Hair loss can be a distressing symptom for those with thyroid disorders like hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s disease, or post-thyroidectomy. In this video, I share 7 of the most common causes of hair loss in thyroid patients and provide tips to help regrow your hair.
Optimize Your Thyroid Medication
Your thyroid medication itself can contribute to hair loss in 3 key ways:
The Medication Itself Can Cause Hair Loss
All thyroid medications, including synthetic T4, natural desiccated thyroid, and T3, have the potential to cause hair loss as a side effect. The good news is that even medications within the same class often won’t all cause hair loss for an individual.
Being on too low a dose keeps you functionally hypothyroid, which can cause hair loss. Ensure your thyroid labs are optimized and your dose is sufficient before assuming medication is causing your hair loss.
Conversely, being on too high a dose can induce hyperthyroidism, another potential cause of hair loss. Carefully monitor your labs and symptoms, and lower your dose if needed. Excessively high doses of natural desiccated thyroid are particularly problematic.
Get Checked Your Iron and Ferritin
Iron and ferritin deficiencies are very common in hypothyroidism, and low ferritin is a major contributor to hair loss.
Ferritin helps hair grow in two ways:
- Your hair follicles need ferritin directly in order to produce hair.
- Ferritin is required for proper thyroid hormone function at the cellular level.
Many women with heavy menstrual bleeding develop iron/ferritin deficiency. Also, hypothyroidism impairs iron absorption and causes low ferritin levels.
Aim for a ferritin level between 50-70 ng/mL for optimal hair regrowth. Work with your doctor to supplement if your ferritin is below 30 ng/mL.
Watch Your Intake of Biotin and Selenium
While biotin and selenium deficiency can cause hair loss, high doses of these supplements can also trigger hair loss in some individuals.
If you’ve been taking more than 200-300 mcg selenium or more than 2,500 mcg biotin for months with no improvement, try lowering your intake. Moderation is key.
Check for Deficiencies in Zinc and B12
Like other nutrients, low levels of zinc and B12 can contribute to hair thinning and loss.
Getting sufficient zinc and B12 is especially important for thyroid patients, as deficiencies are very common.
Supplementing with zinc and B12 to optimize levels is generally safe and helpful for hair regrowth.
Evaluate Your Androgens
Excess androgens like testosterone and DHEA-S cause hair loss through male pattern balding in susceptible individuals.
High androgens are common in thyroid disorders like Hashimoto’s due to imbalances in sex hormone regulation. Lowering androgens and DHEA can help.
Balance Estrogen and Progesterone
Thyroid disorders frequently cause estrogen dominance, with low progesterone relative to estrogen. This hormonal imbalance can trigger hair loss.
Correcting your estrogen to progesterone ratio through nutrition, supplements, or bioidentical hormones may be necessary to regrow hair.
Check for Autoimmune Alopecia
Many thyroid patients have multiple autoimmune conditions. One is alopecia areata, which causes patchy hair loss when the immune system attacks hair follicles.
Improving gut health, reducing inflammation, and taking supplements like zinc to calm the autoimmune response are some of the best ways to combat autoimmune alopecia.
Other Factors That Contribute to Hair Loss
While thyroid disorders, nutrient deficiencies, and hormonal imbalances are among the most common causes, other factors can also be at play:
- Severe or chronic stress – Stress raises cortisol and triggers hair shedding. Manage stress through meditation, yoga, therapy, etc.
- Medications – Birth control, blood pressure meds, and certain psychiatric drugs are known to cause hair loss.
- Toxins – Environmental toxins and heavy metals impair follicle function. Do a detox diet annually.
- Scalp issues – Fungal infections and conditions like seborrheic dermatitis cause inflammation and hair shedding.
- Genetics – Androgenetic alopecia runs in families. Minoxidil and laser caps can help regrow hair.
Regrowing Your Hair
I hope these tips give you a framework for troubleshooting and reversing thyroid-related hair loss. Getting your thyroid medication, nutrients, and hormones balanced is key, but also look out for hidden factors like autoimmunity, scalp issues, and medications.
With some trial and error to find what works for you, regrowing a lush head of hair is very possible. Don’t give up hope! Let me know what has helped your hair loss journey.