Yes Levothyroxine Can Cause Hair Loss
Hair loss can be one of the most frustrating symptoms associated with thyroid problems.
And thyroid-related hair loss is not just associated with low thyroid conditions but also high thyroid conditions as well.
Today, though, we will be focusing on hair loss associated with levothyroxine.
Levothyroxine is the most commonly prescribed thyroid medication out there right now.
In fact, it’s one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the United States.
Levothyroxine is used to treat patients who have LOW thyroid function so people who are taking this medication have hypothyroidism.
Levothyroxine is supposed to normalize thyroid function by providing your body with the very thing it needs if you don’t have enough thyroid hormone.
We know that one of the side effects of having LOW thyroid function is hair loss.
And with that in mind, we have a little bit of a problem:
How can it be the case that the very medication which is supposed to fix a low thyroid causes one of the symptoms associated with that very condition?
In other words, shouldn’t it be the case that treating a low thyroid will help your hair grow?
You would think so but it’s not quite that easy.
Today you will learn:
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Fight Hypothyroidism And Hair Loss With Natures Help
Take Dr Weils advice and try a shoulder pose called the shoulder stand . This pose increases the circulation to the thyroid, which should help with thyroid problems.
To do the shoulder stand
1. Lie on your back.
2. Keep your arms by your sides with the palms facing up.
3. Lift your legs until theyre at a right angle to the floor.
4. Lift up your hips until your chin is resting on your chest.
5. With your elbows and upper arms on the floor to support you, stretch your legs and torso as straight as you can and hold the position for as long as possible.
6. Repeat daily, holding the pose for longer and longer, until you can do it for 5 minutes at a time.
Check with your doctor that you are fit to do this pose!
You shouldnt do it if you have glaucoma, high blood pressure, sinus problems or are pregnant or menstruating.
Dr Weil also recommends using a visualization technique imagining the thyroid waking after a long period of rest and producing more thyroid hormone. It may sound silly but were big believers in the power of visualization. I actually visualized a slowly opening flower bud when in labor with one of my children and it both kept me in control and helped enormously with the pain.
As you can see, there are many positive steps you can take when dealing with hypothyroidism and hair loss. We hope youve found this information helpful and that your hair is soon on the road to recovery.
Hypothyroidism and Hair Loss: Other sources and references for more information
Hypothyroidism Hair Loss And Thinning Hair
Due to the long hair cycle, hair loss and thinning hair caused by thyroid disease shows itself several months after the onset of thyroid disease. In these cases, hair loss may follow treatment, causing people to incorrectly blame the medicine for the hair loss. This sequence often leads people to withdraw treatment, which in turn may actually worsen the thinning hair and hair fall.
Hair regrowth usually happens when thyroid hormones are adjusted, inflammation in the body is lowered, and when vitamin, mineral or fat deficiencies are corrected. This usually takes several months and may be incomplete.
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Best Diet And Foods For Hair Health
- Antioxidants: Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables and low in starch. Fruit and vegetables contain flavonoids, which are mostly antioxidants that protect the hair and promotes hair growth.
- Healthy Fats: Omega 3 fatty acids support thyroid hormones, nourish the hair follicles and stimulate growth of hair. They act as antioxidants and essential nutrients for the brain too, thus keeping you relaxed. Include foods as seeds, nuts, fatty fish and whole grains.
- Biotin: It is needed for healthy skin, hair and nails, and it can even reverse hair loss. Consume foods rich in biotin such as Brewers yeast, brown rice, bulgur, greens peas, lentils and oats are good sources of biotin.
- Minerals: Green leafy vegetables, pomegranate, amla, dried figs and dates are dense sources of required minerals as iron, calcium, zinc and copper that support the growth of hair follicles and stimulate blood circulation.
- Hair Growth: Consume foods that promote your digestive fire and help you to reduce inflammation. Some examples are: apple, berries, mangoes, oranges, avocados, asparagus, zucchini, cucumber, cabbage, celery, garlic, onions, sprouts, barley, oats and wheat.
