Once upon a time, your hair was strong. It was luscious…and it resided mostly on your head.
Lost so much hair from thyroid issues that you’re surprised your shower drain even works these days? Then, it’s time to check out these 11 remedies to reverse thyroid hair loss and grow your hair today.
Find the answers to why your hair has said audios and what to do to make sure it returns sooner rather than later.
“Why is My Hair Falling Out?!” Reasons for Thyroid Hair Loss
Thyroid hair loss—it’s frustrating, terrifying and just downright unfair.
In your 20’s, you’d cry over bad hair days. Today, you’d weep tears of sheer joy just to have those hairs back! Sound familiar?
While all the symptoms of thyroid issues are unpleasant, the “hair today, gone tomorrow” factor is enough to make you…err…pull your hair out.
But, why is this happening? Perhaps more importantly, how do you reverse thyroid hair loss? First, let’s take a look at a few reasons you may experience hair loss.
Alopecia and other Autoimmune Diseases
Alopecia is an autoimmune disease that can cause hair loss in round patches on the head and other parts of the body. It may also cause complete hair loss. Alopecia is related to thyroid issues like Hashimoto’s.
Other autoimmune diseases such as lupus and untreated celiac disease may lead to hair loss.
High Testosterone
Got PCOS? Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or even just high testosterone levels could be playing a role in hair loss. Why might testosterone be high? Insulin resistance, an imbalance of estrogen and progesterone, or high cortisol may be at play.
Menopause and Perimenopause
Fluctuating hormones during menopause and perimenopause lead to hair loss, as well. Dropping estrogen and progesterone might mean slower hair growth and thinning hair.
Insufficient Amounts of Thyroid Hormone
Is your thyroid hormone production more like a dribble than a steady stream? Insufficient amounts of active thyroid hormone T3 means there’s a bit of rationing for your body’s processes. Non-essentials like hair growth gets cut. When a hair falls out, instead of a new hair growing in its place, you end up with thinning. Hair loss can occur from your eyebrows as well as from on top of your (former) crowning glory.
It’s not just hair loss, either.
Here are some additional ways low thyroid function affects hair:
- Dryness
- Brittleness
- Breaking
- Decreased Hair Growth
Sigh. Thanks a lot, hypothyroidism.
If you’re on a T4-only thyroid medication for hypothyroidism, switching to a natural desiccated formula might be your ticket to hair regrowth.
Too Much Thyroid Hormone
Similarly, too much thyroid hormone is bad for your hair. If your thyroid replacement medication was recently increased or you switched brands of thyroid medications, hair thinning may be a sign you’ve reach a hyperthyroid state. The amount of thyroid hormone in your body directly affects how your hair follicles work. Find the sweet spot between too much and not enough.
Consequently, you could totally be taking thyroid medication and still be losing hair because you are on the wrong dose.
Newsflash! Until you find that Goldilocks amount, your Rapunzel dreams are but a fairytale.
Unpleasant Side Effects of Medications used to Reverse Thyroid Hair Loss
Ask Dr. Google what to do about your disappearing hair, and you may get advice for topical treatments like Rogaine. However, even as Americans spend $3.5 billion a year on hair loss products, it is reported that 99 percent of these don’t work. Plus, the long term effects of minoxidil-containing hair treatments are unknown.
Also, when hair does grow back, watch out! It could be different in color and may even appear in unwanted areas of your face. Remember those three little piggies and the hairs on their chinny-chin-chins?
The natural approach to hair loss is to support the body, bringing it back into alignment. Here’s a few ways you can give it all the tools needed to do its job.
11 Science-Backed Remedies to Reverse Thyroid Hair Loss
Ready to regrow your hair naturally and reverse hair loss for good? Consider these 11 remedies, and get growing!
1. Evening Primrose
First, let’s look at evening primrose as a remedy to reverse thyroid hair loss. A North American wildflower, evening primrose contains essential fatty acids needed for hair growth. According to a 2012 double-blind, placebo controlled trial, participants supplementing with evening primrose experienced increased eyebrow growth, lash growth and overall hair growth, in three to six months.
Note, evening primrose is high in omega 6 so be mindful of your overall omega 3 to omega 6 ratio.
2. Biotin
Next, biotin also known as B7 can help with hair growth after thyroid hair loss. This 2017 review of biotin looked at 18 case reports and clinical trials using the vitamin and found biotin to bring favorable results for hair and nail growth.
However, be cautious when using biotin. You need alpha lipoic acid, as well. The two work in conjunction to act on mitochondria for effectiveness. Also, be aware that egg whites compete with receptor sites for biotin.
Biotin is manufactured naturally in the digestive tract; working on gut health is also beneficial. Designs for Health’s B-Supreme contains biotin along with folate, beneficial for those with MTHFR who cannot properly metabolize synthetic folic acid.
Food tip: Maybe skip the egg-white-only omelette and monitor intake to get the most out of your biotin supplement.
