Hypothyroidism is a cruel condition that plagues its victims with a seemingly never-ending list of symptoms. The women who walk through the door of my health center tell me about their fatigue, disappearing sex drive, unstoppable weight gain, forgetfulness, and thinning hair. Yep, even your luscious locks could be under attack if your thyroid isn’t pumping out enough T3 and T4 hormones.
I was surprised to find out that nearly 50% of women experience hair loss of hair thinning in their lifetime. The vast majority of cases are related to normal female pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) and usually affect women in their 50s and 60s. However, hair loss is also a very common symptom of hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Disease (the number one cause of hypothyroidism).
Researchers have discovered that T4 and T3 hormones released by the thyroid directly affect the cycle of hair growth and death. That means when the rate of T3 and T4 hormones released by the thyroid slows to a trickle, you’ll be finding a lot more hair in your shower drain each morning.
How Do You Know If Your Hair Loss is Due to a Thyroid Disorder?
One of the key ways to determine if your hair loss is due to a thyroid disorder is the check your eyebrows. When your levels of T3 and T4 drop, all of your hair will be affected, including your eyebrows. If you notice that your eyebrows are also thinning, then it’s time to be tested for a thyroid disorder. You may also notice other common symptoms of hypothyroidism just like the women who visit my office:
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Fatigue
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Low sex drive
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Weight gain
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Dry skin
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Depression
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Sensitivity to cold
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Brain fog/forgetfulness
If some or all of these symptoms are plaguing you, then it’s time to see your doctor to be tested for hypothyroidism. Or, better yet, get a full blood panel performed by a trustworthy, third-party lab (since your medical doctor may not order all the tests you really need).
Your Beautiful Hair Is Waiting For You
If you despair about looking in the mirror, take heart. As soon as you get your thyroid function under control, your hair will begin growing back (including your eyebrows). Within a few months, you should notice the patches of thinning hair filling in again with new baby hairs. Keep waiting, and one day you’ll be brushing long, glorious locks once again. Those who suffer from normal female pattern baldness aren’t so lucky!
Losing your hair is only one symptom of hypothyroidism, but it can affect the way you feel about yourself and your confidence in dealing with the outside world. You should feel beautiful and excited to walk out the door every day!
My thyroid philosophy is all about testing, not guessing, so get your thyroid tested today! Here is a list of third party labs that I personally recommend. Contact me for more information on obtaining tests and consultations no matter where you are located!