Accompanying symptom: tiredness

Hair loss is a typical symptom of widespread hyperthyroidism. The high concentration of thyroid hormones also leads to a number of other symptoms. These include fatigue and, above all, rapid fatigue. This is mainly due to sleep disorders, from which those affected often suffer. At the same time, a feeling of inner restlessness and tension is also evident.

Symptoms

The symptoms must be differentiated between hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. In the case of hypothyroidism, not only the hair on the head is usually affected, but also the rest of the body hair. Due to the limited function of the thyroid gland, the hair is also brittle and is no longer properly formed.

In addition, hair diameter and hair density decrease and the hair looks dull and dull. In the case of hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, the hair grows much too quickly and breaks off easily, becoming thinner and thinner. They grow very fast and reach only a short length due to the fragility and because they enter the resting phase much earlier.

But hair loss and reduced or increased hormone secretion do not always have to correlate with each other. Sometimes there is a severe thyroid dysfunction and yet this does not manifest itself in hair loss. In addition to hair loss, there are numerous other symptoms such as sensitivity to cold, lack of drive, dry skin and constipation: Restlessness, palpitations, weight loss, frequent bowel movements, warm skin and heat intolerance. An overactive thyroid gland can cause hair loss. Typically, the hair loss is noticeable by an increased loss of hair on the head and overall light hair.Especially people who tend to have more body hair, for example on the legs and arms, may notice a lighter hair in these areas.

Treatment

Usually the thyroid gland dysfunction is treated directly. When the formation of hormones or the hormone content in the body has regenerated, the structure of the hair can return to normal. In the case of hypothyroidism, the missing hormones T3 and T4 are usually supplied in tablet form, as it is often not possible to determine the causative disease, which causes the thyroid gland to no longer function properly.

In most cases the drug levothyroxine is administered. It acts in the organism like T4, which is normally produced in the body. In most cases it is not a problem for the body to convert T4 into T3, so this form of therapy is usually sufficient.

In some cases, however, a combination therapy with T3 and T4 is necessary. It is recommended to take the tablets on an empty stomach and then wait about 40 minutes before having breakfast. Hormone monitoring usually takes place relatively late, after about six weeks, because only then can one reliably tell whether there has been an improvement.

It therefore takes a relatively long time, as the pituitary gland needs a certain amount of time to adjust to the altered hormone concentrations. An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) is treated as follows: Since too many hormones are produced here, one has to administer drugs that reduce the production of the hormones. This is done with drugs that are generally known as thyrostatic agents. Before the thyroid hormones T3 and T4 can be produced, iodine must be incorporated into the body. The drugs mentioned above can stop or minimize this integration.