A huge percentage of people with thyroiditis suffer from hair loss.
Is this something that you will just have to deal with for the rest of your life?
The answer is a resounding no.
In this article, we are going to explore exactly why thyroiditis leads to hair loss, what you can do about it, the complexity behind this issue, and some other important takeaways.
Hair loss from Hypothyroidism vs Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
It’s important for you to understand, as the patient, that there are different types of thyroid diseases and that these different types of thyroid diseases cause different hair loss patterns.
In addition, the treatments for these conditions are also sometimes very different.
Just to illustrate this example, consider the difference between hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
Hair loss in hyperthyroidism is typically treated by REDUCING thyroid hormone production by taking thyroid-blocking medicines or by ablating your thyroid gland.
This results in DECREASED thyroid hormone and reduced stimulation on hair follicles and finally hair growth.
In hypothyroidism, on the other hand, hair loss primarily stems from decreased thyroid hormone stimulation on hair follicles (1).
This problem is treated by giving the patient MORE thyroid hormone in the form of thyroid medications (such as levothyroxine/Synthroid/NDT/etc.).
These medications INCREASE thyroid hormone and balance hair follicle stimulation and result in hair growth.
Okay, now that you understand this, we can talk a little bit about thyroiditis and how that differs from other thyroid diseases such as hypothyroidism.
Thyroiditis is a broad term used to define a state of inflammation targeted at the thyroid gland.
The term ‘-itis’ means inflammation and the term thyroid refers to your thyroid gland so if you put them together you get inflammation in the thyroid gland! Easy, right?
The only problem is that this inflammation can be caused by MANY different things.
Trauma, infections, autoimmune disease, and so on, can all trigger this inflammation.
Today we are going to focus primarily on Hashimoto’s thyroiditis which is a type of autoimmune thyroiditis sometimes referred to as AIT.
Why? Because Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the MOST common type of thyroiditis and because most people (more than 80% (2)) with hypothyroidism actually have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
So as I refer to thyroiditis in this article just realize that I am referring to Hashimoto’s unless otherwise specified.
This distinction is very important because the way that thyroiditis impacts your thyroid gland is much different than your run-of-the-mill hypothyroidism.
And the way that it influences your gland also influences your hair.
For instance:
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can cause alternating states of both HYPOthyroidism and HYPERthyroidism, both of which cause hair loss in different ways.
The treatment for one will be different than the other.
But don’t let this confuse you, just realize that it’s an important element of hair loss in those with thyroiditis.
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The Complex Connection Between Hair Loss & Your Thyroid
No one should dispute the absolutely strong connection between thyroid conditions and hair loss.
And this connection extends to ALL types of thyroid diseases, not just thyroiditis which we will be focusing on today.
But the question is not does thyroid disease leads to hair loss, it’s how thyroid disease such as thyroiditis leads to hair loss.
And that question has a completely different answer.
In those with thyroiditis, especially autoimmune thyroiditis, hair loss tends to occur primarily because of inflammation and damage to the thyroid gland.
This results in decreased thyroid function and ultimately a state of hypothyroidism.
This is probably the most common cause of hair loss among those with thyroiditis and the data we have supports this (3):
This chart shows that among those with thyroiditis, about 71% of people complaining of hair loss suffer from diffuse hair loss (diffuse alopecia).
This diffuse hair loss is what is typically caused by low thyroid states because it affects all hair follicles equally.
But, that only accounts for about 70% of the total, which means about 3 out of 10 people with thyroiditis will have hair loss from OTHER causes.
The other causes of hair loss in thyroiditis include hair loss from other autoimmune conditions (alopecia areata (4)), from excess testosterone (androgenetic alopecia (5)), and hair loss of the eyelids/eyelashes (madarosis (6)).
People with thyroiditis can get hair loss from the thyroid disease directly but they can also get other types of hair loss.
And these types of hair loss are important because they account for about 3 out of 10 cases!
This list also doesn’t include hair loss from other variables such as specific thyroid medications (more on that below).
Can Hair Loss be Stopped?
I don’t want you to read this and start to get distraught or stressed out.
The good news is that you don’t necessarily have to suffer from hair loss forever if you have thyroiditis or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
While it can certainly be difficult to put your finger on the exact cause and type of hair loss you are suffering from, it is possible to stop that hair loss and even reverse it.
