Three thyroid diseases cause hair loss

The development of hair follicles is affected by thyroid hormones. Dr. Tran Huu Thanh Tung, Department of Endocrinology – Diabetes, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said that thyroid hormone disorders can lead to hair loss. People with hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism may experience patchy hair loss or TE hair loss, which causes hair to be thinner than normal. TE hair loss occurs when there is a change in the hair growth cycle. Hair loss can also be an unwanted side effect of taking antithyroid drugs. In addition to hair loss, thyroid diseases can also cause hair loss in different locations on the body.

Thyroid hormone disorders disrupt the hair growth cycle, making it weak and prone to breakage. Thyroid diseases that lead to hair loss include:

Hypothyroidism: Thyroid dysfunction causes thyroid hormones to not be fully produced, slowing down the body’s metabolism, affecting the health of hair follicles, causing new hair to grow more slowly.

Hyperthyroidism: In contrast to hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid hormone production exceeds the body’s normal needs. Increased metabolism stimulates cells to work at high intensity, including hair follicle cells. Excessive metabolism causes the body to consume energy quickly, reducing blood supply and nutrients to the hair, leading to weak hair and hair loss.

Other thyroid diseasesThyroid cancer can cause hair loss or changes in hair texture such as dry, thin, brittle hair. In some rare cases, patients experience changes in hair color such as darkening or lightening due to disruption of melanin (the pigment that gives hair color) production.

According to Dr. Tung, to prevent hair loss due to thyroid disease, patients should maintain a good diet by adding more fish, dark green vegetables, beans and nuts, lean meat, milk, whole grains, liver, egg yolks, cheese, yogurt…

Supplement iodine in a balanced way according to your doctor’s instructions because this substance is necessary for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. If you are deficient in iodine, you should increase your diet with fish, shrimp, seaweed, seafood, etc. On the contrary, people with excess iodine should not eat these foods and limit iodized salt.

Reduce exposure to substances that affect the thyroid gland such as tobacco, alcohol, pesticides, asbestos, lithium… Spend time exercising, doing yoga, meditating to relieve stress and improve health. Regular health check-ups help detect health problems early.

Dr. Tung recommends that patients with unusual symptoms, especially in the neck area, should go to medical facilities specializing in Endocrinology for examination and screening for the risk of thyroid disease.