Careful How You Treat The Problem
Regrowing hair is usually quite successful for most people with hypothyroid. However, you should know that it can take a long time months even and the regrowth may not be absolutely complete.14
Do keep in mind, though, that certain Ayurvedic formulations and herbal remedies can cause blood to thin and are best avoided by anyone who is already using a blood-thinning medication like aspirin or warfarin. This could cause dangerous levels of bleeding in the event of an injury.
Also check with your doctor for any interactions with any medications you are already taking for your thyroid problems or any other condition like a cardiac problem. There could be adverse reactions to some combinations of drugs and remedies.15
References
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Can Thyroid Issues Cause Hair Loss
Yes. Hair loss is one of the more distressing symptoms of thyroid disease. Some people experience âclumpsâ of hair falling out in the shower. While others just notice a generally thinner ponytail. But why does this happen?
Across the board, thyroid-related hair loss can be caused by abnormal hormonal imbalances and can impair the function of the hair follicles. However, itâs common that normal hair growth is restored once the hormonal abnormality is corrected.
Dealing With Thyroid Issues Is Difficult
Present-day medicine does have means of catching and treating this exhausting health issues. Unfortunately, even the most well-trained, well-meaning, and understanding doctors may have difficulties finding the right answers when it comes to dealing with thyroid issues.
This is why knowledge is so powerful when handling an underactive thyroid. Do your research thoroughly and look into multiple perspectives: both conventional and alternative.
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Thyroid Conditions And Hair Loss: What You Need To Know
Medically reviewed by Kristin Hall, FNP
Is your hair starting to look thinner than usual? Its common for men to experience some degree of hair loss at some point in our lives. In fact, one form of hair loss called androgenetic alopecia is thought to affect 50 million men in the United States alone.
While androgenetic alopecia is the most common type of hair loss men experience, hair loss can also occur as a result of certain medical conditions.
If you have a thyroid condition such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, its possible that this could contribute to hair loss. Thyroid conditions can also occur in conjunction with autoimmune diseases such as alopecia areata, which can affect the growth of your hair.
Hair loss from thyroid conditions can vary in severity, from mild diffuse thinning to almost total loss of hair on your scalp. Below, weve explained why and how thyroid-related hair loss occurs, as well as what you can do to treat hair loss thats caused by a thyroid condition.
How Long Does It Take Hair To Grow Back
What about expectations? I’ve come to learn that people are not too patient when it comes to hair regrowth.
And I don’t blame them one bit!
Which is why you should be aware of what to expect when you are trying to grow your hair back.
You should know that it takes WEEKS to MONTHS to see improvement in your hair growth if you have any sort of thyroid condition.
In fact, the minimum amount of time it takes to see improvement is usually around 6 weeks.
And it’s usually around this time that you start to see baby hairs start to grow back.
Don’t expect to see significant improvement in the density of your hair for at least 4-6 months.
Your ponytail should be thicker, your hair should be shinier, your eyebrows should be back, and so on.
But this all assumes that what you are doing are the RIGHT therapy and the CORRECT treatment.
It’s certainly possible for you to make changes you think might be working but not see any progress at all for months.
This is part of the trial and error process, so don’t be discouraged.
Because it takes so long, you may want to make more than one change at a time to see if you can see improvement faster.
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How To Treat Thyroid
If your healthcare provider diagnoses you with a thyroid condition, youll likely be prescribed medication to treat your condition.
For hypothyroidism, your healthcare provider may prescribe a synthetic thyroid hormone such as Levo-T® or Synthroid®. These medications work by bringing your thyroid hormones up to a normal level.
For hyperthyroidism, your healthcare provider may prescribe an anti-thyroid medication such as Tapazole® or propylthiouracil. These medications stop your thyroid gland from producing overly high levels of thyroid hormones.
Depending on your symptoms, treatment for hyperthyroidism may include radioactive iodine and/or beta-blockers. Severe cases of hyperthyroidism are occasionally treated by removing some or all of the thyroid gland in a procedure known as thyroidectomy.
Most of the time, thyroid-related hair loss resolves on its own after you successfully treat the underlying condition. After treating your thyroid condition, it can take several months for your hair to start growing again.
You might be able to speed up this growth using minoxidil, a topical medication that improves blood flow to the scalp. Because thyroid-related hair loss isnt caused by DHT, finasteride isnt effective at treating or preventing this form of hair loss.