A big part of doing this, though, is ensuring that you have a physician who is properly trained and who understands the unique causes of hair loss in the thyroid population.
And this is why this information is so important.
The chances are actually fairly high that your doctor isn’t aware of these causes which means you will probably need to be an advocate for yourself.
What can you do?
With that in mind, let’s talk about some of the potential therapies that are available to you to stop your hair loss.
Some of these therapies do require physician assistance meaning you may need your doctor to prescribe you a medication or run certain tests.
So you may need your doctor on board for some of them.
But other therapies can be done at home and right away.
You don’t necessarily need a doctor to tell you to clean up your diet or to consider replacing certain nutrients with over-the-counter supplements.
If you are suffering from hair loss then these are your next steps:
#1. Ensure that you are taking enough thyroid medication.
As I stated previously, 70% of hair loss may be attributed directly to thyroid hormone status and whether or not that thyroid hormone is getting to your cells.
If you are someone taking medication who is STILL suffering from hair loss then this is the first place you want to look.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Are you taking thyroid medication but still suffering from the symptoms of hypothyroidism (fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, cold intolerance, etc.)?
- Do your thyroid lab tests suggest that your dose is optimal and not just normal?
- Did you notice an increase in hair fall when starting/adjusting your thyroid medication?
- Have you only tried T4 only thyroid medications such as levothyroxine or Synthroid?
If you answered yes to any of these questions then you may want to consider either adjusting your dose of thyroid medication or switching to a different type of thyroid medication as a trial.
What if you are someone who has thyroiditis but isn’t taking thyroid medication?
Don’t worry because this information still matters to you.
And if you fit into this category then you have two main options.
The first is to try and get your doctor to prescribe thyroid medication to treat the problem.
Many of you reading this may fall into the sub-clinical category whereby your thyroid lab tests are only slightly abnormal but not abnormal enough for your doctor to treat you (most doctors will only treat if the TSH is greater than 5.0).
There is good evidence to suggest that getting treatment, in this case, is actually a good idea so your efforts might be targeted at making a case for this treatment.
“Approximately 5% to 10% of hypothyroid patients complain about persistent symptoms, despite receiving LT4 treatment and having normal serum TSH levels [33]. Possible explanations of this finding include differences in individual sensitivity, combined autoimmune diseases or AITD on its own, and the inability of LT4 treatment to restore T4 and triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations to physiological levels in the serum and tissue.”
– Recent Advanced in Autoimmu7e Thyroid Disease (7)
The second is to try and naturally treat your thyroiditis.
Let’s say you aren’t a fan of using thyroid medication or maybe it’s not possible for you to obtain thyroid medication because your doctor isn’t willing to prescribe it.
Are you out of luck?
No, because there are things that you can do to naturally improve thyroid function in your body.
The degree of improvement you may or may not experience largely depends on your situation but I would never throw this option out.
There are many therapies available that can be used (many you can take advantage of right away) to treat thyroiditis.
Both of these scenarios result in the same thing.
Increased thyroid hormone in your body.
And that is the key.
Focus on getting MORE thyroid hormone into your cells and activating your hair follicles.
This activation will stimulate hair growth and even stop hair loss.
#2. Ensure that your thyroid medication is not contributing to your hair loss.
This gets into some murky water but it’s still something you should be aware of.
It’s possible that your thyroid medication is actually contributing to your hair loss.
Even though your thyroid medication is supposed to be helping grow your hair back it might actually be doing the opposite.
How is this possible?
Well, it turns out that one of the side effects of thyroid medication is hair loss/hair fall.
This side effect is separate from the potential positive effects that thyroid hormone has on your body.
And several types of thyroid medications are notorious for causing hair loss.
The problem is further complicated by the fact that hair loss/hair growth may be proportional to your dose.
So you might find yourself in a scenario where you need more medication to stop hair loss or you may need less medication (because you are taking too much) to promote hair growth.
Don’t worry too much about this, though, because most people will probably NOT experience this issue.
The good news is that most people (men and women) who start thyroid medication for hair loss in thyroiditis will see improvement relatively quickly.
#3. Reduce inflammation and autoimmune attack on your thyroid gland.
The goal here is to create an environment where your body can thrive.
