Most people lose up to 100 hair strands per day. This is natural and a normal part of the hair growth cycle. If you lose more strands than that, though, you could be dealing with an underlying health problem.
There are many potential causes of hair loss, but one of the most common is thyroid dysfunction. Here’s what to know about common hair-impacting thyroid issues and how vitamins for thyroid hair loss can help.
Vitamins for Thyroid Hair Loss
Your thyroid produces a variety of hormones. When something goes wrong and your thyroid produces too few hormones, it causes a condition called hypothyroidism. If the thyroid produces too many hormones, it leads to hyperthyroidism.
Both of these conditions can cause the hair to become brittle and unhealthy. They can also lead to hair thinning or baldness. In some cases, thyroid issues can become so severe that removal of the thyroid gland, or thyroidectomy, is required. However, if you catch and address the problem early on, you may be able to rectify it in a noninvasive way. Consuming more thyroid-supporting vitamins and minerals can help support thyroid health and may also correct some types of hair loss. Here are some of the top minerals and vitamins for thyroid hair loss.
Zinc
Zinc is an essential mineral that supports many functions in the body. It’s found within all bodily tissues and plays a big role in cellular division. It stimulates the thyroid and may help people who have hypothyroidism. It also helps produce keratin, which is an important component of hair.
One key fact about zinc is that having either too much or too little of it in your body can lead to hair loss. Therefore, it is not recommended for people with hyperthyroidism to take zinc supplements. However, people with hypothyroidism may experience decreased hair loss and other thyroid benefits when supplementing with zinc. In addition to supplements, zinc occurs in red meat, nuts, beans, poultry, and whole grains.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is one of the most important vitamins for thyroid hair loss. It helps regulate hormone levels and protect the thyroid against damage. To increase your vitamin C intake for the sake of your adrenal and thyroid gland health, consider taking a supplement. You can also increase your intake of vitamin C-rich foods such as strawberries, broccoli, oranges, and tomatoes.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is another important vitamin for thyroid hair loss. It helps reduce oxidative damage to the thyroid gland and assists in converting the thyroid hormone T4 to T3. Vitamin E supplementation may be particularly beneficial for people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or hypothyroidism.
In addition to preventing hair loss by boosting the health of the thyroid gland, vitamin E can support healthy hair growth by improving blood flow to the scalp. It also reduces oxidative stress on the hair follicles. Oxidative stress is related to hair loss, so it’s important to prevent it whenever possible. Besides a quality vitamin E supplement, you can also boost your vitamin E consumption by eating more seeds, nuts, leafy greens, and avocados.
Copper
Even though it’s a mineral and isn’t technically one of the vitamins for thyroid hair loss, copper still deserves to be included in any list of beneficial ingredients for hair and thyroid health. It prevents the thyroid gland from excreting too many hormones into the bloodstream. It also stimulates proper thyroid function and hair growth.
Like zinc, it’s important to maintain a good balance of copper in the body. Too much or too little of this trace mineral can cause a type of hair loss called telogen effluvium. If you’re not sure whether you have enough copper in your body, consider requesting a blood test from your physician.
B-Complex Vitamins
B-complex vitamins include:
- Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
- Vitamin B3 (niacin)
- Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
- Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
- Vitamin B7 (biotin)
- Vitamin B9 (folic acid)
- Vitamin B12 (cobalamins)
These vitamins for thyroid hair loss help your body create thyroid hormones. If your vitamin B levels are low, you’re more likely to feel chronic fatigue associated with hypothyroidism. You’re also more likely to experience excessive hair loss. B complex vitamins help to nourish the scalp, strengthen the hair shafts, and build healthy strands. Foods rich in B vitamins include leafy greens, meat, seeds, eggs, and dairy products. If you decide to take a vitamin B supplement, look for one that contains all or most of the B-complex vitamins listed above.
How To Control Hair Fall From Thyroid Issues
In addition to taking supplements or consuming more foods with vitamins for thyroid hair loss, you may be wondering how to stop the hair loss now. Here are a few suggestions for preventing excessive hair fall while you work to heal your thyroid:
- Use a mild shampoo without harsh chemicals
- Avoid tight hairstyles such as ponytails, buns or braids that pull too hard on the hair
- Stop using high-heat styling tools and damaging bleaching treatments
- Consider trying low-light therapy to stimulate your hair follicles
You should also eat a nutritious diet with minimally processed foods if you want to grow back healthy, strong hair.
Will Hair Loss From Thyroid Problems Grow Back?
In most cases, your hair will grow back once you treat the underlying thyroid condition. Keep in mind that hair regrowth doesn’t happen overnight. It can be a slow process that spans several months. Be patient and give your body time to heal from its thyroid issues.
Take the Next Step if Vitamins for Thyroid Hair Loss Don’t Work
If your hair doesn’t grow back despite taking vitamins for thyroid hair loss and attempting to balance your hormones, your doctor may recommend more drastic measures. If your thyroid doesn’t return to normal function despite medical and lifestyle interventions, it may be time to remove it. A thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the thyroid gland. It may be the appropriate step if you have a goiter, thyroid cancer, or hyperthyroidism. To schedule a thyroid consultation and learn what next steps you should take, contact Arizona Premier Surgery.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/vitamin-b-complex#What-is-vitamin-B-complex?
https://thyroidadvisor.com/effects-zinc-thyroid/
https://www.livestrong.com/article/502167-the-effect-of-vitamin-e-on-the-thyroid/
https://thyroidadvisor.com/copper-thyroid-benefits/
https://www.livestrong.com/article/483255-vitamin-b-complex-hypothyroidism/
https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/vitamin-b-complex#What-is-vitamin-B-complex?