The Link Between Thyroid and Hair Loss

There are many different cause for hair loss in both the male and female population. This can be linked to stress, poor nutrition, smoking, pregnancy and even the disease process. Thyroid disease is one disease that effects the growth patterns of hair widely enough to cause significant hair loss.

Hair loss for thyroid patients is one of the most taxing symptoms. Whether it is due to the thyroid condition or the treatment being given for the thyroid disease, this remains a noticeable side effect. For patients who have trouble with their thyroid and hair loss, there are several ways to deal with the situation.

Dealing with Thyroid Related Hair Loss

The first place to concentrate is on the prescription medication being taken for the thyroid disease. This medication if given in the wrong dose, can cause significant levels of hair loss. Your prescribing physician, at times in conjunction with a hair expert, will be able to tell whether or not the thyroid and loss are linked.

If the medication is not to blame, it may just be a normal symptom of your thyroid disease. Many patients with thyroid problems, note having cyclical bouts of hair loss. Natural hair growth cycles include periods of heavy growth when hair can grow up to one half an inch a month. After this growing period the hair tends to rest or lay dormant until it is pushed out and replaced by a new hair from the same follicle. It seems just as hair growth cycles to a stop, more hair falls out when you suffer from thyroid disease than in those who do not.

Natural Treatments for Thyroid Related Hair Loss

When the thyroid patient first notices the hair loss, the time is right to treat the condition. There are several prescription choices , but many choose to turn to more natural remedies. Natural remedies for thyroid related hair loss include, evening primrose oil, lysine, natural DHT blockers and zinc supplementation.

If patients do desire to turn to prescription medications there are two main brand names on the market. Rogaine (also available in over the counter strengths) and Propecia are the two most popular prescription treatments for this in both men and women with thyroid disease. Thyroid patients who experience significant hair loss are not alone. Dealing with the hair loss must first begin with a doctor's evaluation, only to be followed by the proper treatment.

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Weight Loss - Hair Loss - Is There a Link Between Weight Loss and Hair Loss

There are various causes of hair loss and there is a question about the connection if there is one, between weight loss and hair loss. Understanding weight loss especially extreme weight loss or crash dieting is important when attempting to answer this question.

Weight Reduction

Most people have at some point in their lives wanted to or needed to lose weight. A healthy diet and exercise are the best ways to achieve weight loss though it may take longer than you want it to. In order to effectively lose weight, your body must burn more calories (units of energy) than it consumes.

Extreme weight loss through illness, eating disorders, or crash dieting is not a good way to go. Illness cannot be helped and when recovered the weight you lost may come back. With eating disorders or crash diets extreme amounts of weight is dropped in a short period of time.

This extreme weight loss is usually achieved through severely limiting food intake often at the expense of your health. In such cases there may be a loss of essential vitamins and minerals needed for good health including weight. These deficiencies are likely to be B vitamins especially B6, Biotin, and Niacin, as well as minerals including magnesium and sulfur. These can all be found in foods especially in fruits and in vegetables. Low iron in the blood may also be linked to hair loss. Iron rich foods include red meats, beans, dried fruits, and many cereals. A multi-vitamin with iron may be needed to replenish what the body has lost.

A physical exam and knowledge of the ideal weight for your height will let you and your doctor know whether you are too thin to be healthy. Once illnesses go away or eating disorders are stabilized hair quality may return or at least improve.

Hair Loss

Hair loss can be caused by heredity, illness, stress, or trauma. Medications may also play a part in hair loss. Typically once recovered hair may return to normal or improve. When medications such as chemo treatments are stopped you will experience new growth over time. The quality and color may change as it comes back.

Treatments can include something as simple as hairstyle changes, eating healthier, and exercising. Topical treatments are applied directly to the scalp. Finasteride and minoxidil are the two FDA approved treatments that achieve results. Oral medications including anti-inflammatories and anti-depressants might also be used to relieve conditions that are causing hair loss including scalp irritations and reduce the effects of stress.

The Link

Extreme weight loss such as that which results from eating disorders and crash dieting will likely rob the body of the vitamins and minerals necessary for over-all good health and specifically healthy hair. Once these things are replaced your hair's condition will likely improve.

Conclusion

Weight problems especially extreme weight loss may rob the body of what it needs to maintain healthy hair. While there are other causes for hair loss weight loss is a potentially dangerous cause. Without proper nutrients your body will not function as it should. Once restored to normal levels your over-all health and the condition of your hair will likely improve. If you have lost extreme amounts of weight a physical will help to rule out other causes. There are treatments available for weight loss and hair loss. Your doctor can be your best asset in getting back into good health.

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