How thyroid gland affects your hair

When the body is under stress, its automatic response is to distribute the energy to a more important function such as healing. What happens then to the hair as an element of the integumentary system during prolonged stress? I will focus on the relevance of the thyroid gland and how it affects hair growth. The thyroid gland secretes two iodine-derivative hormones into the bloodstream.

These are triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). They are responsible for metabolism at the cellular level. A normal functioning thyroid promotes equal distribution of nutrients to all parts of the body. As we all know, a healthy person shows signs of physical vigour and is radiant in their appearance, which includes, of course, healthy looking hair.

Now, you must note that the body has an automatic response when it comes to physical trauma or major surgeries. It only makes sense that if the body has recuperated, it should go back to its normal state. However, this isn’t the case if your hair loss is the result of a thyroid issue. The type of hair loss that is mostly seen in people with thyroid imbalance is diffused hair loss, which may affect not only the hair and scalp but also the hair on other parts of the body.

The common problem of thyroid imbalances is that, its manifestations are sometimes masked by symptoms of other health conditions, such as weight gain or weight loss, which can be seen in people with diabetes. The longer it takes for the real problem to be diagnosed, the greater will be the health risks. Sometimes, people are only diagnosed with thyroid problems after the appearance of severe symptoms. One such symptom may be hair loss. This is the reason why I am stressing the importance of early detection and diagnosis for thyroid imbalance. I always encourage clients to have complete blood analysis, even for simple diseases, since the results often help us to connect the dots and draw out the most appropriate treatment plan.

Your hair cannot cope with much stress. As you know, too much of anything for too long can have negative effects. As explained earlier, thyroid hormones regulate metabolism for cellular nourishment. If there is a prolonged imbalance to these hormone levels, the amount of nutrients needed by the cells will be delayed, affecting the integumentary system. This includes the hair, skin and nails. These are less vital organs, when compared to the nervous, cardiac or respiratory systems. It is because of this mechanism that persons will experience hair loss. Is hair loss related to thyroid dysfunction treatable? Yes! The main key is to correct the imbalance.

There are several medical therapeutic treatments available.

These include medications, diet, hydration, and exercises. It is essential that these protocols be followed even at home. You must note though, that even if the person is already taking medications to correct the imbalance, hair loss can still be evident. This is why some people will stop therapy because of adverse effects on their hair growth cycle. You have to remember that hair growth is a long cycle; it takes a while for new healthy hair to grow. It is important to continue your recommended medication for the thyroid issue to ensure relief from the real underlying condition and symptoms.

Always remember that your hair is the most rapid growing tissue in the human body and may be the first casualty of many illnesses.

Germaine Williams-Beckles Doctor of Trichology (DT TCT) Nutrition Consultant (NC) Rayogee Wellness Lifestyle Woodbrook, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad WI Website: geesexclusive.com Contact: 1-868-627-4659