Can A Thyroid Problem Lead To Hair Loss?

Genetics are the most commonly associated cause of hair loss in individuals, but there can be other causes. So, can a thyroid problem lead to hair loss as well?

The thyroid is a gland located in the front of your neck. It secretes hormones that regulate the metabolism of your body. Metabolism has to do with how quickly you burn the energy you consume and store in the form of fat. The measure of the energy is known as the calorie, perhaps one of the more misunderstood measurements in the history of mankind given all the fad diets that are pure junk on the market.

The thyroid is part of the organic mechanism known as your body. Like any mechanism, it can “go bad”. There are two general results when this happens. If the thyroid starts producing excessive hormone, they person’s metabolism will speed up. A common symptom of hyperactive thyroid is weight loss. In contrast, a thyroid that produces insufficient hormone amounts will slow the metabolism of the body, which can result in weight gain.

So, what about the relationship between the performance of the thyroid and one’s hair? Can an out of whack thyroid produce hair loss? The short answer is it depends on the problem. If you have a hyperactive thyroid [produces excessive hormone], then it is unlikely that your hair loss is a result. That being said, thinning hair is a common trait, so there can still be an effect.



What if your thyroid is not producing sufficient hormone amounts? Ah, now we get into a problem area. Insufficient hormone leads to a very slow metabolism. This causes many changes to the body. One is the hair becomes very coarse. As this happens, it can start falling out as well. In short, the loss of hair can be caused by a thyroid problem.

If you suspect a thyroid problem might be at the root of your hair loss, consulting with a doctor makes sense. To be honest, you should have a number of other symptoms as well.

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