How Thyroid Conditions Lead to Female Hair Loss
Here at Chicago Hair Institute, we have solutions that can address male pattern baldness as well as women's hair loss and thinning. Hair loss is quite different along gender lines, which is why it's essential to tailor treatment to each patient and their needs.
Sometimes hair loss is linked to internal body chemistry changes and imbalances, a matter we considered in a previous blog post about hormones. Right now we'd like to explore a more specific issue regarding hair loss and hormones: thyroid conditions.
Thyroid Problems Explained
The thyroid gland (one of the largest endocrine glands in the human body) is located at the base of a person's neck. The thyroid is essential for proper body function, secreting hormones to regulate body temperature, blood pressure, and so forth.
A thyroid condition refers to improper function of the thyroid when it comes to proper regulation and secretion of hormones. Some common examples of thyroid conditions include:
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Hyperthyroidism – Hyperthyroidism refers to a person's thyroid being overactive, producing too much of the hormone known as thyroxine.
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Hypothyroidism – Hypothyroidism, on the other hand, occurs when your thyroid doesn't produce enough of certain hormones.
The American Thyroid Associated (ATA) estimates that 20 million Americans face some sort of thyroid disorder, and the problem is more common in women than men.
Why Thyroid Issues Cause Hair Loss
Hormones are crucial for proper hair growth and hair health. When your hormone levels are thrown off, it can cause your hair to become thin and brittle, making it more likely to fall out. In addition, changes in hormone levels can lead to problems with the growth phases of your hair. Hair follicles may shift into a resting phase of hair growth, which can result in noticeable hair loss and hair thinning.
Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can lead to hair loss.
Other Symptoms of Thyroid Conditions
In addition to hair loss and hair thinning, thyroid conditions can also result in:
- Changes in weight
- Fatigue
- Sleep problems
- Muscle pain
- Joint pain
Is Hair Restoration Treatment Necessary for Thyroid Condition Hair Loss?
No.
In the vast majority of cases, treating the thyroid condition itself can result in hair regrowth and improvements in hair quality. Treating hyperthyroidism may involve the use of anti-thyroid medications to help bring hormone levels and thyroid activity back under control. For hypothyroidism, medications are typically recommended to help address issues with hormone level changes.
In some circumstances, thyroid surgery may be needed to deal with a thyroid condition.
Options for Treating Female Hair Loss
If you are dealing with temporary or lasting female hair loss, we can help determine the ideal treatment option to meet your needs. Not all instances of female hair loss require surgical intervention. In fact, non-surgical hair loss solutions are sometimes more ideal given how thinning and balding in women differs a great deal from the balding and thinning in men.
We can discuss treatment options for your hair loss in greater detail during your visit to the practice.
Contact the Chicago Hair Institute
To learn more about the causes of hair loss and how we can help you have a fuller and natural-looking head of hair, be sure to contact our hair transplant and restoration center today. The team at Chicago Hair Institute is here to help you with customized care.