Two Types of Thyroid Disorders
Thyroid dysfunction usually takes one of two forms:
(1) hypothyroidism – an under active thyroid
(2) hyperthyroidism – an over active thyroid
The Thyroid Gland
The thyroid gland is shaped like a butterfly and located in the throat region. It produces several types of hormones. The most common one is T4, also known as Thyoxin. This hormone is primarily responsible for the body’s temperature and metabolism. It also regulates processes related to growth and development.
Restoring Hair Growth By Treating the Thyroid : How Thyroid Hormone Affects Your Hair Follicles
Hair loss treatment efforts may involve treating thyroid conditions. The follicles on your head are either growing new hair or in a resting phase. When thyroid hormones are imbalanced in the bloodstream, more follicles will be in resting mode. And this will cause profound hair loss, baldness or thinning.
When thyroid hormone levels are higher than usual, hair will grow in much finer and wispier. When there is a deficiency of this hormone, hair loss can occur on the scalp and even body regions.
In many cases hair can also become dry in texture.
Do You Have a Thyroid Condition?
Hair restoration should always start with understanding the causes. Therefore, working with a doctor can offer this type of insight. He or she will be able to give you a blood test to determine whether or not you have a thyroid hormone imbalance.
Besides hair issues, there are other symptoms that characterize this condition. These include:
- lethargy or oversleeping
- sudden weight loss or gain
- insomnia
- intolerance of temperature extremes
- drastic mood shifts (e.g. nervousness and anxiety)
- cognitive difficulties in recalling information and concentrating
- skin dryness
- muscle pain or weakness
- irregular menstruation
Restoring normal hair growth can be as simple as taking medication such as levothyroxine. This will help create a balanced level of thyroid hormones in the blood. Improvements will not be instant, but can be observed after the first month or treatment in most cases.