Stress for Thyroid Problems: What Your Hair Loss Pattern Says About Your Body and Health Problems

Hair fall is often embarrassing and creates a panic-like state in many people, so read on as we highlight various factors that can affect your hair and lead to hair fall problems. Going through sudden hair loss can be an overwhelming journey that can negatively impact one’s overall health.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Rinki Kapoor, consultant dermatologist, cosmetic dermatologist and dermato-surgeon at The Aesthetic Clinic in Mumbai, shared, “Hair fall is often seen as a minor inconvenience or cosmetic problem, But it could be more than that. Most of the time hair loss can give important clues on various signs and provide valuable information about your overall physical and psychological health.

He further added, “To deal with this serious problem, it becomes important to understand the relationship between hair loss patterns and health conditions. One needs to closely examine these patterns of hair loss to know what their body is trying to say about their physical health. This can help the doctor create a customized treatment plan to reduce hair loss as well as many underlying health conditions.

Relationship between hair loss patterns and health problems

• alopecia areata: This is a type of autoimmune disease due to which hair starts falling in pieces. A person with this condition may experience hair loss not only from the head but also from the eyebrows and eyelashes. A doctor should be consulted immediately for effective solutions. Unfortunately, this condition cannot be cured but with active care and continued efforts the hair can regrow.
• telogen effluvium: This condition is also known as stress-induced hair loss. Due to many physical and physiological stressors a person may experience hair problems such as thinning and hair loss. Various factors may contribute to this condition. This may include conditions such as thyroid disorders, undergoing certain surgeries, pregnancy, childbirth, nutritional deficiencies, sudden weight loss and extreme stress. This is a temporary condition that may get better with time.

• Androgenetic Alopecia: The most common cause of hair loss in women and men. It is also known as hereditary alopecia. This particular condition is significantly linked to genetics and androgens which results in hair loss. In men, hair loss may be more visible on the top of the head, while in women the hair may start thinning over time.
• thyroid disease: Health conditions like thyroid can negatively impact the health of your hair. People suffering from thyroid may experience hair problems such as brittle, dull, coarse and dry hair. Over time it can also make your scalp dry and itchy which can become excessive.
• Nutritional deficiency: If you are choosy about your eating habits, then this habit of yours can be harmful for your hair. Diets that do not contain enough nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, lean proteins, iron and zinc can lead to malnutrition and excessive hair loss.