Hair loss through the thyroid gland

Introduction

Hair loss, in which more than 100 hairs fall out per day, is called effluvium. Suffering from it is an enormous psychological burden, especially for women. Often the cause is a malfunction of the thyroid gland!

Due to an overfunction, for example, the hair grows much faster and becomes thinner and thinner and falls out more often. An underfunction of the thyroid gland can also be the cause. The thyroid gland produces the hormones T3 (L-triiodothyronine) and T4 (L-tetraiodothyronine), which play an essential role in many growth and metabolic processes in the body.

Cause

The thyroid gland controls many organs in the body, including the skin, the largest organ in the human body. It is responsible for controlling growth and for many metabolic pathways. Everything is controlled by the hormones T3 and T4.

If there is a dysfunction, both an underfunction (hypothyroidism) and an overfunction (hyperthyroidism), the thyroid gland can no longer function properly, which results in a change in hair structure. Similar can be observed with the toenails and fingernails. Diffuse hair loss is observed especially in the case of hyperthyroidism.

This hyperactivity can have various causes, such as an autoimmune disease (Graves’ disease) or the intake of iodine-containing medication. Typically, other symptoms such as a fast heartbeat (tachycardia), diarrhoea, increased sweating and heat intolerance occur. Thyroid gland surgery may be necessary in the context of various diseases.

In this procedure, either parts of the thyroid gland or the entire thyroid gland is removed. A complete removal of the thyroid gland means that the body can no longer produce its own thyroid hormones. This results in an iatrogenic hypothyroidism caused by a medical intervention.

For this reason, after removal of the thyroid gland, thyroid hormones are replaced with medication, usually L-thyroxine, for the rest of the patient’s life. If the dosage is not high enough, this also results in hypothyroidism. Brittle and brittle hair is typical.

However, hair loss is not to be expected. However, since the hair breaks off more often, the impression of hair loss can arise. In the case of such an underfunction, the dose of thyroid hormone must be increased.

If the dose of thyroid hormones replaced by medication is too high, this can lead to hyperthyroidism. This can lead to real hair loss. In this case a reduction of the drug dose is necessary. The hair loss is then reversible and the hair grows back.