What is Thyroid Hair Loss?

Thyroid hair loss is a very common symptom of thyroid disease which can occur in people with hyperthyroid or hypothyroid conditions. In fact, hair loss can sometimes be one of the first symptoms to emerge, and it is sometimes the key to early diagnosis. There are a number of ways in which people can deal with thyroid hair loss and patients should remember that even if hair loss is just a symptom, if it is traumatizing, a doctor should be willing to treat it as a serious issue in addition to addressing the disease which is causing the problem.

When the thyroid produces too much or too little of the hormones it is responsible for making, hair loss can occur on the head and with body hair. People can also experience changes in hair texture, even if they do not lose their hair. Thyroid hair loss typically takes the form of loss of large clumps of hair, and the hair may feel coarse and brittle, with dull appearance. For someone who is already aware of a thyroid problem, hair loss may not be a big surprise, but if hair loss appears in someone who is not aware of an underlying medical condition, he or she should seek medical attention to seek out the cause.

Addressing the thyroid disease can often put a stop to thyroid hair loss. However, some thyroid medications will actually promote hair loss, in which case it may be necessary to change or adjust medications. Patients who are concerned about thyroid hair loss should address the issue with their doctor to ensure that their hair is kept in mind when treatment options are discussed and evaluated.

Even if a thyroid condition appears to be the cause of hair loss, it is a good idea to consult a dermatologist or hair loss specialist. A specialist can confirm that the thyroid is the problem, ruling out other underlying conditions which can cause hair loss. He or she can also provide suggestions and treatment options to reduce or conceal the loss of hair.

Options for managing thyroid hair loss include embracing it and going entirely bald, or using measures to conceal it. Wigs can be worn to hide thinning hair or bald heads, and people can also take advantage of hair transplants, or weaves, which will add fullness to a head of hair and conceal hair loss. Some people feel awkward or uncomfortable when they experience hair loss related to a medical problem, and they may prefer to take steps to conceal it to avoid attention and questions.