Tell Me More: How To Know If Your Thyroid’s Causing Your Hair Loss
Losing your hair can be a symptom of many things. And, often, when people start to notice thinning hair or shedding, they wonder if theres something wrong with their thyroid gland. This concern isnt necessarily unwarrantedthyroid conditions such as hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Hashimotos disease, and Graves disease can cause hair loss, after all.
To explain the link between your thyroid gland and your hairand to help you figure out if your hair loss is, in fact, thyroid-relatedwe spoke to hair loss experts and Keeps medical advisors Dr. Jerry Shapiro and Dr. Antonella Tosti.
Thyroid disorders and excessive thyroid supplementation can cause increased hair shedding, also known as telogen effluvium , explains Dr. Tosti. This is because the thyroid hormones are directly involved with hair follicle functioning, thus affecting hair growth and strength. If you have an overactive or underactive thyroid for any reason, your thyroid hormone levels will be off and your hair will suffer.
Its worth noting that TE can also happen when someone experiences extreme stress, rapid weight loss, or a severe illness. So, if youre seeing signs of hair loss, you shouldnt automatically assume somethings wrong with your thyroid. And Dr. Shapiro adds that, even if you arent experiencing any of those other TE-inducing conditions, you shouldnt blame your thyroid right away.
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Seeing A Trichologist For Hair Loss Treatment Options
When it comes to hair loss, it’s important to seek professional help. Seeing a trichologist is one of the best ways to get to the bottom of the problem and find a solution. A trichologist is a specialist in hair and scalp health, so they can help you determine the cause of your hair loss and recommend a treatment plan.
What Are The Signs Of Thinning Eyebrows Due To Thyroid Conditions
An imbalance in the thyroid hormone can cause thinning eyebrows, which can look especially prominent toward the outer edges.
“When the thyroid is either overproducing or underproducing hormones, your hair follicles may not be stimulated as much they need to be, resulting in hair lossincluding body hair or eyebrows,” explained Shafipour. “One telltale sign of thyroid-related hair loss is losing eyebrow hair, starting on the outer third of your eyebrows, toward your ears.”
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Is Thyroid Disease Causing Your Hair Loss
Hair loss in women may be caused by a number of problems, including thyroid disease. Thyroid problems can also cause hair loss in men. The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate the metabolism, among other functions. Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can both cause hair loss. Hyperthyroidism refers to the overproduction of thyroid hormone, which can cause the hair to become very fine. It also results in thinning hair all over the scalp. You can hear more about hyperthyroidism and its role in causing hair loss when you watch this video.
This family physician also explains some of the other possible symptoms of thyroid problems to watch out for, such as weight changes. Hyperthyroidism isnt the only hormonal cause of balding, however. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces too little thyroid hormone. It can result in hair loss on the scalp and all over the body.
Other Causes Of Hypothyroidism
In some cases, hypothyroidism results from a problem with the pituitary gland, which is at the base of the brain. This gland produces thyroid-stimulating hormone , which tells the thyroid to do its job. If your pituitary gland does not produce enough TSH, levels of thyroid hormones will fall. Other causes of hypothyroidism include temporary inflammation of the thyroid or medications that affect thyroid function.
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Dont Suffer In Silence
Please dont suffer in silence because youre afraid of bothering the doctor this is their job! Be persistent, even if that means returning time and again until they prescribe something thats effective. If you have a doctor, who refuses to listen, fire him or her and find another one! Dont give up and remember youre not alone.
Hair Loss And Its Connection To Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is one of the main causes of hair loss in women. Your hair mirrors your health so when your body is in shock or under stress, hair cells may shut down. Hair cells are some of the fastest-growing cells in the body and any sign of stress will cause the body to assign and use energy elsewhere.
Hair regrowth usually happens when thyroid hormones are adjusted, inflammation in the body is lowered, and when vitamin, mineral or fat deficiencies are corrected. This usually takes several months and may be incomplete.
It is unusual for mild hypo or hyperthyroidism to cause hair loss however, nothing is impossible when it comes to thyroid disease. Some forms of hypo and hyperthyroidism come on abruptly and are diagnosed early. Others may be present for months or years before diagnosis.
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