Yes, levothyroxine, the main treatment for a sluggish thyroid gland, may cause hair loss in addition to other side effects. You may experience partial hair loss in the first few months of treatment, but this usually resolves and hair growth goes back to normal within a short time.
Hair loss and antithyroid treatment
Antithyroid drugs (carbimazole and propylthiouracil) can, in rare cases, cause diffuse hair loss. It may be very difficult to tell whether the hair loss is due to the effects of the previous overactivity of the thyroid or the anti-thyroid drugs.
High levels of levothyroxine can speed up bone loss, essentially replicating what would happen if you were hyperthyroid. As you age, your thyroid requirements change, so a dose right for you in your 40s may be too high when you reach your 60s. Lifelong monitoring is needed to keep your thyroid hormone levels balanced.
The studies proving this are not limited in numbers, they demonstrate an association between long-term levothyroxine therapy and increased risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, and fractures.
Thyroid hair loss often looks like a general thinning across your scalp or eyebrows. Thyroid hair loss might develop slowly; patients with hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism notice a gradual thinning of their hair rather than localized bald spots or missing patches.
It can be the result of heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions or a normal part of aging. Anyone can lose hair on their head, but it's more common in men. Baldness typically refers to excessive hair loss from your scalp. Hereditary hair loss with age is the most common cause of baldness.
To conclude, levothyroxine overdose may lead to hair loss and should be watched for.
Common thyroid conditions such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease are autoimmune disorders, which can sometimes result in hair loss. The hair loss is typically reversed after your thyroid hormone levels are normalized. But this may take some time.
Adults usually start with a dose between 50 micrograms and 100 micrograms taken once a day. This may be increased gradually over a few weeks to between 100 micrograms and 200 micrograms taken once a day. Some people, such as over-50s or people with heart disease, may start on a lower dose.
Because of this, certain thyroid medications like levothyroxine can be seen purely as a weight-loss tool. The reason why thyroid medication would be prescribed exclusively for weight loss is due to its ability to increase metabolism and help individuals to burn more energy.
Only riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12 deficiencies have been associated with hair loss.
Extreme tiredness is a commonly reported side effect of Levothyroxine. Many people begin treatment but feel no better after starting medication, which may be because they are experiencing this effect.
Can thin hair become thicker again? A person cannot change the texture of their hair. However, the hair may grow back after chemotherapy or pregnancy, for example.
“Vitamins are essential for healthy hair growth and may help in preventing hair shedding and thinning,” says Michele Green, M.D., a cosmetic dermatologist in New York. “The best vitamins for hair growth include B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E, zinc, biotin and iron.
Seeing a visible scalp is often a sign of fine hair, and genetics can be the primary cause for this type of hair loss. However, other common causes of thinning hair include stress, hormone imbalances, certain medications, illness or infections and malnutrition.
Ginkgo Biloba B+ for Hair Regrowth
During the course of her studies, Simone discovered the powerful antioxidant properties of Ginkgo Biloba B+, and its positive effects on hair growth stimulation to help with thyroid disease hair loss. Ginkgo helps improve the body's natural responses, and support scalp health.
Add anti-inflammatory foods
The next step in reversing your thyroid hair loss is to make sure you aren't consuming inflammatory foods like processed foods, fried foods, and sugar. You can consume anti-inflammatory foods like turmeric and ginger that are likely to improve your endocrine function.
The TSH test
When the body produces too much or too little thyroid hormone this may lead to hair shedding. The single best test for thyroid problems is a blood test for “TSH” or thyroid stimulating hormone. If the TSH is abnormal, several additional thyroid tests can be ordered, including a "free T4".
Common side effects of levothyroxine include heat intolerance, a fast heart rate, and diarrhea. More serious levothyroxine side effects are also possible. If you experience side effects like tremors or mood changes, talk to your healthcare provider as soon as you can.
Side Effects of Thyroid Medication
Increased sweating. Mood swings/irritability. Nervousness. Fatigue.
An underactive thyroid is a lifelong condition, so you'll usually need to take levothyroxine for the rest of your life. If you're prescribed levothyroxine because you have an underactive thyroid, you're entitled to a medical exemption certificate.