3. Green Tea
Another remedy for thyroid hair loss is packed with polyphenols and is perfect for sipping. Green tea is full of antioxidants, decreasing free radicals. Also, it inhibits DHT, the testosterone metabolite that causes hair loss in men and women. The rich polyphenols in green tea have been studied for hair growth.
Food tip: To get the most bang for your buck, be sure to pour boiling water over your green tea bag, not just hot water. Then, let it set for 10 minutes. This ensures a greater number of polyphenols are present in your cup!
4. Iron
Do you know your iron levels? Specifically, look at the storage form of iron called ferritin.
If you don’t have enough storage of iron, you’ll have problems circulating oxygen around your system. This study showed that those with hair loss had 40 percent less oxygen than those without hair loss.
With normal ranges or iron and ferritin levels, you want green leafy vegetables and meat. A natural iron supplement from plants, or liquid supplement is prefered. It’s easier to digest and won’t make you constipated.
Food tip: Adding foods rich in vitamin C such as strawberries and broccoli may help you absorb more of the dietary iron you consume.
5. Lysine
Also, thyroid hair loss may be reversed using lysine. Lysine is an essential amino acid that gives hair its shape and form. This study looked at using it and other nutrients to promote hair growth in menopausal women.
Lysine helps increase calcium absorption. Also, it’s great for skin. Lysine use with vitamin C have been studied for improved skin appearance with less wrinkles.
Food tip: Natural sources of lysine include fish, turkey, nuts and other meats.
6. Arginine
Another remedy worth considering when looking grow back hair is arginine. Arginine is a precursor to nitric oxide. It increases energy level and blood vessels. Consuming arginine can encourage new hair growth.
Food tip: Arginine is really high in nuts. But beware, too much can create fever blisters, cold sores and herpes. Good news! If this happens, the antidote is lysine.
7. Saw Palmetto
Saw Palmetto inhibits the conversion of testosterone to DHT. This herb has been studied as an alternative to hair loss treatment drugs like minoxidil which may cause burning, allergic reactions and decreased libido.
8. MSM
MSM, also known as methylsulfonylmethane, is a sulfur compound. While not well studied for hair growth, it is mentioned in literature for remedy for hair loss, maintaining proper keratin levels in hair, skin and nails.
Food tip: MSM is present in onions and garlic; however, a deficiency of sulfur in the soil may affect the amount present in foods.
9. Topical Onion Juice
In addition to the remedies listed above, you may want to investigate this rather novel remedy to reverse thyroid hair loss: topical onion juice.
You read that right. A 2014 study in the Journal of Dermatology features this gem. In the study, men and women that applied onion juice to the scalp twice a day and in 6 weeks, 90 percent of people had hair growth!
However, the study does not mention how many times the onion-juice-wearers had to sleep on the couch!
10. Zinc
Studies have found zinc to promote hair growth. Also, it supports immune system functioning. The 23rd most abundant element in the earth, zinc helps with taste and smell.
Food tip: Oysters are high in zinc and may give your libido a boost, too.
11. Stinging Nettles
Lastly, stinging nettles may promote hair growth by inhibiting DHT. Nettles are rich in antioxidants including polyphenols. This Chinese herb is known for the various ways it combats inflammation.
Food tip: Try a cup of stinging nettles tea!
Support Hair Growth and Whole Body Health Each Day
As you look at the remedies above, also consider supporting your body with these lifestyle tips.
Healing foods
An anti-inflammatory diet full of healthy fats and low in inflammatory grains with quality protein can serve your body well. A diet that supports stable blood sugar with lower glycemic foods can aid in thyroid conversion and hair health, as well. Also, consider consuming fatty fish like wild caught salmon or taking an omega 3 fish oil supplement to support hair health and shine.
Stress management
Do you feel tension in your neck? Throbbing in your temples? Find ways to release the stress each day.
Stress means rising cortisol levels which can also contribute to hair loss! What lowers your stress levels? Maybe it’s a few minutes of belly breathing, mindfulness meditation or prayer. Maybe it’s a walk under the stars, a cup of chamomile tea or watching a comedy.
Healing thoughts
While you may not believe that you are what you eat, to a very large degree, you are what you think. Your brain responds to what you believe. Take a moment to evaluate your thought patterns as you stand in front of the mirror, brush in hand. Instead of a panicked cascade of “I’m falling apart!” shift focus to remind yourself of all the ways you’re supporting your body.
Reversing Thyroid Hair Loss Takes Time
On average, it takes 6-9 months for hair growth to come back. Hair growth is usually the last thing to return when you’re getting your body back in balance. But, take heart. Over time you should be able to see baby hairs coming back bit-by-bit.
Need extra support? Don’t pull out anymore precious hair trying to figure out solutions to your thyroid issues on your own! Why not set up a FREE clarity call! Let’s chat and get to the root of your mysterious symptoms for good. In the meantime, check out these powerful thyroid truths!