Naturally treating your thyroid necessarily includes things such as improving your diet, eliminating foods that contribute to obesity and inflammation, reducing your stress, adding exercise to your daily routine, and so on.
All of these elements may not only improve your thyroid status but they can also improve your hair loss directly.
How?
Because you are addressing OTHER factors that also contribute to hair loss.
Factors such as a poor diet which is depleted in nutrients such as zinc and selenium, and high levels of stress which contribute to inflammation and directly to hair loss, will be ‘cleaned’ up as you clean up your lifestyle.
Furthermore, up to 12% of people with thyroiditis may suffer from a second autoimmune condition known as alopecia areata.
And there really aren’t any good medical (pharmaceutical medication) that target this issue.
But cleaning up your lifestyle may actually have a positive impact.
#4. Look at your ferritin.
Ferritin is often used as a marker for iron storage in your body.
Low ferritin is associated with low iron whereas high ferritin is associated with high iron levels.
Why are we talking about iron in an article focusing on hair loss in thyroiditis?
The answer is simple:
Iron (and thereby ferritin) are both incredibly important when it comes to hair growth.
It’s been suggested in some studies (8) that there is a minimal amount of ferritin in the serum required to ensure that your hair actually grows.
In addition, the iron found in pregnancy multivitamins is one of the main reasons that these vitamins are notorious for helping with hair growth.
It’s the iron found in these supplements!
Most multivitamins do not contain iron because taking too much can be harmful. But they ARE included in pregnancy multivitamins.
Iron is also helpful in helping to regulate thyroid function.
Low iron states can exacerbate or worsen existing states of hypothyroidism.
So you have at least two reasons to look at your ferritin and treat it if necessary.
#5. Don’t give up
Lastly, I want to point out that stopping your hair fall and improving hair growth can be a complicated problem.
For most of you, about 70%, you will probably be able to fix or reduce your hair loss in a matter of a few months.
But for the other 30% of you reading this, it may take much longer and the process may be more difficult.
If you fit into this latter category, don’t give up!
Stay with it, keep experimenting, keep looking at other options, and keep reading/researching.
To date, I have probably helped hundreds of people deal with hair loss in the setting of thyroid disease.
And I learn something new with each case that I deal with.
Conclusion
Hair loss in the setting of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is not only common but can also be quite complex.
If you are suffering from hair loss be sure to take a holistic approach to your treatment.
That means looking at factors beyond just thyroid function and exploring things such as other autoimmune diseases, other hormone imbalances, and even nutrient deficiencies.
The truth is that all of these factors are probably playing some role in your current predicament.
But now I want to hear from you:
Do you have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis?
Are you also suffering from hair loss?
Have any therapies helped to either reduce your hair fall or help you grow back to your hair?
If so, which therapies helped? Which didn’t?
Leave your questions or comments below! It’s very important to keep the conversation going so that you can help others who are suffering or in your situation.
Scientific References
#1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4454174/
#2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3016247/
#3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3746235/
#4. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-and-scalp-problems/alopecia-areata#causes
#5. https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/androgenetic-alopecia#genes
#6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3358936/
#7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5053048/
#8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20021982
I have thought about changing my thyroid medications to take at night instead of morning for better absorption, but take magnesium at night to help with sleep. I know you shouldn’t take calcium and iron with thyroid medications, but is melatonin and magnesium okay to take at the same time?
Hi Johna,
You really don’t want to take any supplements at the same time as your thyroid medication. Having said that, you typically don’t need to wait the 4 hours with magnesium as you do with calcium/iron, 30-60 minutes is probably sufficient.
Hi Dr. Child’s, Bear with me as I post you many thoughts/comments across different articles. Trying to see what is going on and find a path back to normal. My labs, since 2012, albeit not comprehensive (TSH and FT3/FT4) seem to indicate Hashimoto’s. Normal TSH, low end of range T3/T4. Always similar numbers. If this (Hashi) is the case, I’ve been asymptomatic until menopause reared her head. Interestingly, about a year ago, when menses was every 2-4 months or so, I took GAIA Thyroid Support and immediately had a period. Questions: 1. how can a thyroid supplement (iodine/kelp/coleus forshkilii, etc.) trigger a period or why? and, 2. The greatest difficulty I am having is what ‘feels’ like hyperthyroid symptoms: sore shoulder, all day anxiety/jitters (relieved by lemon balm or DIM), and new onset eye issues (floaters and worsening myopia). Does Hashimoto’s have these symptoms as well? Will I do more harm than good by trying NDT? Will it lower TSH, and trigger graves-like symptoms, or, would Bi-Est or progesterone cream do this? It is truly perplexing. Wondering if I have ESS. Just trying to determine what is all of a sudden causing graves like symptoms although my body temp indicates hypo (consistently below 98). I also have night sweats. Ugh. Coping but frustrated and MD isn’t helpful.
