora Brown. Our stylists can help you discover a style that makes you feel beautiful and confident.

​Some foods are proven to help strengthen the hair. Download our free infographic to see what to eat!

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