Woman with Hair Loss and Thyroid Problems
Hair loss is relatively common in women, more common than one would imagine. The presentation, however, is much different than in men and the management of women with hair loss requires significant expertise in both diagnosis and treatment. For those women in whom surgical hair restoration is indicated, special surgical skills are required to achieve the best results. It is a mistake for a surgeon to assume that hair loss in women can be treated the same way as in men.The thyroid is an endocrine gland, which is located on both sides of the trachea. It secretes the thyroid hormone, known as thyroxin, which regulates the rate of the metabolism. Any disruption in the mechanism can have great impact on overall metabolic activities. Once the metabolism is disturbed, it has been found to cause a series of abnormalities, one being hair loss. Hypothyroidism has often been seen in women. It is often characterized by problems such as lethargy, menstrual imbalance and deceleration of metabolic rate. All of these factors contribute to hair loss. On the other hand, highly excessive functional activities of they thyroid gland, can also cause hair loss.
Hair Loss Can Be A Sign Of A Thyroid Problem
In the meantime, let’s start with the thyroid itself. It’s small, about an ounce, shaped like a butterly, and wraps around the trachea, behind and below the Adam’s apple area. And it’s your body’s metabolic engine, producing hormones that deliver energy to your cells. The thyroid can become overactive — hyperthyroidism — and that can cause many symptoms, including weight loss, anxiety, and…hair loss. And the more common thyroid problem is hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid, which can cause many troublesome symptoms, including weight gain, depression, fatigue, and…yes, hair loss.
You have a double combination of low thyroid and genetic hair loss. In women I have seen, when genetic hair loss is present and low thyroid precipitates more, even correcting the thyroid does not often help. Seeing another doctor may have value, but I am not hopeful. The appearance of menopause adds the third negative, which may or may not make you worse. The use of Rogaine Foam is a good choice and you will have to wait 1-2 years to see the benefits of this treatment. Sorry I can’t be more helpful. I am waiting for some drugs to be introduced or better research which may show us better what is happening to folks like you.
Hypothyroidism is a disorder that occurs when the thyroid system is underactive, meaning that the thyroid gland makes less thyroid hormone than the body needs perhaps because you are not eating enough food or are eating an imbalanced diet.
Reasons for hair loss in women
Stress
Stress can be responsible for hair loss in women, either physical stress such as after an illness or surgery, or emotional stress. The more common type of stress-induced hair loss is called telogen effluvium. This means the hair stops growing, is dormant and falls out in a few months. It later grows back after 6 to 9 months. The other kind of stress-induced hair loss happens when while blood cells attack the hair follicles. This is known as Androgenic alopecia areata. The hair usually falls out in patches but sometimes the whole scalp is affected and even body hair. The hair might grow back. If not, treatment will probably be required.
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