Have you ever noticed your hair feeling a little thinner, or seen more strands on your brush than usual? Hair thinning can happen for many reasons—stress, diet, genetics—but one factor that’s often overlooked is the role of your thyroid. This small but mighty gland plays a huge part in maintaining healthy hair, and when it’s out of balance, the effects can show up in your strands.
In this blog, we’ll explore how thyroid health and hair health are connected, why thyroid imbalances can lead to hair thinning, and what you can do to support both your thyroid and your hair.
What is the Thyroid, and Why is it So Important?
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck. Despite its size, this powerhouse gland regulates some of your body’s most vital functions. From energy production and metabolism to heart rate and mood, the thyroid is constantly working to keep your body balanced.
When it comes to your hair, the thyroid plays an essential role in maintaining a healthy growth cycle. However, when the thyroid isn’t functioning as it should, it can disrupt this cycle, leading to hair loss and changes in texture.
Hair loss and thyroid health
- Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid)
When the thyroid produces too little hormone, processes in your body slow down—including hair growth. This can result in hair thinning, dryness, and brittleness. It’s common to experience diffuse hair loss, where hair sheds evenly across the scalp rather than in patches.
- Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid)
An overactive thyroid produces too much hormone, speeding up bodily processes, including the hair growth cycle. This can lead to premature shedding and thinning hair that feels fine and fragile.
Other symptoms of thyroid disorders, such as fatigue, weight changes, and changes in skin texture, may accompany hair loss.
How Thyroid Health Affects Hair Growth
Hair grows in cycles—growth, rest, and shedding. A healthy thyroid helps keep this cycle balanced. But when thyroid hormone levels are too high or too low, the cycle gets disrupted. This can shorten the growth phase or prolong the shedding phase, leaving hair thinner, weaker, and less vibrant.
Signs of thyroid-related hair loss include:
- Gradual thinning across the scalp
- Hair that feels brittle or changes in texture
- Patchy balding in autoimmune conditions
Tips to support your Thyroid and Hair Health
The good news? Hair loss related to thyroid health is often reversible with proper care and treatment. Here are some steps you can take:
Talk to Your Doctor
If you suspect your thyroid is causing hair loss, consult a medical professional. They may recommend blood tests to check your thyroid hormone levels and start you on a treatment plan.
Nourish Your Thyroid
Your thyroid relies on key nutrients to function at its best, including:
- Iodine: Vital for thyroid hormone synthesis (found in iodised salt and seaweed).
- Selenium: Found in Brazil nuts and seafood, selenium supports hormone production.
- Zinc: Essential for maintaining healthy thyroid function and hair growth. Found in Seafood (particularly Oysters), nuts, seeds and lentils.
Reduce Stress
Chronic stress can impact your thyroid and disrupt your hair’s growth cycle. Practices like yoga, mindfulness, or gentle movement can help.
Support with Supplements
Choose supplements that target both thyroid and hair health. Look for options that include nutrients like selenium, zinc, and biotin.
The Takeaway
If you are experiencing thyroid-related hair loss or thinning, the good news is that it’s often reversible with the right approach. The first step is to consult a medical professional who can help diagnose and treat any thyroid imbalances. Supporting your thyroid with dietary and lifestyle changes can also improve both thyroid function and hair health.
References
- Cohen, B., Cadesky, A,. Jaggi, S,. (2023). Dermatologic manifestations of thyroid disease: a literature review. Frontiers in Endocrinology, Volume 14. 12 May 2023, https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2023.1167890
- Thom, E. (2016). Stress and the Hair Growth Cycle: Cortisol-Induced Hair Growth Disruption. Journal of Drugs in Dematology, 15(8), pp. 1001-1004 https://jddonline.com/articles/stress-and-the-hair-growth-cycle-cortisol-induced-hair-growth-disruption-S1545961616P1001X/
- Van Beek, N., Bodó, E., Kromminga, A., Gáspár, E., Meyer, K., Zmijewski, M. A., Slominski, A., Wenzel, B. E., & Paus, R. (2008). Thyroid hormones directly alter human hair follicle functions: anagen prolongation and stimulation of both hair matrix keratinocyte proliferation and hair pigmentation. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 93(11), 4381–4388. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2008-0283
