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[T904]Thyroid Problems Hair Loss

by Andrew Long, And

Of course, a thyroid illness is not the only reason for sudden hair loss; infection, major changes in diet, hormonal changes – even stress, can all bring this on. However, if you do suddenly start losing hair at an abnormal rate, then you should take rapid action to investigate the cause, as it could turn out to be something quite significant.The thyroid gland, of course, secretes thyroxin, which helps regulate the body’s metabolism. Any major changes in metabolism can bring on abnormalities – hair loss included. Thyroid malfunctions can essentially lead to hair follicles remaining shut down, resulting in hair loss.The good news for most people is that this hair loss will slow down and probably even stop totally with the correct treatment of the thyroid problem – be it treatment for an overactive or an underactive thyroid. Once you have had your hormone levels stabilised and restored to within the acceptable range, you should notice an improvement, although this might take a few months to become significant. It would be very unusual for rapid hair loss to continue after treatment, although it is possible. For example, if you are suffering from male pattern hair loss – which some women can also experience – and the loss is mainly confined to the temple and very top of the head, this is almost certainly because the testosterone in these places is being changed into dihydrotestosterone by enzyme action. This will cause the loss of hair follicles. In the thyroid treatments administered to some people, this conversion process could actually be speeded up. If this does happen, then a consultation with your specialist should be able to resolve the problem.In a similar manner, if you are taking medication for hypothyroidism some of the prescribed medicines – levothyroxine, for example, - have hair loss as a stated possible side effect. Again, it should be possible to change the medication to something more suitable.It is also worth considering examining alternative treatments to help nourish and replenish the hair during the thyroid treatment. For example, many experts recommend the use of Evening Primrose Oil for those suffering from excessive conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. This acts as an inhibitor to the conversion process. Additionally, it is acknowledged that iron is a significant element in the metabolic process and many people suffering hair loss are iron deficient. The amino acid Lysine helps transport iron and can be found in fish, eggs and meat; eating these, therefore, could be of assistance. Similarly, other natural methods of helping counter the hair loss problems include Vitamin B6, Zinc and Green Tea amongst others.For many, hair loss is one of the most disconcerting – even perhaps frightening – aspects of suffering from thyroid problems but, in the vast majority of instances, it is not a problem that cannot be surmounted.

It is a problem afflicting millions of men worldwide and the commencement of male pattern baldness can be one of the most stressful things to happen in a man's life. I started losing my hair when I was in my early twenties. My grandfather lost his hair in his early twenties and it was suggested to me by my family that I should just resign myself to the fact that I would be bald and stop worrying about it! My grandmother, making her best attempt to be helpful, proffered that "toupees are quite realistic these days you know." The last thing that a vain 23 year old wants to hear is that he is going to have to get a rug for his head!

Contrary to the suggestion of my family, I was not going to just accept my fate to become a slap-head before I was thirty! I thought that there must have been some sort of medical advances out there, short of a hair transplant. This was the 1990s afterall! We had cures for all sorts of conditions so why not hair loss? At the risk of being laughed at, I decided to visit my GP to see if there was anything that she could prescribe. To my amazement there was a product called Regaine which is a topical solution which required to be applied to the scalp twice a day. This certainly stabilised my hair loss but it did not encourage new hair growth which is what I was really seeking.

On a trip to the United States I saw a Television advert for a product called . This was a prescription medication which the manufacturer claimed could reverse hair loss. As it was FDA approved, this claim must have been based on empirical evidence from clinic trials. This must, I thought, be the holy grail of all men genetically predisposed to losing their hair. Immediately on my return to the UK I went to see my GP and asked her to prescribe this medication. She was very happy to write the prescription but the medication was not licensed in the UK and the manufacturer would not send a supply to her. Frustrated but undaunted, I got on a plane and went to Atlanta, signed on with a physician, got a 6 month prescription and headed home. The product worked! Within 6 months I was beginning to see less of my scalp and more hairs on my head! Until it was licensed in the UK I made 2 trips a year to Atlanta to get my repeat prescriptions. I now have a full head of hair and no longer worry about losing it!

Propecia, like a lot of other drugs, was discovered by accident. Finasteride, the active ingredient present in Propecia, was original developed to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate.) Patients being treated with Finasteride began to notice that they we re-growing hair that was lost years before. Further trials confirmed the original anecdotal evidence.

Male pattern baldness is caused by a naturally occurring hormone called dihydratestosterone (DHT) which attacks the hair follicles in the scalp, causing hair production to slow down and in some cases, cease altogether. Bizarrely, DHT can actually encourage hair growth on other parts of the body such as the chest, back and nostrils. Propecia inhibits the production of DHT and can lead to the re-growth of scalp hair.

Propecia is not suitable for everyone and anyone over the age of 45 should ask their GP for a PSA test to check for prostate problems prior to commencing a course of treatment. Them medication is available from most online pharmacies. This normally works out considerably cheaper than consulting a specialist hair loss clinic. I buy mine from The Online Clinic.

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Both Andrew Long & Ronaldwidburn are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Andrew Long has sinced written about articles on various topics from . Andrew Long writes for a series of websites about Thyroid and health related issues. A main area of discussion and content covers many thyroid news articles including those about. Andrew Long's top article . to your Favourites.

Ronaldwidburn has sinced written about articles on various topics from Buy Rimonabant, Bird Flu and Hair Care. Ronald Widburn is a medical journalist. Ronald recommends visiting for more information on. Ronaldwidburn's top article generates over 1000 views. to your Favourites.