Thank you. Plans to take my health & hair loss research to the next level. Also plans to make an appointment w/an M.D. of Endocrinology and Metabolism next week. Wondering if that’s the specialist I should invest my money in. Family M.D. said there may be nothing I can do but my Testosterone count is an extremely low 9. Any advice. Thanks again for the hope!
Hi Dr. Childs,
Thank you so very much for this website! It is beyond fantastic!!
I have suffered from brittle and broken hair strands for the past two years. After a year of wearing my hair in a protective style, it grew down to the middle of my back. Within 9 months it has all fallen out. I am certain it is due to my Hashimoto’s condition. I am considering a new program where I take Dutasteride OTA ( made specifically for me by a compounding pharmacy), a DHT inhibitor and Latanoprost topical solution. Any precautions as I am also taking Liothyronine and Levothyroxine as well?
Greetings Dr. Childs,
I just stumbled upon your website and as an individual diagnosed with Graves Disease 40 years ago, am so impressed with the scope of information addressed. I recently suffered a torn Achilles this summer and spent my summer in a non-weight bearing cast which was stressful, but unbeknownst to me, developed hair loss in the crown area with no symptoms of itching or discomfort. My TSH level is 9.4, so my endocrinologist increased my Synthroid to 137 from 125, with plans to repeat blood work after 6 weeks. He diagnosed me with seborrheic dermatitis which I read can be an autoimmune disease brought on by stressful situations. After reading your information, I’m curious as to Hashimoto’s condition, how this differs from Graves Disease, and any recommendations you may provide.
Dr Childs, My hair 2 years ago was my crown of glory. Full, healthy and thick. Now it has thinned out a lot, broken off and dull. I had many symptoms of Hashimotos and know high stress/anxiety and deficencies has been a part of it. My doctor will not put me on meds so I have been researching and treating my condition naturally with diet changes, taking many of the supplements you have mentioned in your articles and over the months many of my other symptoms have diminished or are gone completely but my thinning hair. The loss seems to have slowed down quite a bit but I do not see any regrowth or hair being restored. this is taking a toll on my self confidence. Would taking a T3 med help? my last numbers my Free T3 was in the 2.6 range which was somewhat better than it previously was. Or could my issue be inflammation? and if so, what can I do to fix it that I haven’t already tried. I had my ferritin levels checked also and that test came back good. I’m running out of hope. not sure where to turn or what I can do to change this outcome. I am using your Thyroid Hair regrowth complex but have only been using it for about 3 weeks now or 4? What do you suggest? Thank you.
Hi Pam,
You’d need a full set of labs to see if it’s your thyroid (or not) and it looks like you only have some of those values. Start with a full lab workup + hormone panel (including testosterone and cortisol) and that should help guide your treatment.
Dr. Childs, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s about 1 year ago. My antibodies were 5,711. I went to the Dr. because I was experiencing hair loss, diarrhea, and had an “attack” where my blood pressure went up, my heart raced & I felt dizzy. My TSH was never incredibly high. I’m on 100 mg of Synthroid. I’ve had everything tested hormone wise as well as my ferritin level. My TSH is optimal. I dont know if my antibodies have gone down. I can’t seem to get my hair to grow. I think I’ve slowed the hair loss down but not completely. I’m at a loss what to do. I don’t know what supplements to take & my dr. is no help. She told me to go to the vitamin store and ask what supplements to take. Help please!
Hi Erin,
I created a list of supplements that help Hashimoto’s patients by targeting both thyroid function and antibody levels. I would be sure to check out that list because improving your thyroid function is one way to help reduce hair loss: https://www.restartmed.com/best-supplements-hashimotos/
You can also use supplements such as these to help with thyroid related hair loss: https://www.restartmed.com/product/thyroid-hair-regrowth-complex/